検索キーワード： "Bernard de Clairvaux" カトリック教義

"We are to love God for Himself, because of a twofold reason; nothing is more reasonable, nothing is more profitable." On Loving God is first a touching description of God's love for us as unmistakenly demonstrated in the death of His Son. Second, it is a call for us to joyfully respond to God like the child who runs and embraces her father whose love is sure. As St. Bernard writes, "They love all the more because they know themselves to be loved so exceedingly."

The day Bernard was born, his mother raised him up to Heaven and consecrated him to God. Although she was gentle and loving, she was also firm and resolute. She was attentive to all her children, giving of herself completely, but with her third born son, she knew in her heart she had been given a special gift from God and she wanted to nurture him and prepare him for his role on Earth. The results: Bernard grew up obedient, brave, hardworking, and surprisingly unspoiled, not unlike his other siblings.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a Burgundian abbot who was credited with the revitalization of the Benedictine order through the nascent Order of the Cistercians. He lived during the time of schism, when the head of the church was in contention. Benedict was chosen to help decide between the claims on the papacy - ultimately siding with Pope Innocent II rather than the Antipope Anacletus II. Benedict played a significant role in unifying the church and protecting its unity against the threat that this dispute signified.