Bernard of Clairvaux 		August 20
Abbot, Poet
Bernard was born in 1090 in the castle at Fontaines, near Dijon. Learning came easily to this intelligent and handsome young man from a well-to-do family. A distinguished future seemed to lie ahead, but, while drawn to prayer in a time of uncertainty, he made the decision to surrender his life to the service of Jesus. He persuaded thirty companions, including several of his brothers, to join him. In 1112 they entered the nearby abbey at Cîteaux, which was in a state of utter poverty. Benedictine monasticism had been reformed in the tenth century, but Bernard wanted to go further. As a novice he demanded austerities of himself “beyond what was human”, and his health broke down. Nevertheless, under his influence, Cîteaux became well known as a model monastery.
In 1115 Bernard was sent with twelve monks to establish a new monastery. He chose a site in the valley of the river Aube, which he renamed Clairvaux (Valley of Light), where he became abbot. At first, times were very hard, but by the time of his death it had become one of the chief centres of the Cistercian Order, with seven hundred monks, and a further 320 abbeys had been founded all over Europe, including several in Britain. 
As an abbot, Bernard was very able, with remarkable qualities of leadership. A spiritual pioneer, writer and organiser, with a capacity to mould the mind of a generation, he was a powerful force in the Europe of his day. Although the Cistercian Order was theoretically a closed order based on withdrawal from the world, Bernard exercised an enormous influence on the church in Europe. Many from all walks of life came to him for counsel and support. He would fearlessly rebuke people on moral issues. In particular he attacked unorthodox theology and lack of monastic discipline. 
Bernard’s attacks on other theologians and religious orders were by no means always fair. This was especially true of his treatment of Abelard. Nevertheless, he helped to gain recognition for the new Order of Templars as a body of Christian knights to serve the church during the crusades. He supported the crusade against the Albigensians. His powerful eloquence as a preacher was used most successfully to launch the Second Crusade in 1147. It was a disaster, and Bernard was blamed by some. Bernard’s involvement in politics has been criticised, but many other contemporary church leaders were engaged in plots and intrigues.
To Bernard, a deep knowledge of the Bible, loyalty to the church, and a passionate personal devotion to Christ and his mother Mary were the vital basis of one’s communion with God. He brought the monks to discover through prayer that deep, intimate relationship with Christ which he himself experienced. He inculcated a nobility of spirit won by rigour and self-discipline, yet also with great passion. A clue to this is seen in his monumental exposition of the Song of Solomon, with its invitation to mystic love, the very experience of the love of God.
Through his influence, the Cistercian Order became the most important in Europe. The enormous growth of the order was helped by the desire of many lay people to find security and a sense of purpose in a well-ordered community against the surrounding social confusion, but that does not detract from Bernard’s outstanding contribution. He died on 20 August 1153. 
For Liturgical Use
Bernard was born in 1090 and at 22 joined the Cistercian Order. His remarkable dedication and gifts of leadership soon became apparent. In 1115 he established the abbey of Clairvaux. From there he had a profound influence on the whole of Europe. Bernard preached with immense energy and power. A strong defender of Christian values, he had a clear grasp of theological issues, though his criticism of others was sometimes unfair, and his advocacy of the disastrous Second Crusade made him unpopular in some quarters. His contribution to monasticism has been lasting. He died in 1153.
Sentence
The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.			Proverbs 4:18
Collects
Holy and merciful God,
through your Son, the world’s true light,
you called Bernard to a passionate zeal for your truth;
enable us to use our gifts for the good of all,
and fire us with a spirit of love and discipline;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God of the cloister as of the world at large,
blessed are you in Bernard,
abbot to a community reformed,
teacher whose words were sweet honey;
breathe life and feeling into all we say and do.
Psalms	19	139:1-11
Readings
Proverbs 4:5-9		Wisdom will exalt you
Ephesians 5:6-14		Light in the Lord
John 14:27-31a		Doing the Father’s commands
Post Communion Sentence
The fear of you, O Lord, is the beginning of wisdom, those who revere you have good understanding; your praise shall endure for ever.	Psalm 111:10