Today, August 20, marks the name day of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a day dedicated to honoring those who have left a notable mark on religious history. This recognition dates back to the tradition of naming children based on the saint of the day of their birth.
The name day refers to the day on which a saint is commemorated, and while it is often confused with a birthday, it specifically relates to the names from the saints’ calendar. On this day, we remember men and women who distinguished themselves through their works towards others and their connection to the divine, which led to their canonization or beatification.
Today’s celebration centers on Saint Bernard, abbot and doctor of the Church, who founded the monastery of Clairvaux and led the monks along the path of the Gospel. Saint Bernard traveled across Europe promoting peace and contributed to the Church through his writings until his death near Langres, France.
In addition to Saint Bernard, other saints and martyrs are celebrated, such as Saint Philibert of Noirmoutier, Saint Christopher of Córdoba, Blessed Bernardo Tolomeo, and various blesseds from the 18th and 20th centuries.
In the context of Catholicism, canonization is used to declare a deceased person as a saint, recognizing their life of sacrifice or connection with divine events. This process involves thorough investigations to confirm the person’s life and virtues. There are four pathways to canonization: heroic virtues, martyrdom, exceptional causes, and the offering of life, with the requirement of having performed miracles.
Catholicism is one of the most practiced religions in the world, with over 1.360 billion Catholics, according to the Vatican’s Statistical Yearbook. The majority of Catholics are found in America, with notable recent growth in Asia and Africa, while the numbers in Europe have declined.
Source: www.infobae.com
