Early lives of Bernard of Clairvaux / translated and introduced by Alexandra Barratt.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Barratt, Alexandra, translator.

Series:

Cistercian fathers series ; no. 97

Language:

English

Latin

Subjects (All):

Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 1091-1153--Early works to 1800.

Bernard.

Cistercians--History--Sources.

Cistercians.

Christian saints--France--Biography--Early works to 1800.

Christian saints.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xliii, 212 pages ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Collegeville, Minnesota : Cistercian Publications, 2026.

Summary:

"Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a commanding and controversial figure in early-twelfth-century Western European religious and political life. Biographical fragments, the Vita Secunda, and the later Vita Quarta are translated here into English for the first time and show how, and why, in Cistercian and Benedictine circles his memory was cherished in the period immediately before and after his death"--Provided by publisher

"Two biographical fragments of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux's life and works are translated into English for the first time. Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) was a commanding, and controversial, figure in early-twelfth-century Western European religious and political life. Even before his death, his followers expected him to be canonized-hence the various attempts to record his life, deeds, and miracles. Four of these important early witnesses-two biographical fragments, the Vita Secunda (an abbreviation of the Vita Prima), and the later Vita Quarta are here translated into English for the first time. The material they work and re-work testifies to the many evolving ways in which Bernard was perceived by his near contemporaries. They show how, and why, in Cistercian and Benedictine circles his memory was cherished in the period immediately before and after his death"--Provided by publisher

Contents:

The Life and Miracles of Bernard the Abbot

Fragment 1 / Geoffrey of Auxerre

Fragment 2 / ?Raynaud of Foigny

The Second Life of Saint Bernard the Abbot / Alan of Auxerre

The family, childhood, and character of Saint Bernard

His piety, compassion, and cultivation of chastity

He conceives a contempt for the world and a desire to escape, and persuades others

Bernard enters Cîteaux with his companions. His mortification at the time of his novitiate there

Bernard's gifts and his personal appearance

The foundation of Clairvaux and Bernard's appointment as abbot

Bernard's preaching and the conversion of his father and sister

The abbot is ordained by William, bishop of Châlons, who undertakes the care of his health

His vision of the relocation of Clairvaux, and its wonderful discipline under Bernard

Bernard's extraordinary self-denial in sleep, food, drink, and labor, and his study of Holy Scripture

Miracles performed by God through him in sickness, noised abroad by his followers

The healing of Gaudry and his death: a suffering monk's liberation from Purgatory

Bernard's sickness, appearance before the judgment seat of God, and cure

His daily practice, his outstanding virtues, and the manner of his speech

The fame of his holiness, the growth of Clairvaux, and his loving care for his brothers

What he did on his visit to Saint Hugh and the Carthusians, and the feigned conversion of Stephen of Vitry

Bernard's wonderful authority and reputation among all

Pope Innocent is accepted by his authority

The reconciliation of the Milanese, and the miracles he performed

Bernard's refusal of rewards and his disciples' pursuit of them

His journey to Aquitane, and the conversion of Count William

His second journey to Italy, and the intransigence of Roger of Sicily, and the submission of Peter of Pisa

The end of anacletus and his schism. Bernard resumes his exposition of the Song of Songs and reconciles Count Theobald to the king

His patience in sickness, abuse, and rejection

His gentle correction, his kindness and charity, and his writings

He attacks Abelard, and Henry the Heretic

Bernard's views on the miracles he performed. On the unfortunate outcome of the expedition to Jerusalem

The confutation of Gilbert de la Porreé; Bernard's death draws near

He brings peace to the people of Metz

The saint's demeanor and final world while dying, and his precious death

The appearance of Bernard after death, and his burial

The Fourth Life of Saint Bernard the Abbot

The letter of John the Hermit to Peter, Bishop of Tusculanum

The second letter, to Herbert, archbishop of Torres.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 195-198) and index.

ISBN:

9780879074487

0879074485

OCLC:

1552571018