Vigils Reading – St Bernard

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.