France

O SACRED HEAD, NOW WOUNDED

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O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;
How pale Thou art with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How does that visage languish, which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ‘Tis I deserve Thy place;
Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.

Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.
Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;
Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.

The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.

About the writer: Bernard of Clairvaux, an eminent monk, theologian, scholar, preacher, and poet, was born in Burgundy, France in 1091. Aletta, his mother, was a pious woman and consecrated her son to God from his birth. Being naturally fond of seclusion, meditation, and study he sought a home in the cloister. At 22 he entered the small monastery of Citeaux and later founded and made famous that of Clairvaux. Kings and popes sought his advice since his enthusiasm and impassioned eloquence were all but irresistible. He died in 1153. Luther greatly admired him and thought him “the greatest monk that ever lived.” His published works are in five folio volumes.

Key Verse: They made a crown of long, sharp thorns and put it on his head, and they placed a stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery, yelling, “Hail! King of the Jews!” –Matthew 27:29

Ambrose

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Ambrose (c. 340-397) was the Bishop of Milan. He was born in Gaul or modern-day France. His father died when he was young and his family moved to Rome. Ambrose studied the law and was eventually appointed a civil governor. While still a new Christian the people of Milan elected him bishop when the previous bishop died. He began studying the Bible and theology in earnest and soon became a renowned preacher. His preaching was instrumental in the conversion of Augustine. He accepted the challenge of becoming a bishop, despite his lack of training, and dedicated his life to serving Christ and His Kingdom to the best of his ability.

Bernard of Clairvaux

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Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153), an eminent monk, theologian, scholar, preacher, and poet, was born in Burgundy, France. Aletta, his mother, was a pious woman and consecrated her son to God from his birth. Being naturally fond of seclusion, meditation, and study he sought a home in the cloister. At 22 he entered the small monastery of Citeaux and later founded and made famous that of Clairvaux. Kings and popes sought his advice since his enthusiasm and impassioned eloquence were all but irresistible. Luther greatly admired him and thought him “the greatest monk that ever lived.” His published works are in five folio volumes. His wisdom and pious devotion influenced the church for centuries.