Course 3, Chapter 36

Christianity preserved and propagated. — Founding of the Order of St. Anthony. — Of the Knights or St. John, and Knights of St. Lazarus. — Order of St. Bernard. — Eleventh and twelftii Centuries.

1. What is the order of St. Anthony of Vienne?

The order of St. Anthony of Vienne was an order instituted to relieve the sick suffering from St. Anthony's fire. This was an unknown and terrible disease, which ravaged Europe during the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

2. What other religious order was established at this time?

At this time, also, was established the order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem.

3. What were their duties?

Their duties were two-fold, to take care of the sick, and to combat the Saracens. They made the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, and took an oath never to count the enemy; they performed prodigies of valor.

4. Were they the only order devoted to the twofold duty of nursing the sick and combating the infi' dels?

They were not the only order devoted to this two-fold duty. The Knights of St. Lazarus did the

314 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

same thing; but they were specially devoted to th» care of lepers.

Q What was the condition of the lepers?

A . The lepers, driven out of the cities and from the habitations of men, wandered about the country wherts the greatest part of them died of want and destitution. The Knights of St. Lazarus came to their succor, and, in order to secure to them better and more faithful attention, no one but an actual leper could be grand master of the order. This admirable charity recalls to our mind that of our Lord, who took upon himself our infirmities, in order to compassionate them the more.

5. What saint was raised up to relieve the spiritual wants of the Christians?

St. Bernard was raised up for the spiritual succor of the Christians. He banished scandal, confounded heretics and consoled the church.

6. Where was he born?

He was born at Chateau de Fontaines, near Dijoi, and at the age of twenty-three entered the order of Citeaux (the Cistercians,) with his brothers and thirty young noblemen, whom he had gained to Jesus Christ.

7. What did Bernard become at Citeaux?

Bernard soon became the model of the whole community. In order to excite himself to the practice of virtue, he was accustomed to say to himself: Bernard, why hast thou come hither? St. Stephen, abbot of Citeaux, sent him with twelve other religious to found the celebrated abbey of Clairvaux.

8. Where is Clairvaux?

Clairvaux is in the diocess of Langres. It was the haunt of brigands. St. Bernard established himself there, built cells, and soon saw around him five hundred religious, animated with the greatest devotion.

9. What were the principal virtues of St. Bernard?

The principal virtues of St. Bernard were, mild-

ness towards others, severity towards himself and devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He died at Clairvaux, at the age of sixty-three, the 20th of August, 1153.