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Name:
Bernard of Clairvaux
Dates:
Born: 1090 near Dijon
Died: 1153
Doctor of the Church: 1830
Feast Day: August 20
Biography:
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), canonized on January 18, 1174, was a Cistercian
monk who founded the famous abbey at Clairvaux. Bernard and his companions suffered
through more than a decade of extreme hardships and deprivations before their community
was able to achieve self-sufficiency. During this time, Bernard's health deteriorated
- but at the same time, his spirituality grew stronger and he produced writings which would
become important to the development of Catholic doctrine.
Gradually, these writings attracted the attention of higher ecclesiastical authorities. During years of papal disunity, Bernard was called in to act as a mediator and advisor at various councils and meetings. Bernard was particularly active when it came to opposing the rationalistic work of Peter Abelard. Through the efforts of Bernard, Abelard's teachings were condemned at the council of Sens in 1141. In the end, however, it was only because of Bernard's status as a favored monk with the heirarchy that he was able to claim victory over Abelard's views.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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