Letters386 Letter CCCLXXXVI (A. D. 1150)

John, Abbot of Casamario to Abbot Bernard.

He consoles Bernard for the unfortunate issue of the [Crusade expedition to the Holy Land.

1 Casamario was a Benedictine Abbey in the neighbourhood of Veroli, in Italy. It was founded in 1005, and the first Abbot To his dear father and venerable Lord Bernard, Brother John, his servant and Abbot of Casamario, such as he is, wishes health, and prays that he may run well and attain a happy end in the grace and love of Christ.

1. I am mindful of the sweet and familiar affection with which at one time, you in your kindness honoured me, though unworthy: and therefore I presume to lay open the thoughts of my heart to your Paternity, as if I were pre'sent with you: trusting in your goodness that I shall not be suspected of the least intention to wound you. For I hope that the feelings of reverent affection, which I have towards you, are not unknown to you: and if I should say anything foolish or ill suited to the occasion, I trust that you will forgive it, in your kindness and gentleness, as a father forgiving a son. It has been told me, dearest father, that you grieve much over the issue of that matter, which has ended so differently, I fear, from your wishes, (I mean the Crusade), that it has not added to the glory of God and the advantage of His Church, as you desired it should do. Wherefore, after long meditating over this matter, God has put into my heart (as I verily believe) these thoughts which I humbly communicate to you, reflecting that the Lord often reveals somewhat to a person of small importance, which He does not permit to be discerned by His servant who is great and fulfilled with many gifts: just as the stranger Jethro gave counsel to Moses, that holy man who spake face to face with God (Exod. xxxiii. 11, and xviii.).

2. It seems then to me, that the glory of God has been was named Benedict. Bernard visited it many times, and was united in a close friendship with Abbot John, the writer of this letter. He was a man of great piety; and in 1140 he affiliated his monastery to the order of Citeaux and observance of Clairvaux. See Ughellus, Italia Sacra, Tom. i. col. 289.

much advanced in this expedition, although not in the manner which was supposed by the Crusaders themselves. If they had been willing to prosecute to the end the enterprise which they had taken in hand, piously and religiously as it became Christian men to do, God would have been with them, and would have certainly done great things by their means. But since they gave themselves over to evil courses, and this could not be hidden from the Lord, the Author of the expedition from the commencement: He that His Providence in the ordering of it might not fail, turned their perverseness into an occasion for His clemency, and by the misfortunes and troubles which He sent upon them purified them, that they might gain the Kingdom [of Heaven]. And I have known some of those who returned, to declare that they had heard many who died in the Holy Land, when dying, protest that they did so willingly, nor desired to return, lest they should fall back into their former sins.

3. But not to leave it doubtful what I would state, I affirm as to my spiritual father in confession, that the patrons of my house, S. John and S. Paul, have deigned often to visit me: and in reply to my questions respecting the Crusade, they have declared that the places left vacant by the multitude of Angels who had fallen, had been filled up by the souls of those who died in the Holy Land. Know this also, that they had an intimate knowledge of you, and have predicted to me that the end of your course will come speedily.

Since then the matter has been ordered according to the will of God, although not as men desired: it will be wise in you to be consoled respecting it in Him, whose glory alone you seek and desire. It was He therefore, who bestowed on you the grace to forward the matter by speech and action, since He foresaw the good which should LETTER CCCLXXXVII.

come out of it. I pray that He will fulfil your course in happiness, and may establish me with you in His Glory.