St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry

"Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace.
Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived.
This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven."

– St. Rose of Lima, pray for us!

Artwork: "Saint Rose of Lima" by Claudio Coello, 17th century

"Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,
our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile,
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

Pray for us O holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ."

Artwork: "The Coronation of the Virgin" by Pala di San Francesco al Monte, 1504

We're looking forward to hosting our Annual Academic Convocation to officially welcome the start of our new 2024 - 2025 academic year this Saturday, August 24th!

This year's Convocation will feature Professor Siobhan Maloney Latar, S.T.D., on the topic of "The Word Become Flesh: The Incarnational Vocation of Theology."

Join us either in-person or virtually! Details available here:

Annual Academic Convocation 2024 St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry cordially invites you to join us either in-person or virtually for our Annual Academic Convocation to officially welcome the start of our 2024 - 2025 academic year!

“In dangers, in distress, in perplexities, think on Mary, call on Mary. Let her not depart from your lips, let her not depart from your heart, and, that you may win the suffrage of her prayers, never depart from the example of her life.

Following her, you will never go astray; when you implore her aid, you will never yield to despair; thinking on her, you will not err; under her patronage you will never wander; beneath her protection you will not fear; she being your guide, you will not weary; if she be your propitious Star, you will arrive safely in the port [ipsa propitia pervenis], and experience for yourself the truth of the words, ‘And the virgin’s name was Mary.’”

– St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Doctor of the Church, Last of the Fathers, Confessor, Abbot and patron of our School, pray for us!

Artwork: "Bernard of Clairvaux" by François Vincent Latil, 17th century

“Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next."

– St. Stephen of Hungary, patron saint of Hungary, pray for us!

Artwork: "Stephen Intercepts Gyula," by Mark of Kalt, ca. 1360

Tomorrow, August 16th, is the final application deadline for graduate degree and certificate seeking applicants for this fall 2024!

Follow this link for more information about the admissions and application process: stbernards.edu/admissions

“It was fitting that she, who had kept her virginity in childbirth, should keep her own body free from all corruption even after death... It was fitting that God’s Mother should possess what belongs to her Son, and that she should be honored by every creature as the Mother and the Handmaid of God.”

– St. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church

Artwork: "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" by Peter Paul Rubens, 1618

Included in our fall courses’ lineup and Discounted Fall Audit is “Twentieth-Century Holiness” with Professor Lisa Lickona, S.T.L. – available for auditing for $35!

This course seeks to understand the twentieth century through the lives and writings of saints such as Miguel Pro, Dorothy Day, Franz Jaegerstaetter, Edith Stein, Maximilian Kolbe, Takashi Nagai, John Paul II, and Henri de Lubac. Along the way, we will deepen our understanding of how God works in time and the circumstances of life — no matter how awful — to draw us to Himself.

Application deadline is September 6th. Learn more about this course here! stbernards.edu/discounted-fall-audi

“The Cross is the school of love.”

– St. Maximillian Kolbe, martyr, pray for us!

Student Spotlight | Certificate in Evangelization alum, Chris Espinoza, of Men's Divorce Recovery, was featured on the Journey Beyond Divorce with Karen McMahon sharing his own divorce story. An incredible discussion on a difficult topic.

Our students and alumni continually blow us away with their faithfulness and witness to the Gospel in their lives. You can listen to this discussion here! www.jbddivorcesupport.com/blog/3littlehearts

Divorce, Faith, and Three Little Hearts Join me as I speak to a Christian man about his journey through a high conflict marriage where he owns his part in the dissolution and shares the challenges of parallel parenting post divorce.

This past June and July, St. Bernard’s students were invited to participate in our annual Abbey Retreat Course, this year centering on the themes of contemplative prayer and spiritual formation.

During both sessions, students were immersed for 5 days in the daily rhythms of monastic life at the Abbey of the Genesee, while simultaneously engaged in class discussion and learning, led by Professor Lisa Lickona, S.T.L., and Rev. Isaac Slater, OCSO.

We thank the Abbey of the Genesee for their hospitality and collaboration on this incredible experience for our students!

First photo: Contemplative Prayer session students; second photo: Spiritual Formation session students

Included in our fall courses’ lineup and Discounted Fall Audit is “Political Engagement as a Catholic: Principles, Sources, and Historical Engagements” with Drs. Matthew Kuhner and Taylor Patrick O’Neill – available for auditing for $35!

This course attempts to unfold the Church’s vision of political authority, the nature and demands of the political community, and the responsibility of the Catholic vis-à-vis political action.

Application deadline is September 6th. Learn more about this course here! stbernards.edu/discounted-fall-audit

Discounted Fall Audit - St. Bernard's In an effort to be a continual source of ongoing formation of both mind and heart, St. Bernard’s is offering the opportunity of auditing one of two pre-selected courses for only $35.

“Blessed be You, my God, for having created me.”

– St. Clare of Assisi, abbess and founder of the Poor Clares, pray for us!

“I thank You, O Lord; that I am permitted to enter Your portals.”

– St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, pray for us!

Artwork: "Lawrence before Valerian" by Fra Angelico, 1450

Student Spotlight | Current Master of Arts in Theological Studies student, Collins, recently wrote this beautiful reflection on the life of St. Peter Chrysologus, one of the thirty-seven Doctors of the Church:

“Sermon 163 is St. Peter Chrysologus’ reflection on Jesus’ teaching on anxiety beginning with Luke 12:22… God is our King, our Master, and our Father, as such He is just, He is always concerned for us, and, beyond concern, He takes our anxieties upon Himself.”

You can read his reflection here!

St. Peter Chrysologus and His Sermon on Anxiety St. Peter Chrysologus is one of the 37 declared Doctors of the Church. In this context, a doctor simply means teacher of our faith and to be declared a Doctor of the Church is one of the highest honors a member of the faithful can receive. It expresses that the Church understands their learning and....

"Anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it."

– St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross, martyr and patroness of Europe, pray for us!

“I am not capable of doing big things,
but I want to do everything,
even the smallest things,
for the greater glory of God.”

– St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, pray for us!

Artwork: "Santo Domingo de Guzmán" by Claudio Coello, 17th century

Student Spotlight | Current bioethics student, Breckenridge, was recently featured on Ancient Faith Today with Fr. Tom Soroka discussing issues such as abortion, surrogacy, IVF, and other reproductive technologies.

What a gift it is to see our students bearing witness in the world in their areas of expertise! You can view the discussion here:

Ancient Faith Today Live - The Traumatic Impact of Reproductive Technologies (w/ Katie Breckenridge) Fr. Thomas is joined by author and advocate Katie Breckenridge to talk about the tragic downstream impact on families and children due to easy access to abor...

We're thrilled to officially begin this year's Discounted Fall Audit: an annual invitation to audit a pre-selected course for only $35! This year, you'll have the opportunity to audit either one of two pre-selected courses:

"Political Engagement as a Catholic: Principles, Sources, and Historical Engagements" OR "Twentieth-Century Holiness."

Application deadline is September 6th. More information is available here! stbernards.edu/discounted-fall-audit

Discounted Fall Audit - St. Bernard's In an effort to be a continual source of ongoing formation of both mind and heart, St. Bernard’s is offering the opportunity of auditing one pre-selected course for only $35. This fall, join us in auditing "Faith, Fiction, and Film: The Drama of Belief."

"This is My beloved Son, with Whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him." (Mk 9: 7)

Artwork: "Transfiguration of Christ" by Giovanni Bellini, 1480

“This date marks the dedication of Rome’s first Marian basilica around the year 435… It is said that Mary signaled her choice of the church’s site with an August snowfall… After the basilica’s construction, a miraculous shower of white rose petals fell upon the gathered faithful.” – Magnificat Magazine

Our Lady, Mary of the Snows, pray for us!

Artwork: "The Piazza and Church of Santa Maria Maggiore" by Giovanni Paolo Pannini, 1744

"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us."

– St. John Vianney, Curé de Ars and patron of parish priests, pray for us!

“He who goes about to reform the world must begin with himself, or he loses his labor.”

– St. Ignatius of Loyola

Artwork: "Miracle of St. Ignatius of Loyola" by Peter Paul Rubens, 1617

ON THE BLOG | Professor Apolonio Latar shares unique insights into Mary's ecclesial motherhood, noting that:

"Mary had to learn what it means to be a mother from her own Son. Not only does she let Christ suffer and die a shameful death, but she receives a further distance, and her attitude is that of obedience: 'Behold, your son.' Her task was to accept the mission her Son gave her and in being led by her newborn son, the beloved disciple, she became completely one with the will of her Son. She let herself be taken into the home of her newborn son because she wanted what the Son wanted: the creation of the Church, the salvation of man. And Mary became the Icon, the Mother of the Church."

Read it here!

Mary's Motherhood Through the Lens of Christ's Miracles - St. Bernard's Professor Apolonio Latar shares unique insights into Mary's ecclesial motherhood, noting that "Mary had to learn what it means to be a mother from her own Son. Not only does she let Christ suffer and die a shameful death, but she receives a further distance, and her attitude is that of obedience: 'B...

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." (John 11:25)

Artwork: "The Resurrection of Lazarus" by Giovanni di Paolo

"I entrust to the protection of St. Anne and St. Joachim [the grandparents of Jesus] all the grandparents of the world and bestow on them a special blessing. May the Virgin Mary, who according to a beautiful iconography learned to read the Sacred Scriptures at her mother Anne’s knee, help them always to nourish their faith and hope at the sources of the Word of God.”

– Pope Benedict XVI

Artwork: "The Meeting of Anna and Joachim at the Golden Gate" by Master of the Golden Gate, 14th century

"From James we can, then, learn many things: readiness to welcome the Lord's call even when He asks us to leave the 'ship' of our human certainties; enthusiasm to follow Him along the roads He indicates, over and beyond our illusory presumption; and willingness to bear witness to Him with courage, even, if necessary, unto the supreme sacrifice of life."

– Pope Benedict XVI

Artwork: "Saint James the Great" by Guido Reni, 1638

“O God, who are glorified in your saints, and who inspired the monk and hermit Charbel to follow Jesus heroically in poverty, chastity, and obedience; we beg you for your graces to love and serve you as he did. O Lord, you have shown the power of his intercession by many miracles and favors, graciously grant us the favor that we ask, if it be your will. Amen.”

– St. Charbel Makhlouf Novena Prayer