Praises of the Virgin Mother by St Bernard : Preface

The following posts present the text of four homilies by St Bernard (1090-1153) frequently given the title of Missus est but which he himself called Praises of the Virgin Mother. 

He was the first Cistercian monk to be placed on the calendar of saints and was canonized by Alexander III on the 18th January 1174. Pope Pius VIII bestowed on him the title of Doctor of the Church, “Doctor mellifluus,” on the 20th of August 1830. 

I offer this annotated presentation of St Bernard’s Homilies as a small gift to our gentle Queen and Mother in gratitude for her multitudinous graces and favours, requesting her continued help and protection for the author and his family.

The Latin text and references are based upon De laudibus Virginis Matris (Patrologia latina, vol. 183. J. P. Migne). The English text is based upon the version compiled and translated at St. Mary's Convent, York, and published by Washbourne in 1909.

👈St Bernard, by Juan Correa de Vivar, c. 1540-45. Museo del Prado (public domain).

The Annunciation, early 1460s; by

Willem Vrelant.The Getty Museum, L.A.

Note

The following four homilies – which constitute one of Bernard’s earliest works – although commonly entitled “On the Missus est” (from the opening words of St Luke’s account of the Annunciation[1]), according to the author’s own intention they should be known as “Praises of the Virgin Mother.” 

He states as much in the Preface and in Letter 18 to Peter, the Cardinal Deacon: “I know,” he says, “that I wrote four homilies on the praises of the Virgin Mother; for that is the title they bear,” etc.; and again in Letter 89 to Ogerius: “I am sending you another text recently published by me on Praises of the Virgin Mother.” Furthermore, those interested should consult Bernard’s treatise “On Baptism,” addressed to Hugh (Chapter 5), where he explains a certain point from this first sermon to correct any misrepresentation.

Footnotes

[1] missus est angelus Gabriel a Deo in civitatem Galilaeae, cui nomen Nazareth / the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth: Luke i. 26.

Preface

The holy Abbot St. Bernard’s Preface to His “Praises of the Virgin Mother.”

I am in straits, for my devotion bids me write but my occupations hinder me. Nevertheless, as sickness prevents me at present from following the community exercises with my brethren, I do not want to waste the little leisure time which comes as a result of shortening my night’s rest. Besides, it is a pleasure for me to attempt what has been for so long in my mind – namely, to speak or write something in praise of the Virgin Mother, concerning that part of St. Luke’s Gospel which contains the history of the Annunciation of our Lord’s birth.

While I devote myself to this work, then so long as the brethren (over whom I am placed and whom it is my happy duty to serve) do not find me less ready to minister either to their pressing needs, or even to their reasonable demands upon my time, I think none ought to object to my thus satisfying my devotion.

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The Virgin of Tenderness. >12th century.

SUB tuum præsidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix. Nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta. Amen. 

 

Totus tuus ego sum

Et omnia mea tua sunt;

Tecum semper tutus sum:

Ad Jesum per Mariam.

He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin. They that explain me shall have life everlasting. Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) xxiv. 30-31.30-31.