THE MEMORIAL OF ST BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX. ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

THE MEMORIAL OF ST BERNARD. ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH.

The Invited Guests refused to come. Very sad!

THE GOODNEWS :
"Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying,

“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.

"He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.

"A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’

"Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business.

The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them.

"The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

"Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come.

Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’

"The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.

"But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment.

The king said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?’

"But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants,

‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’

Many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22: 1 - 14). 

Thursday 20th August 2026 in the 20th Week in Ordinary Time is the Memorial of St Bernard. Abbot and Doctor of the Church.

Bernard of Clairvaux lived between 1090 and 1153.

He was French. Abbot and Doctor of the Church.

St Bernard was a Cistercian monk who is well known in the history of the Church. A man of great zeal for the Church. A renowned theologian and orator. He represented the Pope as an ambassador for the Crusade.

Among peers, he was a towering giant. Both intellectually and spiritually.
Bernard was immensely learned, holy, cultivated, gentle, and a great teacher and a highly effective preacher.

Last but not the least, Bernard was a great Marian devotee who gave us the Memorare.

I remember Bernard best because of the Memorare Prayer that he left the Church.
The Memorare is one of the most popular prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary recited by many Catholics daily. (Remember O Most Blessed Virgin Mary that never was it known. ..).

St Bernard was a great miracle worker who brought relief to thousands through his intercessions.

Bernard suffered from stomach cancer most of his life and died in 1153 at the age of 63.

August is the Month dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Mary says: "In the end. My Immaculate Heart will triumph."

Look to the Star, Call Upon Mary. St. - Bernard of Clairvaux.

St. Bernard reminds us: "If the winds of temptation arise, look to the Star, call upon Mary!" She is our guide across life's stormy seas.

​Prayer:
Star of the Sea, guide my soul safely to the harbor of Christ's peace.

For Prayers of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Litany, Promises of Mary to those who say the Holy Rosary, etc click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/06/immaculate-heart-of-mary-consecration.html?m=10