Page "Bernard of Clairvaux" Paragraph 4

Following the Christian defeat at the Siege of Edessa, the pope commissioned Bernard to preach the Second Crusade.

The last years of Bernard's life were saddened by the failure of the crusaders, the entire responsibility for which was thrown upon him.

Bernard died at age 63, after 40 years spent in the cloister.

He was the first Cistercian placed on the calendar of saints, and was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 18 January 1174.

In 1830, Pope Pius VIII bestowed upon Bernard the title " Doctor of the Church ".