He was born an aristocrat

• He motivated nearly all his brothers and friends to become monks with him.
• He reformed an entire religious order.
• He advised kings and popes.
• He was an important figure at an Ecumenical Council.
• He ended schisms and launched campaigns.
• He wrote magnificent works of faith.
• He inspired one of history’s greatest poets.
• He was the first member of his order to become a saint.
• He was solemnly declared a Doctor of the Church.
• Today, thousands follow his example in imitating Christ.

Sadly, uninformed people today only know about the dog.

St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the great reformer of the Cistercian order, died on this very day in 1153.