Weekly Reflection

During the year, we have introduced you to four of our eight new House names from 2023 - Lawrence, Dominic, MacKillop and Bakhita. 

In our final term as Catholic Regional College Melton and before we become St Francis Catholic College, I would like to introduce you to the four remaining House names that will become part of our new identity next year.

Bernard House is named after St Bernard of Clairvaux.

St Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church St Bernard was born of noble parentage in Burgundy, France, in the castle of Fontaines near Dijon. He was sent to a college at Chatillon to study theology and Holy Scripture. After the death of his mother, he resolved to embrace the austere Cistercian Order.

St Bernard was sent by his superior to establish a monastery in Clairvaux, was appointed as Abbot and began that active life that has rendered him the most conspicuous figure in the history of the 12th century.

He founded numerous other monasteries, composed a number of works and undertook many journeys for the honour of God.

The reputation of St Bernard spread far and wide. He was commissioned by Pope Eugene III to preach the second Crusade. He travelled through France and Germany and aroused great enthusiasm for the holy war among the masses of the population.

St Bernard died on August 20, 1153. His Feast Day is 20 August. He is the Patron Saint of the Cistercians, Burgundy, Gibraltar, Queens’ College, Cambridge, and the Knights Templar.