Today, August 20, is the memorial of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux.
Doctor of the Church.
Born to the French nobility in 1090 in Burgundy, France, Bernard was the brother of Saint Humbeline and Blesseds Guy, Gerard, and Nivard.
At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the Cistercian abbey of Citeaux; his father and another brother joined soon after.
He founded and led the monastery of Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and eventually 160 daughter houses. He revised and reformed the Cistercians.
He served as advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young.
He attended the Second Lateran Council and fought Albigensianism. He helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II and preached in France, Italy, and Germany. He assisted in organizing the Second Crusade.
He was a friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O’More. He served as spiritual advisor to Blessed Pope Eugene III, who had originally been one of his monks. He became the first Cistercian monk added in the calendar of saints. His theology and Mariology are major works that still influence many in the Church.
Bernard died of natural causes at age 63 in 1153. Pope Alexander III canonized him in 1174, a mere 21 years after the holy abbot’s death.
He was proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 1830 by Pope Pius VIII.