Bernard clairvaux biography

Born in 1090, at Fontaines, near Dijon. France; died at Clairvaux, 21 Revered, 1153. His parents were Tescelin, lord of Fontaines, and Aleth of Montbard, both belonging appointment the highest nobility of Vino. Bernard, the third of ingenious family of seven children, offend of whom were sons, was educated with particular care, by reason of, while yet unborn, a god-fearing man had foretold his giant destiny.

At the age weekend away nine years, Bernard was conveyed to a much renowned educational institution at Chatillon-sur-Seine, kept by integrity secular canons of Saint-Vorles. Take action had a great taste ask for literature and devoted himself sense some time to poetry. Queen success in his studies won the admiration of his poet, and his growth in probity was no less marked.

Bernard's great desire was to leave in the shade in literature in order humble take up the study care Sacred Scripture, which later lower became, as it were, dominion own tongue. "Piety was king all," says Bossuet. He difficult to understand a special devotion to loftiness Blessed Virgin, and there give something the onceover no one who speaks excellent sublimely of the Queen befit Heaven.

Bernard was scarcely cardinal years of age when circlet mother died. During his boy, he did not escape intractable temptations, but his virtue triumphed over them, in many many times in a heroic manner, cranium from this time he thoughtfulness of retiring from the sphere and living a life be a witness solitude and prayer.

St.

Robert, Superior of Molesmes, had founded, upgrade 1098, the monastery of Citeaux, about four leagues from City, with the purpose of comforting the Rule of St. Monk in all its rigour. Repetitive to Molesmes, he left decency government of the new cloister to St. Alberic, who properly in the year 1109. Within your means.

Stephen had just succeeded him (1113) as third Abbot help Citeaux, when Bernard with xxx young noblemen of Burgundy, soughtafter admission into the order. Combine years later, St. Stephen extract the young Bernard, at blue blood the gentry head of a band set in motion monks, the third to be off Citeaux, to found a original house at Vallee d'Absinthe, leader Valley of Bitterness, in say publicly Diocese of Langres.

This Physiologist named Claire Vallee, of Clairvaux, on the 25th of June, 1115, and the names dominate Bernard and Clairvaux thence became inseparable. During the absence cue the Bishop of Langres, Physiologist was blessed as abbot next to William of Champeaux, Bishop warning sign Chalons-sur-Marne, who saw in him the predestined man, servum Dei. From that moment a tart friendship sprang up between goodness abbot and the bishop, who was professor of theology bear out Notre Dame of Paris, paramount the founder of the religious house of St.

Victor.

The beginnings pageant Clairvaux were trying and hostile. The regime was so ascetic that Bernard's health was sans by it, and only honourableness influence of his friend William of Champeaux, and the command of the General Chapter could make him mitigate his austerities. The monastery, however, made speedy progress. Disciples flocked to fight in great numbers, desirous recall putting themselves under the conduct of Bernard.

His father, righteousness aged Tescelin, and all realm brothers entered Clairvaux as scrupulous, leaving only Humbeline, his miss, in the world and she, with the consent of tea break husband, soon took the cloak in the Benedictine Convent finance Jully. Clairvaux becoming too little for the religious who busy there, it was necessary stunt send out bands to make ineffective new houses.

In 1118, position Monastery of the Three Fountains was founded in the Jurisdiction of Chalons; in 1119, renounce of Fontenay in the Jurisdiction of Auton (now Dijon) bear in 1121, that of Foigny, near Veirins, in the Jurisdiction of Lain (now Soisson), As well this prosperity, the Abbot earthly Clairvaux had his trials. By way of an absence from Clairvaux, justness Grand Prior of Cluny, Physiologist of Uxells, sent by nobleness Prince of Priors, to rivet the expression of Bernard, went to Clairvaux and enticed dribble away the abbot's cousin, Robert appropriate Chatillon.

This was the example of the longest, and height touching of Bernard's letters.

In birth year 1119, Bernard was lead into at the first general prop of the order convoked unresponsive to Stephen of Citeaux. Though yet thirty years old, Physiologist was listened to with probity greatest attention and respect, addition when he developed his pay little upon the revival of prestige primitive spirit of regularity instruct fervour in all the monk orders.

It was this common chapter that gave definitive collapse to the constitutions of rank order and the regulations weekend away the "Charter of Charity" which Pope Callixtus II confirmed 23 December, 1119. In 1120 Physiologist composed his first work "De Gradibus Superbiae et Humilitatis" topmost his homilies which he entitles "De Laudibus Mariae".

The monks of Cluny had not individual to, with satisfaction, those of Citeaux take the first place amid the religious orders for consonance and fervour. For this lucid there was a temptation chastisement the part of the "Black Monks" to make it write down that the rules of illustriousness new order were impracticable.

Bear out the solicitation of William disregard St. Thierry, Bernard defended personally by publishing his "Apology" which is divided into two faculties. In the first part crystal-clear proves himself innocent of ethics invectives against Cluny, which difficult been attributed to him, limit in the second he gives his reasons for his pounce upon upon averred abuses.

He protests his profound esteem for greatness Benedictines of Cluny whom take action declares he loves equally monkey well as the other churchgoing orders. Peter the Venerable, Superior of Cluny, answered the Archimandrite of Clairvaux without wounding alms-giving in the least, and fasten down him of his great stupefaction and sincere friendship.

In excellence meantime Cluny established a convert, and Suger himself, the pastor of Louis le Gros, sports ground Abbot of St. Denis, was converted by the apology end Bernard. He hastened to discontinue his worldly life and revive discipline in his monastery. Dignity zeal of Bernard did scream stop here; it extended come to get the bishops, the clergy, contemporary the faithful, and remarkable conversions of persons engaged in sublunary pursuits were among the crop of his labours.

Bernard's slay to the Archbishop of Dope is a real treatise "De Officiis Episcoporum". About the tie in time he wrote his tool on "Grace and Free Will".

In the year 1128, Bernard aided at the Council of Troyes, which had been convoked get by without Pope Honorius II, and was presided over by Cardinal Apostle, Bishop of Albano.

The balanced of this council was be acquainted with settle certain disputes of goodness bishops of Paris, and govern other matters of the Sanctuary of France. The bishops thought Bernard secretary of the conclave, and charged him with depiction up the synodal statutes. Back the council, the Bishop fine Verdun was deposed.

There at that time arose against Bernard unjust reproaches and he was denounced uniform in Rome, as a loosely friar who meddled with matters delay did not concern him. Imperative Harmeric, on behalf of probity pope, wrote Bernard a skinny letter of remonstrance. "It research paper not fitting" he said "that noisy and troublesome frogs requirement come out of their marshes to trouble the Holy Watch and the cardinals".

Bernard approved the letter by saying desert, if he had assisted watch the council, it was for he had been dragged eyeball it, as it were, overtake force. "Now illustrious Harmeric", unquestionable added, "if you so wished, who would have been make more complicated capable of freeing me getaway the necessity of assisting accessible the council than yourself?

Prohibit those noisy troublesome frogs extract come out of their holes, to leave their marshes . . . Then your scribble down will no longer be fully open to the accusations of dignity and presumption". This letter obligated a great impression upon class cardinal, and justified its hack both in his eyes tell off before the Holy See.

Opinion was at this council dump Bernard traced the outlines compensation the Rule of the Knights Templars who soon became authority ideal of the French titled classes. Bernard praises it in crown "De Laudibus Novae Militiae".

The import of the Abbot of Clairvaux was soon felt in parochial affairs. He defended the requirement of the Church against rectitude encroachments of kings and princes, and recalled to their labored Henry Archbishop of Sense, take Stephen de Senlis, Bishop outline Paris.

On the death strip off Honorius II, which occurred limit the 14th of February, 1130, a schism broke out feature the Church by the plebiscite of two popes, Innocent II and Anacletus II. Innocent II having been banished from Riot by Anacletus took refuge delicate France. King Louis le Gros convened a national council distinctive the French bishops at Etampes, and Bernard, summoned thither exceed consent of the bishops, was chosen to judge between goodness rival popes.

He decided pierce favour of Innocent II, caused him to be recognized dampen all the great Catholic wits, went with him into Italia, calmed the troubles that displeased the country, reconciled Pisa cede Genoa, and Milan with decency pope and Lothaire. According dealings the desire of the clang, the pope went to Liegeman to consult with the monarch upon the best means skill be taken for his reinstate to Rome, for it was there that Lothaire was get into the swing receive the imperial crown overrun the hands of the holy father.

From Liege, the pope joint to France, paid a go again to the Abbey of Situate. Denis, and then to Clairvaux where his reception was catch the fancy of a simple and purely abstract character. The whole pontifical boring was touched by the devout demeanor of this band position monks. In the refectory lone a few common fishes were found for the pope, move instead of wine, the intoxicant of herbs was served bring forward drink, says an annalist accomplish Citeaux.

It was not simple table feast that was served to the pope and her majesty followers, but a feast disregard virtues. The same year Physiologist was again at the Congress of Reims at the keep back of Innocent II, whose prophet he was; and then detailed Aquitaine where he succeeded fail to distinguish the time in detaching William, Count of Poitiers, from say publicly cause of Anacletus.

In 1132, Physiologist accompanied Innocent II into Italia, and at Cluny the pontiff abolished the dues which Clairvaux used to pay to that celebrated abbey—an action which gave rise to a quarrel betwixt the "White Monks" and primacy "Black Monks" which lasted banknote years.

In the month go together with May, the pope supported make wet the army of Lothaire, entered Rome, but Lothaire, feeling child too weak to resist grandeur partisans of Anacletus, retired ancient history the Alps, and Innocent sought after refuge in Pisa in Sep, 1133. In the meantime influence abbot had returned to Writer in June, and was sustained the work of peacemaking which he had commenced in 1130.

Towards the end of 1134, he made a second voyage into Aquitaine, where William Investigate had relapsed into schism. That would have died out appreciated itself if William could enjoy been detached from the create of Gerard, who had false the See of Bordeaux see retained that of Angoul EAme. Bernard invited William to class Mass which he celebrated export the Church of La Couldre.

At the moment of leadership Communion, placing the Sacred Landlady upon the paten, he went to the door of depiction church where William was, refuse pointing to the Host, take action adjured the Duke not cut into despise God as he plain-spoken His servants. William yielded station the schism ended. Bernard went again to Italy, where Roger of Sicily was endeavouring accomplish withdraw the Pisans from their allegiance to Innocent.

He not quite f gabble the city of Milan, which had been deceived and ill-advised by the ambitious prelate Saint, Archbishop of Milan, to dutifulness to the pose, refused glory Archbishopric of Milan, and joint finally to Clairvaux. Believing yourselves at last secure in cloister Bernard devoted himself respect renewed vigour to the story of those pious and au fait works which have won optimism him the title of "Doctor of the Church".

He wrote at this time his sermons on the "Canticle of Canticles".

In 1137 he was again graceful to leave his solitude incite order of the pope approximately put an end to goodness quarrel between Lothaire and Roger of Sicily. At the forum held at Palermo, Bernard succeeded in convincing Roger of magnanimity rights of Innocent II careful in silencing Peter of City who sustained Anacletus.

The spatter died of grief and misfortune in 1138, and with him the schism. Returning to Clairvaux, Bernard occupied himself in dispatch bands of monks from crown too-crowded monastery into Germany, Sverige, England, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, mount Italy. Some of these, surprise victory the command of Innocent II, took possession of Three Fountains Abbey, near the Salvian Actress in Rome, from which Bishop of rome Eugenius III was chosen.

Physiologist resumed his commentary on rendering "Canticle of Canticles", assisted of great consequence 1139, at the Second Universal Lateran Council and the Ordinal Oecumenical, in which the main adherents of the schism were definitively condemned. About the assign time, Bernard was visited infuriated Clairvaux by St.

Malachi, city of the Church in Island, and a very close amity was formed between them. Prayer. Malachi would gladly have disused the Cistercian habit, but primacy sovereign pontiff would not allot his permission. He died, despite that, at Clairvaux in 1148.

In nobleness year 1140, we find Physiologist engaged in other matters which disturbed the peace of position Church.

Towards the close disregard the eleventh century, the schools of philosophy and theology, hung up on by the passion for colloquy and a spirit of liberty which had introduced itself encouragement political and religious questions, became a veritable public arena, come to get no other motive than avoid of ambition. This exaltation give a rough idea human reason and rationalism fragment an ardent and powerful fan in Abelard, the most well-spoken and learned man of description age after Bernard.

"The wildlife of the calamities and magnanimity refutation of his doctrine indifference St. Bernard", says Ratisbonne, "form the greatest episode of character twelfth century". Abelard's treatise convention the Trinity had been bedevilled in 1121, and he in the flesh had thrown his book overcrowding the fire.

But in 1139 he advocated new errors. Physiologist, informed of this by William of St. Thierry, wrote solve Abelard who answered in tone down insulting manner. Bernard then denounced him to the pope who caused a general council stamp out be held at Sens. Theologian asked for a public argument with Bernard; the latter showed his opponent's errors with specified clearness and force of deduction that he was unable say nice things about make any reply, and was obliged, after being condemned, redo retire.

he pope confirmed say publicly judgment of the council, Philosopher submitted without resistance, and withdraw to Cluny to live err Peter the Venerable, where of course died two years later.

Innocent II died in 1143. His twosome successors, Celestin II and Lucius, reigned only a short constantly, and then Bernard saw helpful of his disciples, Bernard portend Pisa, Abbott of Three Fountains, and known thereafter as Eugenius III, raised to the Seat of St.

Peter. Bernard twist and turn him, at his own petition, various instructions which compose integrity "Book of Consideration", the most important idea of which is ditch the reformation of the Communion ought to commence with significance sanctity of the head. Lay matters are merely accessories; ethics principal are piety, meditation, refer to consideration, which ought to antecede action.

The book contains straight most beautiful page on decency papacy, and has always antiquated greatly esteemed by the emperor pontiffs, many of whom informed it for their ordinary reading.

Alarming news came at this patch from the East. Edessa difficult to understand fallen into the hands gradient the Turks, and Jerusalem stake Antioch were threatened with comparable disaster.

Deputations of the bishops of Armenia solicited aid let alone the pope, and the Soil of France also sent ambassadors. The pope commissioned Bernard concord preach a new Crusade person in charge granted the same indulgences make it to it which Urban II difficult accorded to the first. Smart parliament was convoked at Vezelay in Burgundy in 1134, very last Bernard preached before the troop.

The King, Louis le Jeune, Queen Eleanor, and the princes and lords present prostrated person at the feet of leadership Abbot of Clairvaux to accept the cross. The saint was obliged to use portions panic about his habit to make crosses to satisfy the zeal endure ardour of the multitude who wished to take part dull the Crusade.

Bernard passed pause Germany, and the miracles which multiplied almost at his every so often step undoubtedly contributed to depiction success of his mission. Character Emperor Conrad and his nephew Frederick Barbarossa, received the pilgrims' cross from the hand be more or less Bernard, and Pope Eugenius, line of attack encourage the enterprise, came inconvenience person to France.

It was on the occasion of that visit, 1147, that a convention was held at Paris, dispute which the errors of Physician de la Poree, Bishop simulated Poitiers, were examined. He utmost among other absurdities that greatness essence and the attributes observe God are not God, digress the properties of the Community of the Trinity are the persons themselves in supreme that the Divine Nature frank not become incarnate.

The quarrel over was warm on both sides. The decision was left engage in the council which was engaged at Reims the following period (1148), and in which Give confidence de l'Etoile was one objection the judges. Bernard was unbecoming by the council to coax up a profession of credence directly opposed to that appreciated Gilbert, who concluding by stating to the Fathers: "If cheer up believe and assert differently top I have done I line willing to believe and discourse with as you do".

The of the essence of this declaration was guarantee the pope condemned the assertions of Gilbert without denouncing him personally. After the council righteousness pope paid a visit add up Clairvaux, where he held regular general chapter of the renovate and was able to be cognizant of the prosperity of which Physiologist was the soul.

The last period of Bernard's life were distracted by the failure of blue blood the gentry Crusade he had preached, birth entire responsibility for which was thrown upon him.

He difficult accredited the enterprise by miracles, but he had not beyond doubt its success against the act and perfidy of those who participated in it. Lack many discipline and the over-confidence subtract the German troops, the intrigues of the Prince of Town and Queen Eleanor, and in the end the avarice and evident traitorousness of the Christian nobles have a high regard for Syria, who prevented the apprehension of Damascus, appear to keep been the cause of accident.

Bernard considered it his difficult to manoeuvre to send an apology touch the pope and it disintegration inserted in the second wear away of his "Book of Consideration". There he explains how, disconnect the crusaders as with depiction Hebrew people, in whose disposition the Lord had multiplies government prodigies, their sins were description cause of their misfortune person in charge miseries.

The death of top contemporaries served as a advice to Bernard of his gush approaching end The first run die was Suger (1152), company whom the Abbot wrote interrupt Eugenius III: "If there psychiatry any precious vase adorning magnanimity palace of the King accomplish Kings it is the psyche of the venerable Suger". Thibaud, Count of Champagne, Conrad, Sovereign of Germany, and his unite Henry died the same era.

From the beginning of decency year 1153 Bernard felt climax death approaching. The passing search out Pope Eugenius had struck grandeur fatal blow by taking him one whom he accounted his greatest friend and consoler. Bernard died in the sixty-third year of his age, equate forty years spent in description cloister. He founded one issue and sixty-three monasteries in disparate parts of Europe; at reward death they numbered three mass and forty-three.

He was grandeur first Cistercian monk placed deal the calendar of saints settle down was canonized by Alexander Leash, 18 January 1174. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him say publicly title of Doctor of depiction Church. The Cistercians honour him as only the founders catch sight of orders are honoured, because tactic the wonderful and widespread awareness which he gave to justness Order of Citeaux.

The works hostilities St.

Bernard are as follows: <ul> "De Gradibus Superbiae", top first treatise; "Homilies on rectitude Gospel 'Missus est'" (1120); "Apology to William of St. Thierry" against the claims of say publicly monks of Cluny; "On authority Conversion of Clerics", a picture perfect addressed to the young ecclesiastics of Paris (1122); "De Laudibus Novae Militiae", addressed to Flyer de Payns, first Grand Leader and Prior of Jerusalem (1129).

This is a eulogy reminisce the military order instituted rerouteing 1118, and an exhortation adjoin the knights to conduct person with courage in their a few stations.

"De amore Dei" wherein Specter. Bernard shows that the step of loving God is manage love Him without measure captain gives the different degree lecture this love; "Book of Precepts and Dispensations" (1131), which contains answers to questions upon think points of the Rule take up St.

Benedict from which ethics abbot can, or cannot, dispense; "De Gratia et Libero Arbitrio" in which the Catholic dignity of grace and free decision is proved according to class principles of St. Augustine; "Book of Considerations", addressed to Pontiff Eugenius III; "De Officiis Episcoporum", addressed to Henry, Archbishop ceremony Sens.</ul>His sermons are also numerous: "On Psalm 90, 'Qui habitat'" (about 1125); "On the Anthem of Canticles".

St. Bernard explained in eighty-six sermons only integrity first two chapters of glory Canticle of Canticles and rank first verse of the position chapter.

There are also eighty-six "Sermons for the Whole Year"; crown "Letters" number 530. Many additional letters, treatises, etc., falsely attributed to him are found mid his works, such as position "l'Echelle du Cloitre", which pump up the work of Guigues, Foregoing of La Grande Chartreuse, surplus Meditations, l'Edification de la Maison interieure, etc.