Today, May 28, we celebrate the feast day of
Saint Bernard of Montjoux (923-1008), the patron saint of skiers, alpinists, hikers, and travelers in the mountains, and minister to Alpine travelers for over 40 years. He is remembered for his devotion to the Lord, and tireless preaching of His word to travelers, living and working in the most inhospitable of places, and through warmth and comfort offered to travelers, converting many.
The early life of Saint Bernard is lost to Holy Legend. Sources suggest that Bernard was born of nobility, likely in Italy or France, and left home to study in Paris. Upon the arrangement of an honorable marriage by his parents, Bernard returned home to profess his preference to devote himself to the Lord, entering the religious life. Some scholars suggest that his parents, pagans perhaps, were not pleased with this and locked him in the tower of their chateau. Saint Bernard is said to have thrown himself from the tower, only to be carried by angels the forty feet to the ground and set gently upon it. He is said to have fled to the monastery.
Church scholars agree that Saint Bernard found his way to the Benedictine Order, entering the monastery at Aosta, Italy, and eventually becoming ordained a priest. Recognized for his patience and obedience, as well as his knowledge and virtue, Saint Bernard was made archbishop of the Alpine Diocese, a most inhospitable route through the mountains between Italy and Switzerland. This was a common path of pilgrimage for those journeying to Rome, and was also quite dangerous due to weather and thieves.
Saint Bernard undertook his charge with vigor, establishing two hospices in the pass that would eventually be named for him—one at the highest point (8,000 feet) and one at the second highest point (7,076 feet)—both perpetually covered with approximately 8 feet of snow. He further built and dedicated a church to Saint Nicholas there. He filled the buildings with warmth and love, catering to travelers and strangers, always finding time to speak with them about the love of God. Bernard organized roving patrols throughout the mountain pass, driving out the thieves and brigands. Having obtained permission from Rome, he invited members of the Augustine Order to help him minister to travelers. With their help, he patrolled the mountains searching for lost travelers, oftentimes with dogs carrying water around their necks—the same dogs that would eventually be named for him. The Order offered food, clothing, and shelter to the travelers and took care of the unfortunate who perished during the journey. They depended solely on gifts and collections for sustenance.
Saint Bernard’s life was one of simple service in a difficult environment. His hospitality was legendary, and his works survive today in the form of the hospices he established. His community—the Houses and Congregations of Saints Nicholas and Bernard—remains active today, maintaining the Alpine hospices as well as one in the Himalayas. Upon his death, he was interred at the cloisters of Saint Lawrence. Numerous miracles were reported at the site of his burial, as well as in Saint Bernard’s pass. We are inspired by the love of Saint Bernard to extend ourselves to those in need, never missing an opportunity to show God’s love. Saint Bernard reminds us of the epistle of Saint Peter (1 Peter 4: 7-11):
Inspired by the origins and spiritual history of the Holy Rosary, we continue our meditation on the psalms, one each day, in order, for 150 days.
Today’s Psalm: Psalm 34: Praise of God, the Protector of the Just
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.
Day 148 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Hearts of Hospitality for those around us
Requested Intentions: Recovery of left shoulder fracture (E); Financial recovery (A); The repose of a lonely soul (L); Health for an ailing nephew (A); Those suffering from depression (J); Successful conception of a child (D); Successful adoption (S); Healing of a father battling cancer (S); For the guidance of Our Blessed Mother (A); Recovery from a stroke (R).
Psalm: Psalm 34: Praise of God, the Protector of the Just
Thank you so much for all this info. I am doing a project on Saint Bernard and this really helped
ReplyDeleteThanks A lot!!!