Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Man of the 12th Century & Doctor of the Church

Today, August 20th is the feast day of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, patron saint of Cistercians, Burgundy, beekeepers, candlemakers, Gibraltar, Queens' College, Cambridge, Speyer Cathedral, and the Knights Templar. The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, mainly known as the Knights Templar, was a French military order of the Catholic faith, and one of the wealthiest and most popular military orders in Western Christianity. They were founded in 1119 to defend pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, with their headquarters located there on the Temple Mount, and existed for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages.

Bernard of Clairvaux, venerated as Saint Bernard, was an abbot, mystic, co-founder of the Knights Templar, adviser of popes, preacher of the Second Crusade, defender of the faith, healer of a schism, Scripture scholar, theologian, and eloquent preacher and a major leader in the reformation of the Benedictine Order through the nascent Cistercian Order. Franciscan Media calls him Europe's Man of the 12th Century, yet, Bernard "still retained a burning desire to return to the hidden monastic life of his younger days."

After the death of Pope Honorius II in 1130, the college of cardinals was divided over his successor. A majority of cardinals elected Pietro as successor with the name of Anacletus II, while a minority elected Cardinal Gregorio Papareschi (Innocent II) as successor. The claimants were both consecrated on February 23, leading to a serious schism. Anacletus, backed by most Romans and by the Frangipani, forced Innocent to flee from Rome to France, where he was supported by Abbot St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who attacked Anacletus’ Jewish ancestry. Bernard, a major proponent of Pope Innocent II, argued effectively for his legitimacy over the Antipope Anacletus II. Although Anacletus was allied with the ambitious and powerful Roger II after investing him as king of Sicily (1130), Innocent’s supporters, including the Holy Roman emperor Lothar II and the Byzantine emperor John II Comnenus, were overwhelming.


The eloquent abbot advocated crusades in general and convinced many to participate in the unsuccessful Second Crusade, notably through a famous sermon at Vézelay (1146).



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. Saint Bernard's Prayer to the shoulder wound of Jesus is often published in Catholic prayer books. His 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. 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." He also wrote many letters, treatises, and sermons.

Bernard was canonized just 21 years after his death by Pope Alexander III. In 1830 Pope Pius VIII declaredim a Doctor of the Church.