The "Honey-Sweet Doctor"

After learning what would be required to gain eternal life, and to be fully perfect, the rich young man turned away sad, for he was far too attached to his possessions to sell them and give to proceeds to the poor (cf. Mt 19: 22).  Some, however, were able to make that choice, one of them being a young man now known as St. Bernard of Clairvaux. A handsome, talented, man who loved life, gradually felt an attraction to a way of life opposite from the way he had been living. This attraction grew and brought him to the monastery of Citeaux, a newly founded establishment where the Rule of St. Benedict was strictly observed.  Many of his friends had tried to dissuade him from making such a move, but his discussion led 31 of his friends to enter with him. Later he was asked to begin another Cistercian Monastery in the "Valley of Wormwood" which later became the "Valley of Light", Clairvaux.  His learning and ability to preach earned him the title of Father of the Church, the last Father in the Western Church, and the nickname, "the Honey Sweet Doctor", for his sweet and smooth eloquence and for his bee-hives!.  The beloved prayer, the Memorare, so fundamental in our Marist Prayer Life,  is attributed to him. May others who are discerniing God's call be inspired by St. Bernard to take that step as he did and find the joy and peace he discovered.
Bro. Rene