The Works of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (9 vols.)

In volume one of Samuel J. Eales’ comprehensive two-volume collection of letters from Saint Bernard, Eales provides an in-depth introduction to the life and works of St. Bernard, a Bernadine chronology, and a quick list of dates for each of the included letters. Eales also provides a summary at the top of each letter, as well as concise biographical material for each letter’s recipient. Volume one includes letters 1–145.

In volume two of Samuel J. Eales’ comprehensive two-volume collection of letters from Saint Bernard, Eales provides an introduction with a description of the position and site of the Abbey of Clairvaux and some notes on the Seal of St. Bernard. Eales also provides a summary at the top of each letter, as well as concise biographical material for each letter’s recipient. Volume one includes letters 146–380.

St. Bernard’s On Consideration reminds the pastor that love for God and a rich life of prayer must precede any action in the temporal sphere—regardless of the distractions and temptations of his office. Originally written for his friend and former disciple, Pope Eugenius III, On Consideration remains a favorite of popes even to this day and was highly praised by John Calvin. St. Bernard’s meditations are an enduring source of inspiration for all pastors.

On the Love of God addresses the reasons we ought to love God and the manner and different degrees of this love. St. Bernard teaches that God Himself is the motive of our love for him and that nothing is more reasonable and nothing more profitable than loving him. He then lays out the degrees whereby the soul proceeds from loving God for its own sake to loving the self only for God.

These 19 sermons, originally given in Latin at the Chapter-house at Clairvaux, all relate to the mysteries of Advent and Christmas. John Cuthbert Hedley, the bishop of Newport from 1881–1915, provides and introduction to these illuminating sermons.

Written before the Synod of Kells met in 1152, Bernard of Clairvaux’s biography of Malachy of Armagh covers Malachy’s entire spirit-filled life, from boyhood to his canonization. Before the English translation of St. Bernard’s Life of St. Malachy of Armagh, translator H.J. Lawlor provides an in-depth, 60+ page introduction to the state of the Irish Church during the time of St. Malachy’s life, a time he calls “a Reformation, though it might perhaps be more accurately described as an ecclesiastical revolution.” Also included with this volume are various letters and two sermons from St. Bernard.

Translated from the original Latin into English, these sermons on the “Song of Solomon, instead of being dry-as-dust homilies, are as varied and many-colored as is the spiritual life, every aspect of which they discuss with equal solidity and elegance.” Volume one of St. Bernard’s Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles contains sermons 1–43.

Translated from the original Latin into English, these sermons on the “Song of Solomon, instead of being dry-as-dust homilies, are as varied and many-colored as is the spiritual life, every aspect of which they discuss with equal solidity and elegance.” Volume two of St. Bernard’s Sermons on the Canticle of Canticles contains sermons 44–86.

Watkin W. Williams translates from the original Latin into English St. Bernard of Clairvaux’s treatise Concerning Grace and Free Will. Williams provides abundant notes and commentary on St. Bernard’s exposition, as well as an in-depth introduction.