Also known as Mellifluous, Doctor of the Church, Last of the Fathers of the Holy Church

Memorial 20 August Profile French nobility. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux; his father and another brother joined soon after. Benedictine. Founded and led the monastery at Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and 160 daughter houses. Revised and reformed the Cistercians. Advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended Second Lateran Council. Fought Albigensianism. Helped end the schism of anti-Pope Anacletus II. Preached in France, Italy, Germany. Helped organize the Second Crusade. Friend and biographer of Saint Malachy O'More. Spritual advisor to Pope Eugenius III, who had originally been one of his monks. First Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII. Every morning Bernard would ask himself, "Why have I come here?", and then remind himself of his main duty - lead a holy life.

Born 1090 at Fontaines-les-Dijon, Burgundy, France

Died 20 August 1153 at Clairvaux

Canonized 1170 by Pope Alexander III

Patronage beekeepers, bees, candlemakers, chandlers ,Gibraltar Queens College, Cambridge, England wax-melters ,wax refiners,

Representation beehive, bees ,book, Cistercian having a vision of Mary, Cistercian with a beehive ,Cistercian with a chained demon ,Cistercian with a mitre on the ground beside him, Cistercian with a swarm of bees nearby ,Cistercian with a white dog Cistercian writing, and watching Mary instruments of the Passion pen white dog

Back to Saints Index Gallery at www.TotallyCatholic.com