On Loving God
— Adapted from De Diligendo Deo
Lord, let me love You for Yourself alone, and find in You my rest and my joy.
Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk and one of the most powerful spiritual voices of the medieval Church.
Bernard of Clairvaux is a major figure in the Christian mystical tradition, whose writings continue to shape theology, spirituality, and contemplative practice.
Biography
About
Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk and one of the most powerful spiritual voices of the medieval Church.
Life
Entering the Cistercian monastery at Cîteaux as a young man, Bernard soon became the founding abbot of Clairvaux. His influence spread throughout Europe through his preaching, letters, and guidance to both monastic communities and political leaders.
Theological Vision
Bernard's theology centers on the transforming power of divine love. In his sermons on the Song of Songs he describes the soul's journey into union with God as a movement of love, humility, and contemplation.
Influence
Bernard's writings profoundly shaped medieval spirituality and devotion to the humanity of Christ, leaving a lasting mark on Western contemplative tradition.
Major Works
Eighty-six sermons on the Song of Songs, exploring the soul's loving ascent toward union with God through Christ the divine Bridegroom.
A meditation on why and how we should love God, tracing a movement from self-interested love toward love of God purely for God's own sake.
Counsel addressed to Pope Eugenius III on the interior life, warning against the dangers of busyness and urging contemplative self-knowledge.
Apology to William of St. Thierry
A spirited defense of Cistercian simplicity and austerity, written in contrast to the elaborate ornament of Cluniac monasticism.
Quotes
Selected passages drawn from the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux.
The reason for loving God is God Himself.
The measure of loving God is to love Him without measure.
Love is sufficient in itself, pleases by itself and because of itself.