Tag: Bernard of Clairvaux
Learning from St. Bernard
St. Bernard of Clairvaux towers above most other monastic figures in the West – his words form a beautiful and timeless foundation for much of Western monasticism since, and in his day, he was the greatest of saints. Considered the last of the Fathers of the Church, St. Bernard left an unparalleled legacy behind him. So… Read More ›
He lives only for others
Someone who takes pity and lends, who is disposed to be compassionate, quick to render assistance, who believes that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving, who easily forgives but is not easily angered, who will never seek to be avenged, and will in all things take thought for his neighbor’s needs as… Read More ›
The Actions of the Trinity in Us
Let us consider ourselves, and the actions of the Trinity in us, from the beginning of the world until the end. Let us see how that Majesty upon whom lie both the administration and the governance of the ages has been concerned not to lose us forever. Indeed he had made all things mightily, and… Read More ›
Where is God?
Do you ask: if all things are in him, where is [God]? I can answer nothing more inadequately than this: what place can contain him? Do you ask where he is not? I cannot even answer that. What place is without God? God is incomprehensible, but you have learned a great deal if you discovered… Read More ›
Mary, Star of the Sea and Mother of God
Mary . . . is interpreted to mean ‘Star of the Sea.’ This admirably befits the Virgin Mother. There is indeed a wonderful appropriateness in this comparison of her with a star, because as a star sends out its rays without harm to itself, so did the Virgin bring forth her Child without injury to… Read More ›
Jesus Demands Solitude
Christ the Lord is a spirit before your face, and he demands solitude of the spirit more than of the body, although physical withdrawal can be of benefit when the opportunity offers, especially in time of prayer. To do this is to follow the advice and example of the bridegroom, shut the door and then… Read More ›
Seek his face always
To seek God is a great good; in my opinion the soul knows no greater blessing. It is the first of her gifts and the final stage in her progress. It is inferior to none, and it yields place to none. What could be superior to it, when nothing has a higher place? What could claim a… Read More ›
On the Devil and the modern rebellion against God
Perhaps no more than 100 years ago or so, I would think that society – both secular and religious – would have been shocked to see the amount of satanic artwork, music, and posturing exhibited by so many nowadays. One need only open their eyes and look around – the T-shirts covered in pentagrams and… Read More ›
Life of St. Bernard
I have ascended to the highest in me, and look! the Lord is towering above that. In my curiosity I have descended to explore my lowest depths, yet I found him even deeper. If I looked outside myself, I saw him stretching beyond the furthest I could see; and if I looked within, he was… Read More ›
Sin conceals the soul’s simplicity
Unlikeness means, not that the likeness has been destroyed, but that it has been concealed by something else which has been laid over it. The soul has not in fact put off her original form but has put on one foreign to her. The latter is an addition; the former has not been lost. This… Read More ›