St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Feast Day: August 20
Canonized: January 18, 1174
Patron of beekeepers, candle makers

St. Bernard was born into a wealthy Catholic family in France. Originally trained as a soldier, he subsequently joined the Cistercians, and led 12 monks to start a new community in Clairvaux (“the valley of light”). Many men joined, including his widowed father, siblings, and cousins. As abbot, he spent long hours in prayer, realizing the value of solitude as a time to communicate with God and ‘hear’ His will.

Bernard was reluctant to leave monastic seclusion, but because of his great ability as arbiter, was summoned frequently to help solve Church disputes – like in 1130, when both Innocent II and Anacletus II each claimed to have been elected pope. Innocent II would prevail.

He battled heresies and vehemently defended Catholicism – his most popular work being the Apologia. He also urged Christians to defend Europe against the threat of the Ottoman Turks. Known widely for his scriptural knowledge and eloquent sermons, Bernard unfailingly pursued his first Love – and invited others to Christ through Catholicism.

When he died in 1153 there were some 400 Cistercian monasteries in Europe, 163 of which he founded. He was named a Doctor of the Church in 1830.