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Today’s guest post is by Ewelina Stachurska, a Logos marketing copywriter.
In honor of St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s feast day today, both Saint Bernard on the Love of God and Saint Bernard on Consideration are 50% off with coupon code CLAIRVAUX13 through August 22 And with the code CLAIRVAUX2013, get the Medieval Preaching and Spirituality Collection, which features many works of Saint Bernard’s, for 15% off.
Bernard of Clairvaux started his spiritual journey at a young age. He left his home to join the abbey of Citeaux, where he discovered a talent for settling various disputes amidst the monks. As his mediation and counsel became better known, he was periodically sent to Rome, helping resolve religious and theological issues.
Bernard later founded and led a monastery at Clairvaux, which would eventually hold over 700 monks. The formation of Clairvaux Abbey was painful and tiring for St. Bernard; it’s said that every morning he would ask himself, “Why have I come here?” and then remind himself of his main duty: to lead a holy life. It was through this holy life of devotion to God and others that St. Bernard would leave his impact on the Church and the world as both a saint and a Doctor of the Church.
Bernard founded hundreds of monasteries in different parts of Europe—by the time of his death, 343 of them. He was the first Cistercian monk placed on the calendar of saints and was canonized in 1174 by Pope Alexander III. In 1830, he was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VII for his writings on the love of God, Scripture, the spiritual life, and Mary.
As we remember the life of Saint Bernard today, consider praying this common prayer inspired by his piety:
Father, as I walk along my path of spiritual progress, help me find the purpose you had in mind for me. Sometimes I get confused, and I don’t feel certain what I should be seeking. Help me have the same level of devotion to you as St. Bernard of Clairvaux had when he was seeking you. I desire to do your will, and I know deep in my heart that it will be to my highest good.
Through Jesus Christ’s precious, pure, and holy name I pray. Amen.
St. Bernard, pray for us!
Save up to 50% on the writings of St. Bernard through August 22!
Kevin Clemens
Verbum
