As a young boy, St. Bernard of Clairveaux (1090-1150) was sent to a school run by priests at Chậtillon-sur-Siene. He was a good student, and even as a young person had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.
As a young adult, he became severely ill and thought he was going to die. In the midst of his suffering, he asked two of his friends to go to church and pray for him.
The Blessed Mother, along with St. Lawrence and St. Benedict, appeared to him. They touched him in the places where he was most in pain, and he felt immediate relief. While he was not completely healed, he was on the road to recovery. He used his time of convalescence to work on his first treatise on humility and pride.
An alternative version of this story has St. Bernard himself praying for healing before an image of the Blessed Mother. The image came to life, and she squeezed her breast, allowing three drops of milk to fall onto his lips. In this retelling, he was immediately healed.
Prayer
Blessed Mother, St. Bernard turned to you in prayer in his time of suffering. When we are suffering, help us always to remember we can call on you for assistance.
Reflection
Images of Mary with her breast exposed feeding the Christ Child were once very common. A mother providing nourishment for her child, true sustenance for life, is a powerful image. How can we better provide nourishment (physical, emotional, spiritual) for children in our care?
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