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| St. Bernard of Clairvaux choking a demon! |
Today is the feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), surely a saint for our time. He opposed anti-pope Anacletus II who remained on the papal throne until his death. Anacletus's anti-pope successor, Victor III, repented and resigned after two days and acknowledged the true pope, Innocent II. We are not the only ones living in confusing times.
Fred Martinez at the Catholic Monitor addressed this yesterday quoting extensively from an article on Ann Barhardt's website. I invite readers to reflect on Church history and the reality of past bad popes and controversies over anti-popes. Our era is not the first challenging and confusing time in the Church.
Mark Docherty at Non Veni Pacem has a series of St. Bernard quotes today, another good site to visit and read what this brilliant saint had to say. One of my favorites is, “What we love we shall grow to resemble.” would you like to resemble a pile of gold or the Blessed Mother? Would you rather resemble a whole roast pig with an apple in its mouth or Jesus Christ? Would you rather resemble a hooker with pink hair and a nose ring or St. Maria Goretti?
This morning I was saying an "instant novena," nine Memoraries of petition and one of thanksgiving. The Memorare is the prayer of St. Bernard. Will you join me in praying it today?
Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to your protection, implored your help, and sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful! O mother of the word incarnate, despise not my petitions; but in your clemency hear and answer me. Amen.
Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.
St. Bernard, pray for us.
Solid.
ReplyDeleteThis is what I love about the RCC - deep, deep waters of Tradition, Magisterial teachings, Dogmas and untold choirs of Saints through Millennias who faced strikingly similar problems, endured, persevered, prevailed and now guide us in perfect Charity to our true Home. It puts the current broken actors who think they are lords of the earth into proper perspective.
And I love how in the depiction of St Bernard, the agent of the demons defeat is not in St Bernard’s holy “super power” … it is in the grace of the Stole, his authority as Priest in the Name of Jesus Christ - he simply lays it on his sulphuric neck and the demon is bound.