Abate

In the night between 20 and the 21 August celebrates the greatness of this great Saint
At twenty-two he becomes a monk, taking with him about thirty relatives. The monastery is the one founded by Robert of Molesmes in Cîteaux (Cistercium in latino, hence Cistercians). A 25 years send him to found another in Clairvaux, uninhabited countryside, who becomes his and the monks' Clara Vallis. It's confidential, almost shy. But the character is there. Pope and Church are his fixed stars, but many ecclesiastics go against him. He is also severe with the monks of Cluny, in his opinion too smooth, with overly adorned churches, “while the poor is hungry”.
He asks his Cistercians for fewer functions, less reading and a lot of work. He hurls his plowing myths at uncultivated Europe, apostles with the hoe, who bring earth and water to order, and with them the animals, changing European history with effort and prayer. And him, the boss, he is often called upon for top missions, like when he travels throughout Europe to make Pope Innocent II recognized there (Gregorio Papareschi) undermined by the antipope Pietro de' Pierleoni (Anacleto II). And the schism ends, with the help of his prestige, of his persuasive force, but above all of his humility. This ascetic, but, he is not always able to appreciate those who explore other paths of faith. Bernardo harshly attacks the Trinitarian doctrine of Gilberto Porretano, bishop of Poitiers. And he condemns the teaching of Peter Abelard (professor of theology and logic in Paris) which heralds Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure. Read More