Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church (Part Nine)

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20 August (Feast of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church)
Double
White Vestments

English: Stained glass representing St. Bernard of Clairvaux. Upper Rhine, circa 1450.

Français : Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, vitrail. Rhin supérieur, vers 1450.

Source/Photographer: Jastrow (2006)

(Wikimedia Commons)

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was named a Doctor of the Church in 1830. At the 800th anniversary of his death, Pope Pius XII issued an encyclical on Bernard, Doctor Mellifluus, in which he labelled him "The Last of the Fathers." Bernard did not reject human philosophy which is genuine philosophy, which leads to God; he differentiates between different kinds of knowledge, the highest being theological. Three central elements of Bernard's Mariology are how he explained the virginity of Mary, the "Star of the Sea", how the faithful should pray to the Virgin Mary, and how he relied on the Virgin Mary as Mediatrix.

Bernard also held some doctrines which the Reformers would later rekindle at the beginnings of the Protestant movement. Some people have therefore equated him with a Protestant before there were Protestants. In truth, he held to a mix of the Reformers' doctrines and the doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church of his day. Bernard fought against the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Also of great importance to the Reformers would be Bernard's conception of justification. Calvin quotes Bernard several times to show the historical validity of Sola Fide, which Luther described as the article upon which the Church stands or falls. Calvin also quotes him in setting forth his doctrine of a forensic alien righteousness, or, as it is commonly called, imputed righteousness.

Bernard was instrumental in re-emphasising the importance of Lectio Divina and contemplation on Scripture within the Cistercian Order. Bernard had observed that, when Lectio Divina was neglected, monasticism suffered. Bernard considered Lectio Divina, and contemplation guided by the Holy Spirit, the keys to nourishing Christian spirituality.

Bernard of Clairvaux, as shown in the church of Heiligenkreuz Abbey, near Baden bei Wien, Lower Austria. Portrait (1700) with the true effigy of the Saint by Georg Andreas Wasshuber (1650-1732), (painted after a statue in Clairvaux with the true effigy of the saint)

Author: Georges Jansoone.

Photo: June 2006.

(Wikimedia Commons).

Bernard's theology and Mariology continue to be of major importance, particularly within the Cistercian and Trappist Orders. Bernard led to the foundation of 163 monasteries in different parts of Europe. At his death, they numbered 343. His influence led Pope Alexander III to launch reforms that would lead to the establishment of Canon Law. He was the first Cistercian monk placed on the Calendar of Saints and was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 18 January 1174. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church. He is fondly remembered as the "Mellifluous Doctor" (the Honey-Sweet-voiced Doctor) for his eloquence. The Cistercians honour him, as only the founders of Orders are honoured, because of the widespread activity which he gave to the Order.

The works of Bernard are as follows:

De Gradibus Superbiae, his first treatise;
Homilies on the Gospel, Missus est, written in 1120;
"Apology to William of St. Thierry" against the claims of the monks of Cluny;
"On the Conversion of Clerics," a book addressed to the young ecclesiastics of Paris, written in 1122;
De Laude Novae Militiae, addressed to Hugues de Payens, first Grand Master and Prior of Jerusalem (1129). This is a eulogy of the military Order, instituted in 1118, and an exhortation to the knights to conduct themselves with courage in their several stations;
De Amore Dei", wherein Bernard argues that the manner of loving God is to love without measure and gives the different degree of this love;
"Book of Precepts and Dispensations" (1131), which contains answers to questions upon certain points of the Rule of St Benedict, from which the abbot can, or cannot, dispense;
De Gratia et Libero Arbitrio, in which the Roman Catholic Dogma of Grace and Free Will was defended according to the principles of St Augustine;
De Consideratione ("On Consideration"), addressed to Pope Eugenius III;
De Officiis Episcoporum, addressed to Henry, Archbishop of Sens.

His sermons are also numerous:

On Psalm 90, Qui habitat, written about 1125;
"On the Song of Songs". [with an autobiographical passage, sermon 26, mourning the death of his brother, Gerard];
There are also 86 "Sermons for the Whole Year."

530 letters survive.

Many letters, treatises, and other works, falsely attributed to him survive, such as the l'Echelle du Cloître, les Méditations, and l'Edification de la Maison intérieure.

Saint Bernard's Prayer to the Shoulder Wound of Jesus is often published in Catholic prayer books.

Saint Bernard's views on the Virgin Mary also influenced other saints, e.g., in the classic text on Mariology, "The Glories of Mary", Saint Alphonsus Liguori based his analysis of Mary as the "Gate to Heaven" on Saint Bernard's statement: No one can enter Heaven, unless by Mary, as though through a door.

Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" places him as the last guide for Dante, as he travels through the Empyrean (Paradiso, cantos XXXI–XXXIII). Dante's choice appears to be based on Bernard's contemplative mysticism, his devotion to Mary, and his reputation for eloquence.

He is also the attributed author of the poem, often translated in English hymnals as, "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded".

THIS CONCLUDES THE ARTICLE ON SAINT BERNARD, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.