Letter CCCXXIV. To Robert, Abbot of Dunes

(A.D. 1139.)'

Bernard suggests the thought of the future union of their souls, and also bodies, in the Resurrection, as the solace of their absence from each other.¹

To his brother and very dear friend, Abbot ROBERT, Brother BERNARD, of Clairvaux, sends assurance of devoted friendship.

You were late made known to me, my dear Robert, and speedily taken away. But I am consoled by this fact, that it is only in the body that we are separated, and that in soul you are always with me. Yet how could I bear even this with resignation, if it were not in the cause of God Himself? But a time shall, shall come, when we shall be restored to each other, and when we shall each of us rejoice in the other as in himself; we shall be in each other's presence with each part of our being, nor fear to be thereafter in any way divided. He who is now the cause of our temporary separation shall be then the bond of our close union. He shall be present without ceasing to each of us, and shall render us constantly present to each other. I salute all your sons, whom I regard as mine also, and entreat that they will pray for me.²

Footnotes

1. It was this Robert who succeeded Bernard as Abbot of Clairvaux, having been named by him as his successor when dying. The Belgians call the hills or mounds of white sand thrown up by the sea, Dunes. This was a monastery founded by S. Bernard, near Fumes, in Belgium, and was in a very flourishing condition; but the renewal of the wooden piles which hindered the advance of the sands was neglected " through the calamities of war," and the buildings being completely overwhelmed the convent was removed to Bruges. ↩

2. Formerly No. 336; the former No. 324 is now No. 382. ↩