If he were walking among us today, St Bernard of Clairvaux would probably be described by Gen Z as exuding “main character energy.”
He was such a compelling personality, so filled with fervour, that in communicating his desire to enter religious life to his friends and relatives, he convinced many of them to do the same.
When he arrived at the monastery of Cîteaux in the year 1113 and knocked on the door, there were 30 others behind him, also seeking admission to the monastery.
He was an advisor to popes and Kings.
He is the man who wrote the religious rule for the Knights Templar.
Having celebrated his feast day earlier this week (20 August), I was prompted re-read one of his classic works: On Consideration.
He wrote it in response to a request from one of his former students who had just been elected pope: Eugene III, the first Cistercian pope.
Eugene, new to the role, had asked his former teacher for advice on how to best exercise his authority as Supreme Pontiff, as Chief Shepherd of the Universal Church.
The text is a masterful treatise, full of edifying advice on how to exercise leadership in a Christian context.
Benedict XVI recommended it as compulsory reading for everyone in the church.
But I have always been tremendously moved by the fact that, at the very end of those five short books, having written marvellous, penetrating things, St Bernard concludes:
“He must still be sought who has not yet sufficiently been found, and who cannot be sought too much; but he is perhaps more worthily sought and more easily found by prayer than by discussion. Therefore, let this be the end of the book but not the end of the search.”
As we plan and prepare for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028, I appreciate the timely reminder from St Bernard that we at the bureaucratic end of the IEC should really be spending more time in the chapel than on expanding the strategic risk register (as vital as that latter work undoubtedly is).
Ultimately, we hope that the IEC in 2028 will be a symphony of prayer; an outpouring of grace that will spur a renewal of hearts, parishes and dioceses across the country.
Indeed, the first “year of preparation” for the IEC which commences in September this year can be summarised as a “call to prayer.”
Just like my obsessive focus on the strategic risk register, many of you no doubt have all-consuming occupations and concerns, and prayer does not always come easily.
As Bernard himself remarks with great poignancy at one point during his Sermons on the Song of Songs, “I used to seek with a hard and frozen heart him whom my soul wished to love.” (Sermon XVI)
Our contemporary world often acts as a giant freezer for the best of our spiritual and charitable intentions: there is always another job to be done, always another pressing task to be completed.
And so the thawing of our hearts is often a necessary preliminary to prayer.
The catechetical schema that has been developed for the next three years ahead of the IEC in 2028 takes account of the busy nature of our lives: a variety of materials have been developed in order that the greatest number of people possible might be engaged and grow in their love and knowledge of Christ in the Eucharist.
There will be short texts, long texts, podcasts, and catchy videos–all highlighting various theological points.
But, in the end, we must all remember to take the time to thaw our hearts and attend to the gift that is being offered.
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Is 55:8-9)
Once the new IEC website is live, I would encourage all of you to visit the page dedicated to catechesis–even if only once a month as new material is uploaded–and take some time to read, reflect, watch, listen and pray.
With that in mind, let this be the end of my article, but not the end of our search.
If you would like more information on the Eucharistic Congress in 2028, or to be added to the mailing list for updates of when the website is live, please email: iec2028@sydneycatholic.org
