By Larry Peterson

Menthon Castle stands on the shore of Lake Annecy in a mountainous region that borders Italy, France, and Switzerland. Bernard was most likely born in the castle around the year 1020. He was born into a rich and noble family and, growing up, wanted for nothing. His parents, Richard and Bernoline, hired a man named Germain to be Bernard’s tutor.

Germain taught the boy to read and write, and was extremely diligent in teaching him religion and the prayers and devotions that were part of it. One of the most influential aspects of Germain’s curriculum was spontaneous hikes up into the mountains. These hikes would leave a deep impression on Bernard, more so than Germain could have ever imagined.

When Bernard was a bit older, he was sent to Paris to complete his education. While completing his studies, his parents arranged a marriage for their son. They had no idea that their boy was focused in a different direction. When he arrived home, he refused the marriage offer and told his parents that he was going to pursue the religious life.

(Legend has it that Bernard had to sneak from the castle the night before the arranged wedding and that during his escape he fell from a window 40 feet above the ground. The story goes on to say that Bernard was caught by angels and gently lowered to the ground, unhurt.) Most likely, he managed to escape the castle in a more traditional manner.

The historical story has Bernard arriving home, sitting down with his parents, and telling them his intentions to pursue a religious life. He was going to place himself under the guidance of Peter, the Archdeacon of Aosta, and begin his studies for the priesthood. His parents gave him their blessing. Bernard went to live with Peter, and Peter’s house became Bernard’s seminary.

The exact year of Bernard’s ordination is unknown. What is known is that after he was ordained, his ministry took him into the Alps, where challenging work awaited him. And so, among the peaks of the Alpine mountains, Bernard began working as a missionary.

Although the Diocese of Aosta extended into the Alps, Catholicism had made little inroad into the remote alpine valleys, and most folks living there were still pagan and adhered to various customs, most a combination of Christian and pagan. These isolated regions would be Beranrds parish for the next 42 years.

Bernard traveled through the treacherous mountains preaching the Gospel anywhere he could. Small towns were in isolated locations, and farms were scattered among these tiny towns. Bernard quickly learned of the dangers of Alpine travel. He would often come across pilgrims from Germany or France who were on their way to Rome and whose companions had been swept away by an avalanche or died from exposure in the freezing mountains. Bernard, to help these travelers, opened a monastery and hospice in what is now known as Great St. Bernard Pass. It is 8,100 feet above sea level.

In due time, Bernard was appointed to succeed his mentor, Peter, as the Archdeacon of the Cathedral. This was no honorary appointment. The appointment also meant he was in charge of the government of the diocese, directly under the bishop. It was a powerful position, and Bernard, filled with virtue and learning, was perfect for the post.

Since the most ancient times, the paths across the Pennine Alps has been covered with snow anywhere from seven to ten feet high, with snowdrifts as high as forty feet. Eventually, Bernard opened a second monastery, which became known as the Little St. Bernard Pass. This was 7,076 feet above sea level.

Bernard’s monks had large dogs they had trained to help them find lost and injured travelers or the bodies of those that had perished in the brutally cold weather. These dogs became known as St. Bernards. (Another legend is that Bernard’s parents were among pilgrims rescued by these dogs).

St. Bernard’s work goes on to this day. Travelers are still put up in the hostels created by St. Bernard. As of 2012, there are 35 professed members of Bernard’s congregation providing pastoral care to nearby parishes and travelers from all over the world.

Bernard was canonized a saint by Pope Innocent XI in 1681. Pope Pius XI, an avid mountain climber, named St. Bernard the patron saint of mountaineers in 1923. St. Bernard is also the patron of skiers, snowboarders and rock climbers. His feast day is May 28.

St. Bernard, please pray for us.

copyright©Larry Peterson 2020