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  Introduction St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) needs little introduction.  Famous for his zeal for the Cistercian reform and his mystical writings, particularly those on Mary, as well as his long series of homilies on the Song of Songs, and perhaps a little more infamous for his fervent preaching of the Crusades, he has often been given the title "Last of the Fathers."  He is also known by the more extravagant title of Doctor Mellifluus , "Honey-Flowing Doctor."  The sermon translated below is the last in a series of Lenten sermons. Lenten Sermons VII On the Pilgrim, Dead and Crucified   Happy are those who show themselves as worthless strangers and pilgrims to the present world , keeping themselves unspotted by it! For we do not have an enduring city here, but we look to a future one (Heb 13:14). Therefore, let us abstain from carnal desires, which fight against the soul, as strangers and pilgrims. A pilgrim, indeed...

  Introduction Antonio de Guevara (1481-1545) was born in Treceño, Cantabria, to a noble family.  Thanks to the influence of his uncle, he was educated in the royal court of Castille, where--so he claimed--he served as page to Queen Isabella I (r. 1474-1504), la Reina Católica .  Following her death, he entered the Franciscan Order, in 1505.  After some official roles in the order, he returned to court, becoming court preacher to the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V (1500-1558), also known as Charles I of Spain, in 1521.  He served the emperor in many capacities, including becoming his chronicler beginning in 1527.  In 1528, he was named Bishop of Guadix, and then Bishop of Mondoñedo in 1537.  He died in his diocese in 1545 and was buried in the cathedral of Mondoñedo. De Guevara was a prolific writer, especially during his time in court.  Many of his books were about the courtly life, with his famous being the Dial of Princes (Reloj de príncipes) (...