THE MELLIFLOUS DOCTOR
By Pope Pius XII1
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“The last of the Fathers, but certainly not unequal to the earlier ones“,
was remarkable for such qualities of nature and mind, which were enriched by
God with heavenly gifts, that amid the varied and sometimes stormy events of
his age, he seemed to dominate by his sanctity, wisdom and most prudent
counsel. It is a source of gratification so to meditate on his merits and to set
them forth in writing that, not only the members of his own Order, but also all
those who find their delights principally in whatever is true, beautiful or holy
may feel themselves spurred on to imitate the brilliant example of his virtues.
His doctrine was drawn almost exclusively from the pages of Sacred
Scripture and from the Holy Fathers, which he had at hand day and night in his
profound meditations; and not from the subtle reasonings of dialecticians and
philosophers, which on more than one occasion he appeared to hold in low
esteem. But it should be remarked that he does not reject that human
philosophy which is genuine philosophy, namely, that which leads to God, to
correct living and to Christian wisdom.
It is clear that in his study and his contemplation under the influence of
love rather than the subtlety of human reasoning, Bernard’s sole aim was to
direct toward the Supreme Truth all the rays of truth which he had assembled
from many different sources; drawing from them light for the mind, the fire of
charity for the soul, and correct norms for the guidance of conduct. This is
indeed true wisdom, which transcends all things human, and brings everything
back to its source, that is, to God, in order to convert all to Him. The Mellifluous
Doctor makes his way with deliberate care through the uncertain and
precarious circuits of reasoning, not trusting in the keenness of his own mind7
nor depending upon the labored and artful syllogisms which many of the
dialecticians of his time frequently abused, but, like an eagle, attempting to fix
his eyes on the sun, he pushes on with swift flight to the summit of truth.
The charity which activated him makes light of obstacles and, so to speak,
gives wings to the mind. For him, learning is not the final goal, but rather a path
leading to God; it is not the cold object of empty speculation, an intellectual
diversion, fascinating the mind with its play of light and glory, but it is moved,
impelled and governed by love. Wherefore, borne up by this wisdom and by
means of meditation, contemplation and love, Bernard ascends the peak of the
mystical life and is united with God Himself, tasting at times almost infinite
happiness even in this mortal life.