Bernard of Clairvaux

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (Fontaines, near Dijon, 1090 – August 21, 1153 in Clairvaux) was a French abbot and theologian who was the main voice of conservatism during the intellectual revival of Western Europe called the Renaissance of the 12th century. The voice of conscience, the dominating figure in the Christian church from 1125 to 1153 (Cantor 1993), he was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830. Bernard is a saint of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches and was the primary builder of the reforming Cistercian monastic order.

Abbot of the Cistercian abbey of Clairvaux

:General history of Clairvaux: Clairvaux Abbey.

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The little community of reformed Benedictines at Citeaux, which would have so profound an influence on Western monasticism and had seemed on the point of extinction for lack of novices, gained a sudden new life through this accession of some thirty young noblemen. Others followed their example, and the community grew so rapidly that it was soon able to send out offshoots. One of these monasteries, Clairvaux, was founded in 1115, in a wild valley of a tributary of the Aube, on land given by Count Hugh of Troyes. There Bernard was appointed abbot.

Related Topics:
Benedictines - Monasticism - Clairvaux

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By the new constitution of the Cistercians, Clairvaux became the chief monastery of the five branches into which the order was divided under the supreme direction of the abbot of Citeaux. Though nominally subject to Citeaux, Clairvaux soon became the most important Cistercian house, owing to the fame and influence of Bernard.

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His saintly character and severe self mortification (about which his friend, William of Champeaux, Bishop of Châlons, remonstrated with him) and above all, his power as a preacher, soon made him famous and drew crowds of pilgrims to Clairvaux. His miracles were noised abroad, and sick folk were brought from near and far to be healed by his touch.

Related Topics:
Self mortification - William of Champeaux

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Much of this section has been disproven by modern scholarship. Citeaux was NOT on the verge of extinction. Bernard did not join until 1113 the SAME year the first daughter house, La Ferté, was founded. If a monastery creates a daughter house they have to have a surplus of monks to fill it. Also, planning the creation of a daughterhouse takes several years. La Ferté was founded in 1113, so it was in the planning stages at least as early as 1109. The dating, and importance of Bernard in the early years of Citeax, as well as the 'miracles' can be traced back to his original biographers, whose aims were to prove Bernard's worth as a potential candidate for sainthood.

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see:

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http://www.wku.edu/~rob.harbison/projects/bernmyth.pdf

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http://www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~dvess/ids/medieval/cist.html

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http://www.thecyberfarm.com/cistercians/cistercianintro.htm

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