Born in Fontaines, France in 1091, this Doctor of the Church was the son of a knight and pious mother. Bernard was educated with particular care because a devout man had foretold his greatness in the Church before he was born. At the age of 22, he decided to enter the strict institute of the Cistercian Order, and convinced his brothers and several young friends to follow his example. Bernard presented himself, with 30 other young men he had recruited, to the holy abbot, St. Stephen, at Citeaux in 1113. The monastery, which was experiencing diminished numbers of vocations as people preferred the larger Benedictine monasteries of the time, sprang to life with its new monks.

Bernard progressed quickly in his formation, and three years after his entrance, he was sent to found a new monastery at Vallée d' Absinthe in order to provide some relief for the growing house at Citeaux. On June 25, 1115, he named the new monastery Clairvaux, or "Valley of Light" and began to serve as its holy abbot.

Bernard strove to overcome his bodily senses in order to live entirely absorbed in religious meditation. He only took food in order to keep himself from fainting, and he counted sleep as a waste of time. Bernard's regimen at Clairvaux became so austere that his health began to fail, and it took the influence of his friend William of Champeaux and the General Chapter to rescind some of his difficult routine.

Bernard's health returned and he began a period of great influence in ecclesiastical activity. He was involved in many major events in the Church during that time. After Pope Honorius died in 1130, a dispute arose between Anacletus II and Innocent II when both could claim election by a section of cardinals. The conflict threatened a serious schism within the Church. When King Louis the Fat requested that Bernard be present and give his advice at a meeting of a council of archbishops, Bernard carefully gave his favor to Innocent II. Through Bernard's work, the emperor also placed his support behind Innocent, Anacletus was driven from his occupation of Rome and subsequent challengers were denied the office. Bernard gained considerable renown for remedying the situation and preventing further divisions within the Church.

Bernard is also known for successfully defeating the heretic Peter Abelard and for encouraging the growth of the Cistercians throughout Europe. Though he preferred a life of quiet contemplation, many people sought Bernard for advice and direction.

Perhaps the largest error of Bernard's career came with he was appointed by the French King Louis VII, and the German emperor, Conrad III, to head a vast army during the Crusades. The Christian armies came upon much ruin and were often destroyed or broken apart. Bernard was identified as the leader of the movement and blame fell upon his shoulders for the failed mission.

Bernard was known for his enthusiasm, strong friendship, tenacity and his frequently indignant behavior. He died August 20, 1153, and it was not until after his death that he was honored for his great commitment and contributions to the Church. He had founded 163 monasteries across Europe, which had increased to 343 by the time of his death. He was canonized on January 18, 1174 by Alexander III and was officially named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII in 1830.