Saint Bernard was born to the French nobility; brother of Saint Humbeline. At age 22, Fearing the ways of the world, he and four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of Citeaux at the age of 22. Following him, his father and another brother joined soon after in the abbey of Benedictine. Later he founded and led the monastery of Clairvaux which soon had over 700 monks and eventually 160 daughter houses.
He had taken the initiative to Revise and reform the Cistercians. He was an advisor to, and admonisher of, King Louis the Fat and King Louis the Young. Attended the Second Lateran Council.
He preached in France, Italy, and Germany and helped organize the Second Crusade. He had been the spiritual advisor to Pope Eugene III, who had originally been one of his monks. The First Cistercian monk was placed on the calendar of saints. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius VIII.