St. Bernard of Clairvaux

Definition

St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a French abbot and key figure in the Cistercian monastic reform movement during the 12th century. He is known for his profound influence on Christian spirituality, particularly through his teachings on contemplation and love, which shaped the relationship between art and meditation in the Christian tradition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. St. Bernard founded the Abbey of Clairvaux in 1115, which became a model for Cistercian monasteries and played a crucial role in promoting monastic reforms.
2. He was a powerful preacher and influenced the Second Crusade, advocating for its importance and encouraging Christian knights to participate.
3. Bernard's writings, particularly 'On Loving God,' emphasize the transformative power of love in one's relationship with God and have been significant in shaping Christian meditation practices.
4. His approach to spirituality integrated intellectual understanding with deep emotional experience, making it accessible to laypeople and monks alike.
5. St. Bernard's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as his thoughts on mysticism and love have inspired countless artists and theologians throughout the centuries.

Review Questions

• How did St. Bernard of Clairvaux influence Christian meditation practices through his teachings?
  • St. Bernard significantly shaped Christian meditation by emphasizing love as a central theme in one’s spiritual journey. His writings encouraged practitioners to focus on their relationship with God through contemplative prayer and meditation on divine love. This approach not only deepened individual spirituality but also inspired artistic expressions that reflect this intimate connection with the divine.
• Discuss the impact of St. Bernard's writings on the Cistercian Order and its practices.
  • St. Bernard's writings had a profound impact on the Cistercian Order by reinforcing their commitment to simplicity, manual labor, and contemplation. His emphasis on love as a path to God resonated with Cistercian ideals, encouraging monks to engage deeply in prayer and reflection. This alignment of Bernard's teachings with Cistercian practices helped solidify the order's identity and spiritual focus during the medieval period.
• Evaluate how St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s theology contributed to the relationship between Christian art and spirituality in medieval culture.
  • St. Bernard’s theology contributed significantly to the relationship between Christian art and spirituality by framing love as central to religious experience. His ideas encouraged artists to depict divine love through their works, leading to a rich interplay between artistic expression and spiritual contemplation. The emphasis on mystical experiences in his writings inspired artists to create pieces that invite viewers into deeper meditative states, ultimately transforming how faith was visually represented in medieval culture.

Related terms

Cistercian Order: A Roman Catholic monastic order founded in 1098, emphasizing simplicity, manual labor, and a return to the strict observance of the Rule of St. Benedict.

Mysticism: A spiritual practice aimed at achieving communion with the divine through meditation, contemplation, and prayer.

Theology of Love: Bernard's teachings that emphasize love as the highest form of devotion to God, influencing both spiritual practices and artistic expressions in medieval Christianity.