SSF227 – The Nuptials of the Word: St. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Song of Songs

Dates: TBD

Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer, O.P.

Course Overview

The spiritual journey and life of holiness is an adventure of love. Hence it’s no surprise that the Song of Songs allowed one great lover of God, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, to open up this journey for us in an astoundingly brilliant and insightful way. He thus left his mark on all subsequent centuries of Christian spirituality. In this course, we will find in Saint Bernard a rich mysticism of the Word, the central place of our Lord Jesus Christ, the enkindling of a desire aflame for God, a multi-faceted account of contemplation, an attentiveness and responsiveness to visits of the Lord and the inspirations of His grace, the importance of praise and thanksgiving, a grounding in utter humility, an experiential account of mystical prayer, the integration of contemplation and action, and a strong and stable spousal love guiding the soul through the varying ups and downs of this winding journey of love. We will find, in all this, Bernard’s living voice continuing to encourage us to “dare to aspire to the nuptials of the Word.”

Application Deadline

TBD