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Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
In 1115, Bernard founded the Cistercian Abbey of Clairvaux, of which he was appointed Abbot. During his life at Clairvaux Abbey, Bernard had a profound influence on the Veneration of the Virgin Mary within the Catholic religion. His influence within the church helped elevate the status of the Virgin Mary. Before the time of Bernard, Mary held only a minor role in Catholic beliefs. Also from Clairvaux, Bernard became a major supporter of the Second Crusade. Bernard also became an important mediator in the Catholic church during the "Schism of 1130 - 1138". After the death of Pope Honorius in 1130, the Catholic church became divided after an unsuccessful attempt to elect a new Pope. No clear leader of the church had emerged, and the church split between the leadership of Pope Innocent II, and Anacletus. From 1130 to 1138, Bernard traveled extensively between Europe and Rome, helping reunite the church under Pope Innocent II. Bernard died, 21 August 1153, in Clairvaux France. In 1174, St. Bernard was canonized by Pope Alexander III, and in 1830, declared "Doctor of the Church" by Pope Pius VII. Exact details of the vision(s) known as the "Lactation of St. Bernard" are unclear. One account indicates a statue of the Virgin Mary came to life while Bernard was praying. The animated statue of Mary sprayed milk from her breast onto the parched lips of Bernard, forever proving her status as the Virgin Mother of God. Another account tells of a dream in which the Virgin Mary came to Bernard after he fell asleep between prayers. In this vision, Mary pressed her breast against his lips in order that he may receive the Wisdom of God, (or Divine Enlightenment). Visions must be interrupted. What one sees during a vision is a visual metaphor of the spiritual event. In Spiritual Theologies, the term "Virgin" does not refer to purity of the physical body, but rather to Spiritual Purity. While we may never truly understand the Wisdom of these visions: that Bernard received Divine Enlightenment through "Lactation of the Virgin" is significant. | ||||
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In the year 1090 AD, in Fontaines-les-Dijon France, Bernard was born of noble parents. His father, a knight who perished in the First Crusade, was named Tecelin Sorrel, and his mother, a noble woman born into the house of Mon-Bar, was named Aleth. At the age of nine, Bernard was sent to Chatillon-sur-Seine to be educated by the secular canons of Saint-Vorles. And as a young man, being physically unfit for military service, Bernard began to pursue a religious path.
