2023-08-20 02:00:00
The effort that Bernardo put into achieving holiness through the original spirit of monastic life made his superiors trust him to lead an ambitious project. At only 25 years old he was sent as abbot to found, with twelve other monks, a new monastery in Champagne, which he called “Clairvaux” – that is, Claraval, which in French means “clear valley” -.
Bernardo led a rigorous and demanding life. His constant prayer and his concern to be faithful to Christ in everything attracted many to monastic life. He earned the nickname “the hunter of souls and vocations.” It is said that the girls were afraid that she would talk to their boyfriends because they would end up asking to be admitted to the abbey.
Bernardo visited and preached in schools, universities, towns and fields to talk about the benefits of religious life.
He founded nearly 300 monasteries and got 900 men to profess their vows. One of his disciples, Bernardo de Pisa, became Pope, with the name of Eugenio III.
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