Saint Bernard of Clairvaux | Doctor of the Church & Marian Devotion

About this sermon

Discover the extraordinary life of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot, Confessor, Doctor of the Church, and one of the most influential Catholic saints of the Middle Ages. Born in 1090, St. Bernard entered the reformed Benedictine life and became a driving force behind the growth of the Cistercian Order. His preaching, spiritual leadership, monastic foundations, defense of Church unity, devotion to Sacred Scripture, and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary helped shape Catholic life across Europe. In this video, learn how Bernard persuaded dozens of relatives to enter the monastery with him, founded Clairvaux, helped prevent a major Church schism, promoted Lectio Divina and spiritual direction, influenced popes and kings, preached the Second Crusade, and left a lasting legacy through his writings, sermons, Marian devotion, and monastic reform. Above all, St. Bernard teaches a timeless Catholic principle: prayer must come before action. Holiness changes history when men and women first seek God and then act according to His will. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us. The closing emphasis on saints changing history through fidelity to Christ and on “prayer first, action second” comes directly from the conclusion of the transcript. 0:29 Who Was St. Bernard of Clairvaux? 0:38 Bernard’s Childhood & Desire to Serve God 0:59 Entering the Reformed Monastic Life 1:45 His Family Tries to Stop Him 2:17 Bernard Converts His Relatives Instead 2:42 The Rise of the Cistercian Reform 2:59 Bernard Is Sent to Found a Monastery 4:16 From the “Bitter Valley” to Clairvaux 4:33 Clairvaux Explodes in Growth 4:57 Bernard Enters Church & Political Affairs 5:13 The Crisis of Two Rival Popes 5:45 His Monk Becomes Pope Eugene III 6:01 Prayer Must Precede Action 6:33 Restoring Lectio Divina 7:05 St. Bernard on Spiritual Direction 7:37 Preaching the Second Crusade 8:08 Miracles of St. Bernard 8:32 The Incredible Story of the Flies 8:55 His Books, Letters & Spiritual Writings 9:19 St. Bernard’s Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary 10:15 Mary as Star of the Sea & Intercessor 10:29 His Death & Extraordinary Legacy 11:31 How Saints Truly Change the World 11:48 Prayer First, Action Second 12:04 Final Prayer & Blessing https://sensusfidelium.us/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/august/august-20-feast-of-st-bernard-abbot-and-doctor-of-the-church/ Please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StBernardOfClairvaux #CatholicSaints #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicChurch #DoctorOfTheChurch #CatholicHistory #Cistercians #LectioDivina #MarianDevotion #CatholicFaith #CatholicSpirituality #Prayer #BlessedVirginMary #ChurchHistory #Catholicism

Topics

• Church & Fellowship
• The Church
• Daily Devotionals