Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May 1/58

Contributor - D. J. Geerling

Title - Christianity Goes Into Action: Bernard of Clairvaux

Topic - Church History

In the rough old days when the process of Christianizing the northern tribes in Europe was still going on, the Church worked to a large extent through the religious centres or monasteries. An outstanding Christian leader who deserves our attention is the famous abbot Bernard of Clairvaux. The son of a baron, he was born in 1090 at the Castle of Fontaines. His mother was a very cultured lady for that period. She was deeply religious, but died when Bernard was 18. He intended to become a soldier like his father, and one day was going to join his brothers on the field when he went into a wayside chapel to pray. Possibly the death of his mother and the fact that she had wished him to 'become a soldier of Christ affected him, for as he prayed he had a vision that he was in the presence of the Lord, and when he rose from his knees he resolved to become a monk. He was so moved by his vision that he persuaded his uncle and his four brothers, together with a number of other young men, to join him in the monastic life, and they entered the Cistercian monastery at Citeaux together. Under the Cistercian Order, life was very hard and disciplined for the monks, but from the beginning Bernard showed a more passionate desire for dedication and self-discipline than any of the others.

Within two years of entering the monastery, Bernard was chosen to establish a new religious house, and he chose a wild region haunted by robbers, north of Dyon, known through its wildness as "the Vale of Wormwood". Here Bernard with twelve companions spent months of hard toil changing the region into a place of fertility and building his monastery there. The difference he made was signified by a change in the name, from "the Vale of Wormwood" into "Beautiful Valley" or Clairvaux. Before long, the youthful abbot of Clairvaux became famous for his piety and saintliness, and his reputation spread far and wide. In particular, his musical voice and fiery eloquence induced many a young man te become a monk under Bernard's rule.

Meanwhile, Christianity in the world outside was shaken to its foundations as a result of the death of Pope Honorius II in 1130. Two rivals now claimed the office and the Church was divided in consequence , each side attacking the other. Such, however, was the reputation of Bernard that he was asked to settle this grievous dispute, and when he declared in favour of Innocent II his verdict was accepted by both sides. From this time forward Bernard became the real head and leader of the Church, although never elected to that position officially. He extended the religious houses of his own Order, reformed those of other Orders, and did much to make Christianity a vital force in Europe. He was rightly called "The conscience of the Christian World".

Bernard championed the cause of the Crusades. Through the rigours of his self-discipline Bernard was an old man at 50. Nevertheless, the approach of the Saracens to Europe now roused him to action. When he heard that in Palestine the Holy City itself was in danger of conquest, Bernard rose at once to preach a new Crusade against the Moslems. He summoned a Council to meet in 1146 at Venelaz in Central France. A great crowd was present, headed by the flower of French chivalry. Louis VII, King of France, was there with his nobles, and a great hush descended as Bernard, bent with suffering and worn with labour, began to address the crowds with his burning oratory. This led to the second Crusade. Noble after noble came forward to claim his cross and to summon his men to follow in the great Crusade.

At the age of sixty-three, Bernard, worn out by torture and his tireless labours, lay on his death bed The monks gathered round praying for him. "I am no longer of this world", said the dying man. "Jesus Christ calls me and I burn with desire to be united with Him." With those words on his lips Bernard passed on to higher service. As a writer, he composed and provided us with several of our favourite hymns.

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