St. Bernard of Clairvaux was a renowned preacher of the 11th century and an influential abbot of the Cistercian Order.
He was fueled by a fiery zeal and had a deep love of God that gave him a profound spiritual life.
Here is the collect prayer for his feast day, asking God to inspire in us the same spirit that St. Bernard had, burning with zeal for the Church.
Lord God,
you made Saint Bernard burn with zeal for your house,
and gave him grace to enkindle and enlighten others in your Church.Grant that by his prayer
we may be filled with the same spirit
and always live as children of the light.Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.Amen.