Are You a Reservoir or a Canal? ), The reason for loving God is God Himself. -Bernard of Clairvaux, There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. 1090d. Emperor submits to pope over investiture. Copyright 2020 Epic Media Labs LLP. Under pressure from his ecclesiastical superiors and his friends, notably the bishop and scholar William of Champeaux, he retired to a hut near the monastery and to the discipline of a quack physician. Ambrose Bierce Bernard of Clairvaux Creative Commons Born: 1090 Died: August 20, 1153 (aged 63) Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes Featured Authors Lists -Bernard of Clairvaux, Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, (born 1090, probably Fontaine-les-Dijon, near Dijon, Burgundy [France]died August 20, 1153, Clairvaux, Champagne; canonized January 18, 1174; feast day August 20), Cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of Clairvaux and one of the most influential churchmen of his time. You could not be signed in, please check and try again. 1077. -Bernard of Clairvaux, 2. Paris: Fayard, 2003. Williams, Watkin. " There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is curiosity. O chaste and holy love! Hallserved as president of Renovar from 20152022. Bernard remained abbot here for the rest of his life, even though, on several occasions, he was encouraged to accept election as bishop or archbishop. Vacandard, Elphge, lAbb de. Through spiritual affection, God refreshes, delights, and gladdens the soul (, The accessibility of Gods love presents a challenge to those of us who evangelize today. Over four hundred years later, St. John of the Cross teaches something similar when he writes, God engages the soul through spiritual affection. Authentic love flows from its source before it changes those who receive that love. Far more satisfying, but unfortunately little noticed, is James 1957. 1090-d. 1153) was one of the most influential figures in western Europe in the second quarter of the 12th century. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI: This is true for every Christian: faith is first and foremost a personal, intimate encounter with Jesus. Paul Murray, OP, WOF 391: Why Modern Men Look Elsewhere for Spiritual Wisdom, Ask Bishop Barron on the WOF Show Podcast, Support the Word on Fire Bible Vol. " Bernard of Clairvaux 2. Posted on February 3, 2021, in Microblog. In the Church at the present day, we have many canals, few reservoirs. He is a saint whose insights into Gods love have a refreshing relevance that revitalize our efforts to evangelize in our time. He clarifies, All food of the soul is dry unless it is moistened with this oil; insipid, unless it is seasoned with this salt. St. Today, the Church honors the memory and witness of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), abbot and Doctor of the Church. A two-year journey in Christian spiritual formation for personal life and ministry led by the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. Dinzelbacher, Peter. Faith and morals were taken seriously, but without priggishness. Saint Bernard (of Clairvaux) (1895). -Bernard of Clairvaux, 9. What you write has no savor for me unless I have read Jesus in it (, , 15). It was here, also, that he produced a small but complete treatise on Mariology (study of doctrines and dogmas concerning the Virgin Mary), Praises of the Virgin Mother. Bernard was to become a major champion of a moderate cult of the Virgin, though he did not support the notion of Marys Immaculate Conception. And real happiness will come, not in gratifying our desires or in gaining transient pleasures, but in accomplishing Gods will for us: even as we pray every day: Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven (Matt. A wonderful time of worship with some good people! A canal spreads abroad water as it receives it, and a reservoir waits until it is filled before overflowing, and thus without loss to itself communicates its superabundant water. Alison Weir, Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life. Bernard Of Clairvaux Quotes (3 quotes) - Goodreads Omissions? When God forgives a sinner who humbly confesses his sin, the devil loses his dominion over the heart he had taken. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. She lives near Vancouver, BC, with her husband Mark and their twochildren. God forbid! At Clairvaux, Bernard initiated a series of chapter talks that became Sermones in Cantica, his eighty-six Sermons on the Song of Songs, which make up his finest work. It was a time when Bernard was experiencing what he apprehended as the divine in a mystical and intuitive manner. The abbot did not always get his way. The holy abbot and Doctor of the Church appreciated that Gods love was invasive and revealingshowing us ways in which we need to repent and become more perfect in love. As to how He is to be loved, there is only one measure: It is immeasurable!, To have a restful or peaceful life in God is good; to bear a life of pain in patience is better; but to have peace in the midst of pain is the best of all., In Him should all our affections center, so that in all things we should seek only to do His will, not to please ourselves., Believe me, for I know, you will find something far greater in the woods than in books. First published in 1895. A truly obedient man does not discriminate between one thing and another, since his only aim is to execute faithfully whatever may be assigned to him. It is beautiful too. The canal simultaneously pours out what it receives; the reservoir retains the water till it is filled, then discharges the overflow without loss to itself . Translated by Claire Lavoie. For those who are missionaries of that love of God in the world, the living water of love that they share will be replenished each time they return to the fountain. He is a saint whose insights into God's love have a refreshing relevance that revitalize our efforts to evangelize in our time. Dont seek knowledge just for the sake of it, learn to save it from being discharged. An overlooked but absolutely central evaluation of Bernard as theologian and central ecclesiastical figure of his day. By 1119 the Cistercians had a charter approved by Pope Calixtus II for nine abbeys under the primacy of the abbot of Cteaux. Commentary on the Song of Songs, p.100, Jazzybee Verlag. Grace, Heart, Heaven, Humility, Inspirational, Jesus, Joy, Life, "The measure of love is love without measure." -- Bernard of Clairvaux #Love #Inspirational #Love Is "The true measure of loving God is to love him without measure." -- Bernard of Clairvaux #Religious #Religious Love #Loving God Please subscribe or login. -Bernard of Clairvaux, The man who is wise, therefore, will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes French theologian and saint (b. , Learn the lesson that, if you are to do the work of a prophet, what you need is not a sceptre but a hoe., So far from being able to answer for my sins, I cannot even answer for my righteousness!, Rest is in Him alone. May this happen to each one of us!, Pope Benedict XVI points to Bernards example as a warning to all theologians, scholars, and teachers against a dry and academic faith that is divorced from a deep and prayerful relationship with God: Bernard reminds us that without a profound faith in God, nourished by prayer and contemplation by an intimate relationship with the Lord, our reflections on the divine mysteries risk becoming an empty intellectual exercise and losing their credibilityTogether with Bernard of Clairvaux, we too must recognize that humans seek God better and find him more easily in prayer than in discussion. Burgundian saint, abbot and theologian (1090-1153), https://en.wikiquote.org/w/index.php?title=Bernard_of_Clairvaux&oldid=3286501, Epistola CVI, sect. Bernard of Clairvaux (Author of Selected Works) - Goodreads 43.7), surely His creatures ought to conform themselves, as much as they can, to His will. Man knows no peace in the world; but he has no disturbance when he is with God., The more I contemplate God, the more God looks on me. They believe that by becoming more knowledgeable, they will be acknowledged and respected. As we honor St. Bernard of Clairvaux on his feast day, we give thanks to God for his life and for the inspiration his insights provide for us today into the nature of divine loveit is accessible to everyone, beautiful, and bears the truth within it. Learn first to love yourself, and then you can love me. It is having an experience of his closeness, friendship, and love. Bernard of Clairvaux Quote - Lib Quotes Bernard of Clairvaux. 105 Copy quote Many appear full of mildness and sweetness as long as everything goes their own way; but the moment any contradiction or adversity arises, they are in a flame, and begin to rage like a burning mountain. Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. He has a deep interest in the relationship between faith and science, the New Evangelization, early Irish Christianity and priestly formation. Coming before God in prayer was not about seeking a sustained series of spiritual consolations and delights but an encounter with the truth of our condition in Gods sight. For this reason, Bernard of Clairvaux implores the word to come to him, full of grace and truth: I need both of these. He and his wife Joy livein Lynchburg, Virginia, and havethree children. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. Bernard of Clairvaux, O. Cist. More Bernard of Clairvaux Quotes For there are those who talk but do nothing (Mt 23:3). The man who is wise, therefore, will see his life as more like a reservoir than a canal. Action and contemplation are very close companions; they live together in one house on equal terms. Bernard of Clairvaux is a living illustration of a turbulent phase in Western Christendom. I conclude with another gem from St. Bernard that speaks to all evangelists who have a burning desire to make Christ known and loved so that others might come to believe in him too: How will you then be able to set the hearts of others on fire by your words and witness? There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. I want my love life to be the bed time story for my kids, There are those who seek knowledge for the sake of knowledge; that is Curiosity. Thanks to Pastors Allan and Grace, Tim (Abu Kabir) and Laurie, and all the other pastors and leaders we got to serve alongside. Please select which sections you would like to print: Associate Professor of Education, University of Windsor, Ontario. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. They believe that by becoming more knowledgeable, they will be acknowledged and respected. Only charity can convert the soul, freeing it from unworthy motives. O Blessed Mary, whoever loves you honors God; whoever serves you pleases God; whoever invokes your holy name with a pure heart will infallibly receive the object of his petition. Vacandards achievement needs to be seen in the context of the bitter dispute between Catholics and secularists in France around the year 1900. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Bernard-of-Clairvaux, Bernard of Clairvaux - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). They want to leave a positive impact on the world. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, (born 1090, probably Fontaine-les-Dijon, near Dijon, Burgundy [France]died August 20, 1153, Clairvaux, Champagne; canonized January 18, 1174; feast day August 20), Cistercian monk and mystic, founder and abbot of the abbey of Clairvaux and one of the most influential churchmen of his time. Gems of Wisdom from St. Bernard of Clairvaux - Word on Fire -Bernard of Clairvaux, What we love we shall grow to resemble. In spiritual life everyone has to drink from his or her own well. For how shall they preach unless they are sent [Rom 10:15]?. It is beautiful too. If you concentrate hard on the state you are in, it would be surprising if you have time for anything else. Bernard of Clairvaux - New World Encyclopedia Contents 1Quotes 2Quotes about Bernard 3Misattributed 4External links Quotes[edit] Goodreads helps you follow your favorite authors. Brian Morykon isDirector of Communications and Special Projects at Renovar, where he uses words, design, and technology to help connect people with Jesus and one another. St. Bernard wrote about Gods love as being accessible and beautiful, which did not mean that it was sugary or sentimental. -Bernard of Clairvaux, Believe me, for I know, you will find something far greater in the woods than in books. He was one of the founders of the Cistercian, or Bernardine, monastic order. Meet our Tech Wiz hes a true blooded Otaku and an encyclopedia of all things tech! For the stark reality of truth would be intolerable without grace, and the gladness of grace might appear lax and uncontrolled without truth (Sermon 74). Sermons on the Song of Songs Quotes Showing 1-1 of 1. 8 Copy quote. 100 QUOTES BY BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX [PAGE - 2] | A-Z Quotes Often, in conversations with people in the parish or in spiritual direction, I try to assure them that despite what they are going through, God knows them, loves them, and is at work in their lives. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is vanity. The more I pray to him, the more he thinks of me too., Qui me amat, amet et canem meum. It covers various popular categories such as Friendship , Heart Break , Love , Family , Inspirational , Motivational and many more. Four brothers, an uncle, two cousins, an architect, and two seasoned monks under the leadership of Bernard endured extreme deprivations for well over a decade before Clairvaux was self-sufficient. Christianity's triumph over the Roman Empire also marked a slow march toward the Protestant Reformation. He studied Spiritual Formation and Leadership at Spring Arbor University. He was one of the founders of the Cistercian, or Bernardine, monastic order. Recent research has shown that Bernard had read Abelard and knew his theology firsthand. And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.". Christ Cry Heart Love Mystery Nail Sacred O Blessed Mary, whoever loves you honors God; whoever serves you pleases God; whoever invokes your holy name with a pure heart will infallibly receive the object of his petition. Previously Chris was Director of Academic Spiritual Formation and Distinguished Professor of Theology at Eastern University. There are those who seek knowledge to be known by others; that is Vanity. What is my picture of myself?then dives into the six great Christian traditions outlined by Richard Fosters bookStreams of Living Water. Epistola LXXXVII, sect. BeStill an encouragement from God that leads to experiencing Him (Ps 46:10) AND the name of our monthly contemplative prayer gathering- join us Tuesday June 27 at 6:30pm at Canaan in the Desert on N 40th St. Hope to see you there. Written by Renovar team members including Chris Hall and Carolyn Arends, itfirst coversfoundational questionsWhat is spiritual formation? Bernard sought the counsel of the abbot of Cteaux, St. Stephen Harding, and decided to enter this struggling small new community that had been established by St. Robert of Molesme in 1098 as an effort to restore Benedictinism to a more primitive and austere pattern of life.