Saint Bernard
Abbot, Doctor of the Church, Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
St. Bernard, the famous abbot of Clairvaux in the 12th century, reminded popes, kings and princes of what Christ expected of them, especially in matters of unity and peace, and of a sense of responsibility for their people; he was called the conscience of his time. But he drew the strength for his determined boldness from a strict ascetic life, marked by prayer and contemplation. Christ was the centre of his life: “My daily schedule is Christ’s life,” he wrote.
Opening Prayer
Lord God,
we celebrate today with gratitude
St Bernard, your prophet of unity and reconciliation.
Like him, let us find the strength
to speak out and act when needed
in prayer and contemplation,
that we may see the deeper realities
of life and of our world
with eyes of faith and love.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Such is the one who fears the Lord; whoever embraces the law will gain wisdom.
She will come out to meet him like a mother and greet him like a virgin bride;
she will nourish him with the bread of understanding and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
He will rely on her and will not waver; he will lean on her and will not be let down.
Wisdom will make him greater than his friends, and he will be able to speak in the whole assembly.
He will be crowned with happiness and joy. He will inherit an everlasting name.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 119:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
R. (12) Lord, teach me your statutes.
How shall a young man be faultless in his way?
By keeping to your words.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With all my heart I seek you;
let me not stray from your commands.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Within my heart I treasure your promise,
that I may not sin against you.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
In the way of your decrees I rejoice,
as much as in all riches.
R. Lord, teach me your statutes.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever lives in me and I in him will bear much fruit.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.
May they all be one just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they be one in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one:
I in them and you in me. Then they will be perfect in unity, and the world will know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Father, since you have given them to me, I want them to be with me where I am and see the glory you gave me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you, and they know that you have sent me.
As I revealed your name to them, so will I continue to reveal it so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I also may be in them.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
at his invitation we gather
at the table of your Son
as we prepare to share in his meal.
As he has united us as his brothers and sisters,
may the Holy Spirit keep us united
in the life of every day.
Let him bind us together
in strong and dedicated communities
in which we accept one another
notwithstanding our differences.
Unite us in the love of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
the Psalmist rejoices
when even brothers and sisters
can live together in one love.
Let this be a reality among us
who believe in our one Lord Jesus Christ.
Let the deepest witnessing of our faith be
that we live for one another in the same unity
that united your Son Jesus with you,
our living and loving God, now and for ever.