biography
| name: |
Bernard of Clairvaux, St
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known as the Mellifluous Doctor
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pronunciation:
[klairvoh]
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1090–1153)
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| biography:
| Theologian and reformer, born in Fontaines, NE France. He entered the Cistercian monastery of Cîteaux (1113), and became the first abbot of the newly-founded monastery of Clairvaux, in Champagne (1115). His studious, ascetic life and stirring eloquence made him the oracle of Christendom; he founded more than 70 monasteries; and he is regarded by the Catholic Church as the last of the Fathers. His preaching kindled the enthusiasm of France for the second Crusade (1146). His writings comprise more than 400 epistles, 340 sermons, a Life of St Malachy, and distinct theological treatises. He was canonized in 1174. The monks of his reformed branch of the Cistercians are often called Bernardines. Feast day 20 August. |
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