WHY ANOTHER CRUSADE? by Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

[Dawn Marie]

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090?–1153)

(About 1145)

Born in 1091, died in 1153; made Abbot of Clairvaux in 1115; refused many offers of preferment, but exercised strong influence on the church politics of Europe; procured the condemnation of Abelard’s writings in 1140; promoted the Second Crusade of 1146.

 

WHY ANOTHER CRUSADE?

Oh, ye who listen to me, hasten then to appease the anger of Heaven, but no longer implore His goodness by vain complaints; clothe not yourselves in sackcloth, but cover yourselves with your impenetrable bucklers; the din of arms, the dangers, the labors, the fatigues of war are the penances that God now imposes upon you. Hasten then to expiate your sins by victories over the infidels, and let the deliverance of holy places be the reward of your repentance.

If it were announced to you that the enemy had invaded your cities, your castles, your lands; had ravished your wives and your daughters, and profaned your temples—which among you would not fly to arms? Well, then, all these calamities, and calamities still greater, have fallen upon your brethren, upon the family of Jesus Christ, which is yours. Why do you hesitate to repair so many evils—to revenge so many outrages? Will you allow the infidels to contemplate in peace the ravages they have committed on Christian people? Remember that their triumph will be a subject for grief to all ages and an eternal opprobrium upon the generation that has endured it. Yes, the living God has charged me to announce to you that He will punish them who shall not have defended Him against His enemies.

Fly then to arms; let a holy rage animate you in the fight, and let the Christian world resound with these words of the prophet, “Cursed be he who does not stain his sword with blood!” If the Lord calls you to the defense of His heritage think not that His hand has lost its power. Could He not send twelve legions of angels or breathe one word and all His enemies would crumble away into dust? But God has considered the sons of men, to open for them the road to His mercy. His goodness has caused to dawn for you a day of safety by calling on you to avenge His glory and His name.

Christian warriors, He who gave His life for you, to-day demands yours in return. These are combats worthy of you, combats in which it is glorious to conquer and advantageous to die. Illustrious knights, generous defenders of the Cross, remember the example of your fathers who conquered Jerusalem, and whose names are inscribed in Heaven; abandon then the things that perish, to gather unfading palms, and conquer a Kingdom which has no end.

[Dawn Marie]

I found some time ago, a letter from Saint Catherine of Sienna to some laymen encouraging eh hem, (that would be an understatement :)  ) them to get up and fight in the Crusade Saint Bernard was preaching about here.

I can't remember where I read it so I can't post it, but her words in no uncertain terms were (paraphrasing) get up and fight and don't come back until you've killed the infidels.

I wish I could find that letter again.

[Cathleen]

And people think that Christians are pacifists?  :-o