The Family That Overtook Christ Study Edition: Lessons in Sanctity from the Family of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

The Saga of Citeaux #2

by M. Raymond, Janet P. McKenzie (Contributor)

In addition to its value as Cistercian history and as an adult study on the virtuous life, this book is also an excellent read for young adults who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. "By the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are . . . more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed" (CCC, no. 1285). In this exciting chronicle of the life of twelfth-century knights, we can learn much about defending and spreading the faith in true soldier-like fashion. Here, we have an entire family of nine saints who lay before us their individual means of achieving intimate union with Christ. Learn with the Fontaines family how to supernaturalize the natural, develop a God-consciousness, and attain sanctity by being yourself. Perfect for high-school read-aloud, this new study edition has over 250 footnotes for increased comprehension and provides discussion/meditation points to promote the art of spiritual conversation. The appendix lists formulas of Catholic doctrine that are essential for confirmands not only to know but also to incorporate into their own spiritual lives. This engaging book provides many excellent lessons in sanctity for anyone interested in living the "authentic Christian life."

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Biography, Theology, Faith

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Fr. Mary Raymond Flanagan, O.C.S.O.

Born Joseph David Flanagan in 1903, he grew up in Massachusetts. He joined the Jesuits in 1920, teaching at Holy Cross College from 1927 to 1930 and later serving as retreat master. In 1936, he joined the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the cloister of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky where he received the name he is most know by today, Fr. Mary Raymond. He wrote twenty-two books as a Trappist, many dealing with the subject of how the laity could achieve sanctity.

Reviews

[Andres Mosquera Salazar]

La familia que alcanzó a Cristo

Ésta es la historia de la familia de San Bernardo de Clairvaux, el hombre más influyente de su tiempo a mi parecer. El libro cuenta cómo cada uno de los miembros de la familia alcanzó la Santidad, y cómo cada uno de ellos influyó en el otro para lograr ese tan preciado anhelo de encuentro cara a cara con Dios: la vida eterna.

Lo que más me gusta de este libro es que exhorta a todos a ser santos, rompe el paradigma de que sólo los consagrados pueden serlo. El ejemplo del Venerable Tescelin y la Beata Alice de Montbar, padres de Bernardo, es perfecto. Ellos se santificaron viviendo el día a día, siendo lo que Dios quería que ellos sean: formadores de nuevos santos (sus hijos).

El libro narra de manera muy sintetizada la vida de cada uno de estos personajes, tan distintos pero parecidos a la vez -en su santidad-. Los personajes son:

LOS PADRES:
Venerable Tescelin
Beata Alice

LOS HERMANOS MAYORES:
Beato Guy
Beato Gerardo

SAN BERNARDO



LOS HERMANOS PEQUEÑOS:
Beata Humbelina
Beato Andrés
Beato Bartolomé
Beato Nivardo

Como podemos ver, Tescelin, Alice y sus siete hijos alcanzaron a Cristo. ¡Qué familia! Este libro nos exhorta a ser santos desde cualquiera que sea nuestra vocación, a ser desprendidos (ésta fue la clave para que los hijos logren ser monjes) y, sobretodo, a enamorarnos de Cristo.

[Renee]

I really loved this book. From the way it was written to the inspiring conversations that went on between these saints. This is one of those books I have wanted to read for a long time, but kept putting it off. I am so happy I have it, was able to read it and get so much from it. Saint Bernard, Blessed Humbeline and Blessed Alice, the whole family. Wonderful inspirations! Some of the pages in this book light fires in the soul.

[Amy Gieser]

Similar to the first on writing style. This book follows St Bernard and each of his family members separately in their own chapters but yet still combined- done really well I thought in the layout. Because each chapter begins a new character it is easy to put it down for awhile in between. Because this is a religious theme you can’t expect to have the romance, suspense or intrigue of a regular fictional book and be reading at a furious pace to find out what happens. But there is interest in reading about real life people and how they lived out this reform so extraordinarily. The fact that it is put into story form makes it much more enjoyable than just biographies. Some characters are harder to understand or some are more likeable. Overall I truly enjoyed the book and looking forward to the next.

[Christina Burt]

I still don’t know how I feel about St. Bernard. He’s so intense and probably rubs be the wrong way because he’s right about a lot of things. I don’t think we’ll be BFFs but I would like to explore more of his writings. His family is remarkable and radical and it is clear that the Church needed a family like theirs at that time. I love his mother the most.

[Joan23GU]

A veces, por la manía de novelar las biografías, trabajos históricos (y, en este caso, hagiográficos) bastante buenos acaban convertidos en obras literarias más bien pobres. Los diálogos son muy poco naturales, y cuesta seguir la cronología, debido en parte a la narración no lineal, así como a la escazes de fechas y edades.

Eso sí, gran familia los de Fontaines, y necesitamos un san Bernardo para nuestros tiempos.

[Fr. Daniel Carr]

The initial chapter of this book lays out a story in which a nun criticizes many of the books about saints for making them to be more than human. The author then explains that he hopes to avoid this common mistake. I personally believe that he did an excellent job and that this book shares both the human traits as well as the graces from God in the lives of Bernard of Clairvaux and his parents, brothers, and sister.

I enjoyed the storytelling method of portraying the characters in this family. The short stories often involved members of the family interacting naturally with each other at critical moments in their life, but it also included conversations of others about the families. They not only explained the events that happened to and around these holy men and women, but also captured their saintly traits in doing so. Each section about the different saints talked about the entire family so that you learn about each person throughout the book. You cannot simply the one chapter about one of the members of the family and learn everything the author wants to convey.

Additionally, many of the stories include moral lessons akin to a homily. I wonder if these are messages conveyed originally by these holy people or if the author is attempting to convey the attraction and purpose of contemplative life. Either way, it was inspiring and made me contemplate my life and how much I am willing to sacrifice for Christ.

As a whole, I think that this style works well when trying to convey the essence of sainthood in people without ignoring the importance of historical events and relationships. I do wonder how much of the encounters are based on fact and how much is dramatized or exaggerated, but I come away knowing much about Clairvaux and this wonderful family.

[Nes]

This is the story of the family of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux [France:] where all the members - both parents as well as all seven siblings - became saints. The book is written in a style that's both friendly and intense, conveying the feeling that while aspiring and working to become a saint is no easy ride, God does not make it difficult, nor does he place a lot of obstacles.

You can feel that it is an interplay [or interactive, as we say it in the modern language:] between you and God, wherein the more He sees evidence of your intense desire to please Him and do His will, the more He keeps re-arranging series of events in your life in order for you to make it to the finish line.

Also, since English is not my native language, but have been exposed to it since I was young and have been a perennial student of it, I also take note of the literary writing style, at times poetic, yet always keen about historical accuracy. I plan to adopt some of the phrases and expressions that I find in it.

[Lilibeth]

Read for the first time over 10 years ago. Set me on fire for my faith. It's not perfect by any means but is much healthier and better done than most, if not all, Saint books. If you struggle with faith-based scrupulosity (sort of like faith OCD) then you may find this remarkably helpful, or at least not harmful like other Saint books can be.

Saints were human beings like all of us. They argued and fought, but they also performed miracles. Some Saints receive a title, most of us don't. And that's okay. Because there's sanctity and imperfection on both sides of the coin.

To paraphrase Padre Pio, "Everyone has the wounds of the Stigmata. Mine, for some strange reason are visible. You've got them, too. I can see them."

[Joza]

This was a great book. Not just Bernard, but the whole family is very holy. It's amazing how Bernard could convince all those noble's and nights to come and join a small order in the middle of nowhere. I don't even know where to start. I just loved this book and think everyone should read it.

[Gabriela Mejia]

FILLED with so much insight and learnings… i feel like i need to reread it already just to be able to digest it all better HAHAHAHAH

it took me a while to get used to the setting of a book that takes place in 12th century europe, but once i got the hang of it, i was so invested!

even if they’re all part of one family, each member has such a distinct story. every chapter gave me a unique takeaway! my personal chapters were gerard’s, humbeline’s, and the younger brothers. big emphasis on gerard, i really want to reread his chapter already HAHAHAHA

loved the book! it takes a lot of time to get through, but it’s definitely worth it :)

[Laura Barrera]

Este libro es... Una cosa impresionante. Definitivamente la introducción del libro le hace justicia. A pesar de describir la santidad de una familia, está repleto de verdadera humanidad. No queda otra conclusión que ser plenamente santo es ser plenamente humano.
Con cada uno de los miembros de la familia de fontaines iba viendo cómo me hablaba Dios respecto a situaciones de mi vida. Fue bellísimo.
Lo volveré a leer pronto porque con cada palabra se encendía mi corazón.

[Juanca]

La santidad se alcanza por enamoramiento. Un enamorado, enamora. Una familia en Dios, se santifica. El profundo anhelo de Dios no es solamente para unos, es para todos, pues todos hemos sido llamados a ser amantes del amor.

[Randy Shed Jr.]

Wow! A must read

This book is absolutely phenomenal. For any family or anyone discerning religious life, this book will change your life. May we all strive to overtake Christ

[Juan Pascual de la Llana]

Inspiradores relatos sobre las vidas de San Bernardo de Claraval y todos sus familiares que elevan el alma y animan a pensar que la santidad es posible si nos entregamos sin reservas a Dios.

[Rocio Dariana]

Sin duda un libro que me hizo enamorarme de cada personaje, y aprender más sobre el porqué fuimos creados y como podemos amar a Dios, lo volvería a leer sin dudar.

[Victor Gonzalez]

Una lectura enriquecedora y sobre todo que contextualiza muy bien cada miembro de esta familia que alcanzó a Dios en esta vida y esperamos sea unos grandes Santos en la presencia de Dios

[Mary Cassidy]

inspirational
learned so much
borrowed from St Katherine's

[Susana Monedero]

Es un libro denso de leer pero al mismo tiempo emocionante. En ocasiones pienso que aquella época tenía algo difícil de recuperar.

[Trini Urrutigoity]

me ayudó muchísimo con mi crecimiento espiritual y personal, fue un libro que definitivamente me marcó

[Ashley]

One time through isn't enough to take in all this book has to offer. So much great stuff to ponder. I'll be starting it over again soon.

[Laura Castro]

Una gran novela histórica, que te traslada profundamente a una época dónde la santidad era habitual.

[Les Walters]

I read (on Kindle) a great book by the late Cistercian, Fr M Raymond OCSO, "The Family that Overtook Christ". It's the story of St Bernard of Clairvaux and his amazing family. Very inspiring! Fr Raymond really knows how to dramatise a story and hold your interest, all the while teaching and motivating. I think I'll read it again before long...so many great teachings and sayings of Bernard. A couple of notes: "You ask me with what measure God is to be loved, and I answer: Without measure...sine modo...what a great motto! And again, "meditation and prayer are the 2 feet we all need...meditation teaches us what is lacking...prayer obtains for us the supply (of it)"

[Amber Vanderpol]

Fantastic book, I forced myself to read it in small chunks so I could enjoy it more and get more out of it. I love how the author used a variety of writing techniques to tell the story too - dialogue between family members, between observers, third person narrative... all used very effectively. I also enjoyed how the author told the story of the whole family, person by person, but without becoming repetitive. An amazing story about an amazing family, and written so well - what a great combination!

[Stephen]

Wow...inspirational and informative. The narrative was exquisite and appropriate for todays church. Highly recommended for those who stuggle today with the church's modernistic stance on many issues.

[Philip Fernandez]

A story that does engage and inspire. I particularly been inspired by Part 4 "Younger Members" The Man who kept the gate - Blessed Andrew. When All the Glamour is Gone - a touching but inspiring of letting oneself be emptied, become nothingness for God's Kingdom.

[Anne Dunn]

An amazing read. Fun, honest, and inspiring. It really challenges one to consider how much they are willing to give to God. I am looking forward to rereading because there is so much wisdom in the stories.

[Mark Holencik]

This is the sequel to "The Three Religious Rebels".

[M Laabs]

Excellent !