The Three Loves of St Bernard of Clairvaux

T

he encyclical Doctor Mellifluus of 24 May 1953 was issued in commemoration of the eight centenary of the death of Bernard of Clairvaux. Pius XII, quoting Jean Mabillon, called Bernard, "the last of the Fathers, but certainly not inferior to the earlier ones." Thomas Merton hailed Doctor Mellifluus thus, "I never saw anything so strong on the mystical life. It was a great inspiration to me..."

I gathered these three loves of St Bernard from the encyclical Doctor Mellifluus.

1. His Love for Jesus

The first and greatest love of St Bernard was Jesus. He taught that God desires to be loved, not simply feared or honored. His spirituality was deeply personal: Christianity was not merely about knowing truths about God, but about loving Christ.

This is especially clear in his famous words about the name of Jesus:

“Jesus is honey on the lips, melody in the ear, joy in the heart.”

For Bernard, the name of Jesus was not merely something to say. It was food, light, and medicine for the soul. When we are sad, afraid, angry, proud, or discouraged, Bernard tells us to return to the name of Jesus. The name reminds us that we are not alone.

His first love, therefore, was very simple: Love Jesus, and let that love shape everything else.

2. His Love for the Church

Bernard’s second great love was the Church, whom he regarded as his mother. His love for Christ naturally became a love for Christ’s Church.

Bernard lived at a time of serious conflicts within the Church, and he repeatedly became involved in disputes in order to restore peace and unity. Even controversies surrounding figures such as Peter Abelard drew Bernard into the theological struggles of his time.

His own success as an abbot also brought difficulties. Bernard entered religious life with companions, and eventually his father and brothers also joined monastic life. Clairvaux grew rapidly, but its success also attracted criticism and opposition.

Bernard accepted these difficulties because he believed that loving the Church meant being willing to suffer with her. He wrote:

“We must work and suffer with our mother.”

This is an important reminder. We do not love the Church only when the Church is peaceful, holy, and easy to love. We love her also in her struggles. To love the Church as mother is to rejoice in her joys, suffer in her wounds, and work for her renewal.

3. His Love for Mary

Bernard’s third great love was Mary. His love for Mary flowed naturally from his love for Jesus and the Church. Mary taught him how to love Christ with an undivided heart.

Bernard especially loved the image of Mary as Stella Maris—the Star of the Sea. Human life, for him, is sometimes like sailing through a storm. We can lose our direction through temptation, suffering, fear, or discouragement. In those moments, Mary is the star who points us toward Christ. She is likened to God's Positioning System or GPS. Mary is always found at any meeting point. No matter how many twists and turns the journey takes, she will lead us to her Son.

St Bernard's advice is beautifully simple:

When life feels less like walking on solid ground and more like being tossed about at sea, look to the star. When temptation becomes a storm, when suffering drives you against the rocks, look to the star; call upon Mary.

When waves of pride, ambition, anger, hatred, or jealousy threaten to overwhelm you, look to the star; call upon Mary. When your sins weigh heavily upon you and you begin to sink into sadness or despair, look to the star; call upon Mary. In danger, in doubt, in difficulty—look to the star. Call upon Mary.

Again, Mary does not replace Christ. Like a star guiding sailors toward their destination, Mary always leads us to her Son.

These are three great loves we can learn from St Bernard: love Jesus with your whole heart, love the Church even in her struggles, and love Mary who always leads us to Jesus. Amen, Fr JM Manzano SJ