There is an interesting biographical sketch of Bernard of Clairvaux (c.1090-1153) on the website of Christian History and Biography. St. Bernard was a twelfth century monk who led the Cistercian reformation. Though a Romanist, he was one of those forerunners of the Reformation who, though they did not break with Rome, yet made the Reformation possible by laboring for reform within the church. Protestants know him as the author of several hymns, including “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee,” “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts,” and “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”