Tag Archive for ‘Bernard of Clairvaux’
St. Bernard reminds us to properly prepare for the Lord’s Coming
[Yet people] observe these days (Advent) out of stale routine, without devotion or emotion. Further—and still worse—the remembrance of this condescension is turned into a pretext for the flesh. During those days you may see them preparing splendid clothes and special foods with utmost care—as if Christ at his birth would be seeking these and [...]
Prayer for Advent
Lord, I entreat, be pleased to rescue me, for I am weak, for I was stolen away out of my homeland and, being innocent, was cast here into this pit. No, not entirely innocent, yet innocent enough in comparison with the one who led me astray. I was taken in by a life, Lord. Let [...]
Have before you the Image of Christ
The soul at prayer should have before her a sacred image of the God-man, in his birth or infancy or as he was teaching, or dying, or rising, or ascending. Whatever form it takes this image must bind the soul with the love of virtue and expel carnal vices, eliminate temptations and quiet desires. Bernard [...]
All Saints
Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from [...]
St. Bernard: “a sword has truly pierced your soul!”
In another famous Sermon on the Sunday in the Octave of the Assumption the Holy Abbot described with passionate words Mary’s intimate participation in the redeeming sacrifice of her Son. “O Blessed Mother”, he exclaimed, “a sword has truly pierced your soul!… So deeply has the violence of pain pierced your soul, that we may [...]
Understanding the Cistercian Fathers
This the final part of an interview with Fr. Michael Casey, OSCO January, 2010. (In studying their sermons) It seems to me, that Guerric of Igny took a lot of care about his discourses and he had long practice and he probably wrote them out in advance and delivered them pretty much as they are [...]
Reading the Cistercian Fathers
This is a continuation of an interview with Fr. Michael Casey, OSCO January, 2010. Br Chris: How do you recommend reading the Cistercian Fathers? Fr Michael Casey: It depends on the individual. Some people you give them a reading list and they read it, other people you give them a reading list and they don’t [...]
The one who is displeasing to himself is pleasing to God
Let the soul harken to the divine voice, and to her own amazement and wonder she will hear it say, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Who is poorer in spirit than the person whose spirit finds no rest and who has nowhere to lay his head? This [...]
God has the words of eternal life
God has the words of eternal life, and the hour is coming —if only it were already here!—when the dead shall hear his voice, and those who hear him shall live, for life is in his will. And if you want to know, his will is our conversion. Listen to him then: ‘Is it my [...]
Who is pleasing to God?
Let the soul harken to the divine voice, and to her own amazement and wonder she will hear it say, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’. Who is poorer in spirit than the person whose spirit finds no rest and who has nowhere to lay his head? This [...]
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