About the same time, bernard was visited at clairvaux by st. Saint bernard, the founding abbot of clairvaux abbey in burgundy, was one of the most commanding church leaders in the first half of the twelfth century as well as one of the greatest spiritual masters of all times and the most powerful propagator of the cistercian reform. The following introduction to and selection from st. When bernard took to composing his series of eightysix sermons on the song of songs he was. A prolific writer of sermons, he was declared a doctor of the church in 1830. Stephen sent the young bernard, at the head of a band of monks, the third to leave citeaux, to found a new house at vallee dabsinthe, or valley of bitterness, in the diocese of langres. The popularity of a saint the way in which bernard of clairvaux has come down to us is molded by history, hagiography, legends, and miracle tales, but most of all his name was made famous by his own sermons. Bernard, st, one of the most illustrious christian teachers and representatives of monasticism in the middle ages, was born at fontaines, near dijon, in burgundy, in 1091. Ten thousand dollars as a special presentation from the spring 2012 catalogue, we will be pleased to offer this book in concordance with the two additional george wolf printings which comprise the whole of the bernard. Reprinted with permission from monsignor charles pope. Augustine, 1984 bernard of clairvaux, the twelve steps of humility and pride. The mature and most active phase of bernards career occurred between 1 and 1145.
Monsignor charles pope is the pastor of holy comforter st. Bernard of clairvaux was a brilliant preacher and polished writer, but above all a profound mystic who sought to bring all his hearers to the experience of god. Bernard of clairvaux, whom thomas merton calls the last of the fathers, 8 was a great cistercian spiritual writer of the middle ages. The son of a knight and vassal of the duke of burgundy who perished in the first crusade, bernard.
As a young abbot he published a series of sermons on the annunciation. Ten thousand dollars as a special presentation from the spring 2012 catalogue, we will be pleased to offer this book in concordance with the two additional george wolf printings which comprise the whole of the bernard opera. Many records from burgundys monasteries are kept here, but one is particularly astonishing, the life of abbot bernard of clairvaux. This brief biography of saint bernard of clairvaux highlights the life of a great saint. Bernard of clairvauxs writings on violence and the sacred. Bernard of clairvaux, compiled and translated from the 1508 edition of his sermons and letters, with introduction by the right rev. One exception to evans otherwise insightful claim might be bernards mysticism. Bernard of clairvaux are available as a book from amazon. By 1118 clairvaux was able to found its first daughter housethe first of some 70 cistercian monasteries bernard founded which in turn founded another 100 monasteries in bernards lifetime. In 1115 he became the founding abbot of clairvaux abbey, whence his name, bernard of clairvaux. Bernard of clairvaux during advent for reflection during the first week of advent. A very fine example of the sermons of saint bernard of clairvaux, with five hundred years provenance. He founded the abbey of clairvaux, was a noted preacher, defender of church teachings against heresies, and author of 86 sermons.
Cist 1090 20 august 1153 was a french abbot and the primary reformer of the cistercian order. Cistercians around the world continue to live the monastic life of which bernard of clairvaux was the propagator and theologian. Some letters of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux by st. Sermon 3 the kiss of the lords feet, hands and mouth 1 sermon 4 the kiss of the lords feet, hands and mouth 2. At first glance, it is hard to imagine reading a collection of sermons on the song of songs from a celibate, medieval monk. Bernard also advocated for the second crusade and preached rather stirring sermons promoting it. This volume contains saint bernard s sermons for the liturgical seasons of lent and easter.
Included are sermons for the purification, septuagesima. Bernard 10911153 was centrally responsible for the early expansion of the cistercian order throughout europe. Bernard s sermons on the song of songs was done by prof. Bernard of clairvaux is clearly one of the greatest preachers of all time. This bernard named claire vallee, of clairvaux, on the 25th of june, 1115, and the names of bernard and clairvaux thence became inseparable. Bernard interprets the song of songs in reference to the love between god and the soul. Bernard reminds us that not only did god give us life, but he gave us himself. Bernard of clairvaux, compiled and translated from the 1508 edition of his sermons. This is a work that includes both bernard s sermon to fellow clerics in paris as well as a collection of sermons for lent that goes through psalm 91. In partially meeting this responsibility the founder of clairvaux abbey, and subsequently named doctor of the church, wrote more than 700 sermons. Iii, 1878 bernard, st, one of the most illustrious christian teachers and representatives of monasticism in the middle ages, was born at fontaines, near dijon, in burgundy, in 1091. Bernard of clairvaux catholic church scottsdale, az.
Bernard surveys the four types of love that christians experience as they grow in their relationship with god. Top 25 quotes by bernard of clairvaux of 108 az quotes. His masterpiece, his sermons on the song of songs, was begun in 16. Spirit and experience in bernard of clairvaux kilian mcdonnell, o. From the encyclopaedia britannica, 9th edition, vol. Bernards sermons on the song of songs was done by prof. Tens of thousands heard his powerful preaching, and he personally attracted and helped many hundreds of men to follow a call to monastic life. Rozanne elder bernard of clairvaux and peter abelard. St bernard on the song of songs the matheson trust.
Born of burgundian landowning aristocracy, bernard. He touches on how bernard relates experience to the symbolic order, the. Michael casey ocso bernard and william of saint thierry. Bernard of clairvaux and mysticism by stephen nichols. The twelve steps up the mountain of pride according to st. Bernard of clairvaux catholic church is located in northeast scottsdale, az at the base of the mcdowell mountains. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. The popularity of a saint the way in which bernard of clairvaux has come down to us is molded by history, hagiography, legends, and miracle tales, but most of all his name was made famous by his own sermons and writings. For your body for your spirit strangers to sacrifice. Bernard was inspired by the example of a new religious congregation, the cistercians, who had abandoned the relative ease and security of benedictine monasticism of that day to live according to the primitive pattern of st. Bernard of clairvaux our life cistercian abbey our. William of saint thierry uses the same word in his biography of bernard when he.
Today i would like to talk about st bernard of clairvaux, called the last of the. Issue 24 bernard of clairvaux christian history magazine. On the song of songs read and download pdf bernard kilian j. Bernard of clairvaux christian history christianity today. Malachi would gladly have taken the cistercian habit, but the sovereign pontiff would not give his permission. Almost every historian writing about the 11th and 12th centuries includes bernards name and accomplishments, both ecclesiastical and political. A parish of the diocese of phoenix, we are a vibrant, growing community and. Bernard of clairvaux, who was said to have carried the twelfth century on his shoulders. Katherine gill for her courses at yale divinity school and boston college. Within four years, a dying community had recovered enough vitality to establish a new house in the nearby valley of wormwoods, with bernard as abbot. Bernard of clairvaux sermons on the song of songs bernard of clairvaux ca.
Divine will home menu 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version. Clearly, he whom she calls back is not there, yet he has been, not long before, for she seems to be calling him back at the moment of his. Bernard of clairvaux 10901153 had the responsibility of teaching monks through commentary on the rule of benedict and scripture. In the year 1111, at the age of 20, bernard left his home to join the monastic community of citeaux. Bernard, called abbot of clairvaux, wisheth long life in. Peters square, vatican city, 21 october 2009, accessed 15 december 2011. I answer, the reason for loving god is god himself. These nine volumes offer an intriguing glimpse into the life and works of st. Bernard of clairvaux, born 1090, probably fontainelesdijon, near dijon, burgundy francedied august 20, 1153, clairvaux, champagne. Bernard uses the term experience, concentrating principally on the pneumatological context in his sermons on the song of songs. Saint bernard of clairvaux, cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of clairvaux and one of the most influential churchmen of his time.
I would be curious as to which part of the sermon from bernard i quoted luther. Bernard of clairvaux was both a monk and great supporter of the crusades. Bernard of clairvaux preaching and ministry ignited a remarkable revival in his day which ushered untold numbers into a personal relationship with jesus. Igniting flames of revival across europe, bernard of clairvaux was one of the most powerful. His five brothers, two uncles, and some 30 young friends followed him into the monastery. This volume contains saint bernards sermons for the liturgical seasons of lent and easter. His message continued through his writings and fueled spiritual renewals with the beguines, francis of assisi, friends of god and others over the following centuries. He joined the fifteenyearold monastery of citeaux in 11. Bernard was born near dijon in burgundy the eastern part of modern france, the third of six sons and a daughter of a nobleman, tescelin sorrel, lord of fontaines, and his wife, aleth of montbard, her. Commentary on the song of songs fire and ice bernard of clairvaux. These sermons or commentary on the song of songs by st. Life and works of saint bernard, abbot of clairvaux.
Bernard s sermons on the blessed virgin mary, translated from the original latin by a priest of mount melleray, chumleigh. The legacy of saint bernard of clairvaux to 20thcentury christians, as multifaceted as it is, lies most significantly in his profound human psychology of selfesteem and selfawareness grounded. There can be no doubt that they were spoken in latin, as we have them now. Bernard on the song of songs by st bernard of clairvaux, edited by darrell wright. Bernard of clairvaux is a 9volume collection of the theologians letters and over 100 of his sermons, including substantial biographical information on the famous saint get. Pdf bernard of clairvaux download full pdf book download. Bernard of clairvaux, scottsdale, az for body and spirit no one has greater love ones life for ones friends. Nov 14, 2014 sermons on the song of songs of clairvaux, bernard on. Bernard s sermons were all delivered in the chapterhouse at clairvaux. Bernard of clairvaux song of songs hymns and chants. Bernard of clairvaux download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. His parents were tescelin, lord of fontaines, and aleth of montbard, both belonging to the highest nobility of burgundy.
Born to a noble family near dijon france in 1090 ad, st. Malachi, metropolitan of the church in ireland, and a very close friendship was formed between them. He also wrote on theological subjects such as grace and free will, and explored the theology of holi. Bernard of clairvaux 2 dedication to the illustrious lord haimeric, cardinal deacon of the roman church, and chancellor. Stephen harding, he was sent in 1115 to begin a new monastery near aube. Saint bernard was a gifted and prolific writer of theological treatises, scriptural commentaries, letters, and many sermons. Washington catholic online we present a beautiful portion of a homily preached by st. One exception to evans otherwise insightful claim might be bernard. Bernard of clairvaux, a twelfthcentury cistercian abbot and doctor of the church. Bernard of clairvaux is currently considered a single author. As the founder and abbot of the abbey of clairvaux, st. As abbot of the cistercian monastery of clairvaux, which he founded, he was constantly involved in the political, religious, and philosophical issues of his time, in. This theme is greatly developed by bernard in his commentary and homilies on the song of songs. Bernard of clairvaux pillar of the church britannica.
Sermons of saint bernard of clairvaux for advent, catholic. Famous commentary by saint bernard of clairvaux on the old testament book, the song of songs, or canticle of canticles. Sermon 3 the kiss of the lords feet, hands and mouth 1 sermon. Bernard of clairvaux and his song of songs sermon series.
In these years both clairvaux and rome, the centre of gravity of medieval christendom, focussed upon bernard. St bernard of clairvaux in particular produced a series of 86 sermons interpreting the. As with all the works of bernard of clairvaux im torn. Cisterc 2 1958, 300302 is used in the roman office of readings for the memorial of st. The sermons on the song of songs are among the most famous and beautiful examples of medieval scriptural exegesis. Tradition in bernard of clairvauxs sermons on the song of songs. Hitherto you have been wont to seek prayers from me, not the solving of problems. Almost every historian writing about the 11th and 12th centuries includes bernard. Yet, in this volume, 20 of the 86 sermons on this scriptural book reveal bernard of clairvaux as a brilliant and transcending mind. Mediator and counsellor for several civil and ecclesiastical councils and for theological debates during seven years of. Bernard, called abbot of clairvaux, wisheth long life in the lord and death in the lord.
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