Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Bernard and Dante Bernard led Dante to Mary and then to a vision of God that united him to “the Love that moves the sun and the other stars.”

Bernard Goes to Clairvaux Clairvaux was the first foundation, but eventually there were 68 others.

Preaching Crusade in 1146 Bernard’s preaching a crusade was the dark spot on his life, although he tried to make it a spiritual event rather than simply another holy war.

Interpreting Scripture The basis of interpreting scripture must be the personal experience of the love of God. Only then could scripture be properly understood.

The Path of Love “On the path leading to God, the point of departure is humility and the point of destination is love.”

Self-Acceptance If God loves us, then we can accept ourselves. In learning to accept ourselves as we are, we also begin to love others as they are.

Bernard on Mary Mary’s consent to the action of God is the most excellent model we have of what it means to become a Christian.

Summary “It does not behoove thee, O man, to cross the seas, to penetrate the clouds, or to climb the Alps in search of God…Seek no further than thy own soul; there wilt thou find thy God!”