Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of St. Bernard from the town of Clairvaux. He was born in the year 1090 and died on this day in 1153.
Bernard was the founding abbot of Clairvaux Abbey in Burgundy, a branch of the Benedictines, and he was one of the most commanding Church leaders in the first half of the twelfth century as well as one of the greatest spiritual masters of all times and the most powerful propagator of the Cistercian reform.
Bernard's spiritual writing as well as his extraordinary personal magnetism began to attract many to Clairvaux and the other Cistercian monasteries, leading to many new foundations. He was drawn into the controversy developing between the new monastic movement which he preeminently represented and the established Cluniac order, a branch of the Benedictines. This led to one of his most controversial and most popular works, his Apologia. Bernard's dynamism soon reached far beyond monastic circles. He was sought as an advisor and mediator by the ruling powers of his age.
Although Bernard suffered from constant physical debility and had to govern a monastery that soon housed several hundred monks and was sending forth groups regularly to begin new monasteries (he personally saw to the establishment of 65 of the 300 Cistercian monasteries founded during his 38 years as abbot), he yet found time to compose many and varied spiritual works that still speak to us today. He laid out a solid foundation for the spiritual life in his works on grace and free will, humility and love. His gifts as a theologian were called upon to respond to the dangerous teachings of the scintillating Peter Abelard, of Gilbert de la Porree and of Arnold of Brescia. His masterpiece, his Sermons on the Song of Songs, was begun in 1136 and was still in composition at the time of his death. With great simplicity and poetic grace Bernard writes of the deepest experiences of the mystical life in ways that became normative for all succeeding writers. Bernard died at Clairvaux on this day in 1153.
Let us pray: O God, by whose grace your servant Bernard of Clairvaux, kindled with the flame of your love, became a burning and a shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
LIFE STORY WRITING GROUP: Enjoy listening and sharing your written stories. Leave a legacy as you develop quality writing. 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Eaton Hall at Trinity Episcopal Church on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of September through December with 8 2 hour sessions. Confidential environment, No tests, No grades, writing skills of all levels. Limited to 14 people. $25 fee to Trinity (Register in Eaton Hall). Contact: Alison Barker at jerryalisonbarker@gmail.com or Meredith Griffin at meredith.marie.griffin@gmail.
The Feast Day of St. Augustine and our 130th Anniversary: Sunday, 24 August 2014 with Eucharist Rite II and a brunch following. Please invite everyone to this festive and historic occasion. The preacher will be the Rev. Freda Marie Brown and the main celebrant will be the Rev. Dr. Helen Appelberg with the Rev. Dr. Tom Bain and the Rev. Dr. Chester Makowski assisting. We will also have a baptism of the Baby Lujan.
Blessing of the Backpacks: Sunday, 31 August 2014.
Seaside Seniors: this Thursday of the month from 11:00 A.M. until the fun stops! The theme is “Cool Summer Salads.”
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially Lee’s mother, Lee and his family, Gladys, Pat, Patricia, Lloyd, Liz, those in war torn areas, and for all those persecuted for their faith.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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