St. Bernard of Clairvaux : Active Comtemplative, Giant Among Men

Today is the feast day of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. St. Bernard was a Doctor of the Church, a distinction granted to only 33 saints in 2,000 years. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary was a source of inspiration to many, and was instrumental in the development of devotion to Our Lady. Bernard will be ever known for both his great contemplative insight and his apostolic efforts in spreading the faith and fighting schism in the Church.

St. Bernard, like few others, understood and practiced the love of God and man to an extraordinary degree. The Holy Spirit taught him love's two main objectives:
[1] love of God, whose goodness demands the love of the reflective soul; and
[2] love of man whose misery excites our charity. (The Liturgical Year Time after Pentecost, Book IV p. 433. Reprinted by Marian House, Powers Lake, ND 1983.)

St. Bernard followed the Apostolic pattern set by the Holy Spirit for those who have done His bidding since the time of the Old Testament prophets. As Moses wandered the desert, the Holy Spirit prepared him for his work through fasting and prayer. St. John the Baptist, and even Our Lord Himself retreated to the desert to prepare them for their ministry. Similarly, St. Bernard learned the ways of the Lord in prayer, solitude and self-renunciation before doing the Lord's work.

During his active life, Bernard pined for the life of solitude where he could spend his days contemplating God, but the Holy Spirit had another plan in mind. His reputation for learning and sanctity had spread over all of Europe and throughout the Church. He was the confidant of popes and bishops and settled the disputes of kings and princes. While some men dream of the type of influence and power St. Bernard had, Bernard could only lament that these demands on his time. The troubles of the Church and the world left him burdened by the anxiety and cares of "the crowd of discordant applicants" and with no time left to pray.

St. Bernard lamented the corruption within the Church and the appointment of unworthy Bishops. Through Bernard, the Lord successfully opened the hearts of prominent bishops who became true shepherds of God's people through his holy influence.

Bernard was one of the great contemplatives in Church history. His spirit soared to the heights of heaven, as can be seen in his sermons and writings. Yet Bernard's influence throughout Europe and the Church was astounding, and almost paradoxically was one of the most active saints of all time, spreading the influence of the Faith, theology and Christian aestheticism, making great contributions to Western Civilization. As such, he is surely a saint for our times.

In our day, where earthly pragmatism holds sway over the hearts of men and people rarely find time to pray, the life of St. Bernard shows us that we truly have no excuse. There are many forces tugging at us, and many influences telling us that action is what is necessary. Of course, it is, but for our lives to be as God wants them, in order for our action to flower, in order to gather treasure "where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal" (Matt. 6:20) we need the soil of Christian discipline and the water of prayer.

For most of us, our lives cannot possible reflect except in some small way that of Bernard, but we can follow his example. We busy ourselves with so many things, and it is true that we must attend to the matters of this world. Yet, how much happier we will be, how far more fulfilling our efforts if we too in some small way enter the desert in spirit with St. Bernard, and emerge to do God's will. Let us take the time to contemplate, and just as importantly, let us approach all our action with two ends firmly in the front of our minds: firstly, to act in love of God Who is all-deserving; and secondly to act in love of our neighbor who needs our love and kindness. Let us be sure that our actions always meet those two charitable ends to all those whom our actions affect.

Let us close with the famous "Memorare" prayer to Our Lady, composed by St. Bernard.

Memorare to the Blessed Virgin Mary
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us!