Two Accounts of the Early Career of St. Bernard, c. 1150
In the Life of St. Bernard we first learn of Saint Bernard’s childhood and how he came to be a Citeaux monk. Initially he had sought to hide away from the world, but instead found his true calling when he thought all was lost. As the text continues we get to read a detailed account from later in his life. Bernard, an abbot at this time, sets forth with a small band of monks to establish the Clairvaux. It is a difficult journey, but his faith now holds stronger than ever before.
Bernard was born into wealth in his family's castle at Fontaines in Burgundy. Although his father was of noble descent and had access to many riches, he never used his power with malicious intentions due to his fear of God. Similarly, Bernard’s mother lived a careful life, catering to the needs of God, her husband, and seven children. She was intent on raising her children in strict discipline and as a result her six boys became monks and her sole daughter a nun. I think it is interesting how the text says that they are fearful of God. During this time period it seems as though religion was not as much about aligning yourself with good actions and living a happy life, but more about living in fear and submission to avoid the wrath of God.
Once Bernard was old enough his mother rushed …show more content…
I know that these accounts have been researched and studied, but I couldn’t help feeling like the last bit was the conclusion to a really good book. Perhaps that is why they chose to offer these two particular parts of his life together in this source. It just seems to me like there was a moral to this story. In the beginning Bernard had suffered to find his way and experienced great loss. Then by the second story he is the one to show the way to others. I was inspired by these stories, it just goes to show you that you should never give up no matter how hard the
In the Life of St. Bernard we first learn of Saint Bernard’s childhood and how he came to be a Citeaux monk. Initially he had sought to hide away from the world, but instead found his true calling when he thought all was lost. As the text continues we get to read a detailed account from later in his life. Bernard, an abbot at this time, sets forth with a small band of monks to establish the Clairvaux. It is a difficult journey, but his faith now holds stronger than ever before.
Bernard was born into wealth in his family's castle at Fontaines in Burgundy. Although his father was of noble descent and had access to many riches, he never used his power with malicious intentions due to his fear of God. Similarly, Bernard’s mother lived a careful life, catering to the needs of God, her husband, and seven children. She was intent on raising her children in strict discipline and as a result her six boys became monks and her sole daughter a nun. I think it is interesting how the text says that they are fearful of God. During this time period it seems as though religion was not as much about aligning yourself with good actions and living a happy life, but more about living in fear and submission to avoid the wrath of God.
Once Bernard was old enough his mother rushed …show more content…
I know that these accounts have been researched and studied, but I couldn’t help feeling like the last bit was the conclusion to a really good book. Perhaps that is why they chose to offer these two particular parts of his life together in this source. It just seems to me like there was a moral to this story. In the beginning Bernard had suffered to find his way and experienced great loss. Then by the second story he is the one to show the way to others. I was inspired by these stories, it just goes to show you that you should never give up no matter how hard the