About St. Bernard of Clairvaux (
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) was a French Cistercian monk, abbot, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. At a young age, he entered the Cistercian Order and later founded the Abbey of Clairvaux, which became one of the most influential monasteries in medieval Europe.
Known for his eloquent preaching and profound spiritual writings, St. Bernard emphasized humility, contemplation, charity, and complete trust in God. He had an exceptional devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and helped deepen Marian spirituality throughout the Church. Many beloved Marian expressions and prayers are closely associated with his teaching and influence.
St. Bernard also played an important role in guiding the Church during his lifetime, advising popes, defending the Catholic faith, and promoting reform within religious communities. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830 because of his enduring contributions to Catholic theology and spirituality. His feast day is celebrated on August 20.
Why Pray the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena?
- To grow in wisdom and holiness
- To deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ
- To increase devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
- To seek humility and freedom from pride
- To ask for guidance in making important decisions
- To persevere through trials with faith and hope
- To entrust your personal intentions to God through St. Bernard’s intercession
Who was St. Bernard of Clairvaux?
St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a Cistercian monk, abbot, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. He is remembered for his holiness, spiritual writings, powerful preaching, and deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Why is St. Bernard of Clairvaux called a Doctor of the Church?
He received this title because of his outstanding contributions to Catholic theology, spirituality, and his enduring influence on Christian prayer and religious life.
What is St. Bernard of Clairvaux the patron saint of?
St. Bernard is the patron saint of beekeepers, bees, candlemakers, wax refiners, and people seeking spiritual wisdom and guidance.
What can I pray for in the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena?
You may pray for wisdom, humility, stronger faith, perseverance, love for Christ, devotion to Mary, guidance in difficult decisions, or any personal intention.
When should I pray the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena?
The novena may be prayed at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on August 11 so that it concludes on St. Bernard’s feast day, August 20.
How long is the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena?
The novena is prayed for nine consecutive days, asking God to hear your prayers through the intercession of St. Bernard.
Can I pray this novena for someone else?
Yes. You may offer the St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena for your family, friends, those discerning God’s will, or anyone in need of wisdom, faith, or spiritual strength.
| Novena Begins: | August 11 |
| Feast Day: | August 20 |
Patron Saint of Cistercians, Beekeepers, Candle makers
Day 1 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. Bernard of Clairvaux Novena
Let us begin. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Bernard of Clairvaux, faithful servant of God, renowned Doctor of the Church, and devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I come before you with confidence, asking for your powerful intercession.
You loved our Lord Jesus Christ with your whole heart and dedicated your life to prayer, humility, and the faithful teaching of the Gospel. Through your words and example, countless souls were drawn closer to God and inspired to seek holiness.
Obtain for me the grace to grow in faith, hope, and charity. Help me to trust in God’s loving providence, to embrace His holy will with joy, and to persevere in times of trial. Teach me to seek wisdom from above, to reject pride and selfishness, and to live each day with humility and love.
Because of your tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, lead me to her loving care, that through her prayers I may be brought ever closer to her Divine Son, Jesus Christ.
I now entrust to your intercession the intention that I hold in my heart.
(Mention your request here…)
Good St. Bernard, pray that I may always remain faithful to Christ, serve my neighbor with generosity, and one day share with you the everlasting joy of Heaven.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.
Pray 1: Our Father…
Pray 1: Hail Mary…
Pray 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…