Cîteaux

Cîteaux was a new monastery whose austere life shaped the early monastic path of Bernard of Clairvaux. Its significance in his story lies not only in the hardship of its setting but also in the transition it enabled: Bernard entered its community, underwent novice training, and was then sent to establish Clairvaux.

A New Monastery and an Austere Setting

Around 1113, Bernard chose the new monastery at Cîteaux rather than one of the grand, prestigious monasteries available in the twelfth century. Cîteaux was known for austerity and a hard life. When Bernard arrived, Stephen Harding, an Englishman, was abbot; the facilities were primitive, the land lonely, and the demands of ascetic life severe. The account emphasizes that only strong men could survive such conditions.

Bernard’s Arrival and Formation

Bernard came to Cîteaux with, it was said, thirty friends and relatives. His entry marked a deliberate turn toward monastic life despite the education and talent that might have led him to a different future. He went through novice training in the community. His family’s involvement extended beyond his own choice: all four of his brothers would eventually become monks.

From Cîteaux to Clairvaux

After his training, Bernard was sent from Cîteaux to establish a monastery called Clairvaux. Founding a new house was difficult, though the account gives little detail about the work he undertook at the beginning. The move makes Cîteaux a point of departure in Bernard’s monastic career: it was the austere community in which he was formed before taking on the task of creating another monastery.