St Bernards High School - Bernardian Yearbook (Fitchburg, MA)

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Decisions are always hard to make, especially those affecting the future, and Bernard was no exception to this rule. It was not easy for him to break away from family traditions and ties. As the son of the Lord of Fontaines and of Aleth, daughter of the Count de Montbar, he could be sure of a brilliant career at Court, or high distinction and rapid advancement in the military service. His own sterling qualities and personal merit, together with nobility of birth, would secure for him the highest dig- nities in the Church. But what Bernard wanted most was to become a monk at Citeaux, a very poor monastery of no renown. The opposition of his family was so intense that Bernard finally yielded to their entreaties that he should go to Germany and continue his literary studies. One October day, before leaving for Germany, he set out to say goodbye to his brothers in the camp of the Duke of Burgundy. His mother, whom he had loved so dearly, seemed very close to him as the rhythm of his horse’s hoofs and the falling leaves set him to thinking. He knew what she would want him to do and after a visit toa chapel along the road he made his great decision. It was to be Citeaux, not Germany. Today with the convening of the Second Vatican Council, the word ecumenical has become a familiar one. Bernard possessed this ecumenical spirit and his charity reached out to all men, regardless of race or religion. He wrote pleading letters when the Jews were being persecuted in Germany. Later, he went into that country, although very weak physically, preaching peace in town after town. Even though his own life was constantly in danger, he fearlessly defended the persecuted. Finally he accomplished by peaceful means what bishops and public officials had tried to do by force and severity. The dearest of all Bernard’s friends was the Irishman, Malachy. They had first met when Malachy was at Clairvaux in 1139 on his way to Rome. An intimate friendship sprang up between them. Nine years after his first visit, Malachy again was at Clairvaux, but this time, he came to die and was buried at Bernard's monastery, as he had always wished. St. Bernard of Clairvaux 1071-1153 ‘Light of the 12th century’ Peacemaker unrivalled in history, unsurpassed as pastor, preacher, writer, reformer, pacificator, mediator, arbiter, diplomatist, and statesman.

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REVEREND RICHARD V. LONERGAN Senior Class Adviser

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mene Faculty of St. Bernard's High School 1964-1965 Mr. Richard Lamothe Mr. Thomas Lane Mr. Thomas McGuirk World History Mathematics Biology Baseball Coach Physics Physical Science Assistant Basketball Coach Football Coach Athletic Director Mrs. Edmund Burke Mrs. Warren Fisher Mrs. Russell Johnson Secretary Secretary Cafeteria Cheerleader Coach 9