Christian History Home > Issue 24 > Bernard Lives Today
Bernard Lives Today
Cistercians around the world continue to live the monastic life of which Bernard of Clairvaux was the propagator and theologian.
M. Basil Pennington, ocso, is a Benedictine monk, and a leading contemporary exponent of the monastic way of life. Among his various scholarly and popular writings, he has edited and contributed to the books Saint Bernard of Clairvaux: Studies Commemorating the Eighth Centenary of His Canonization and The Cistercian Spirit (Cistercian Publications). He lives at Assumption Abbey in Ava, Missouri. | posted 10/01/1989 12:00AM
Robert of Molesme was 70 years old in 1098 when he left his place in the prosperous Abbey of Molesme at the head of 20 beloved sons to seek a new life in the wilderness of Citeaux. Some contemporaries accused Robert of instability—this was his fourth or fifth move. But later ages in canonizing him have honored his undying zeal, which brought forth a monastic order that flourishes today, over 800 years later. Robert’s sanctity shines forth in the way he obeyed the pope’s order and returned to Molesme only a year after he launched what was to be the fulfillment of his life’s dream and labor.
Robert’s work was carried forth by his disciples—first Alberic, and then the Englishman, Stephen Harding, who one day welcomed into the monastery Bernard of Fontaines and 30 companions. It was Stephen who imparted to Bernard the spirit of Saint Robert and Robert’s master, Benedict of Nursia. The permanence of Robert’s undertaking was assured once it was commanded by the gifts for leadership, writing, ... To view this item, you must be a member of ChristianHistory.net.
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