Blessed William of St. Thierry, pray for us

     Blessed William of St. Thierry is probably someone who most people have never ever heard of. So I will give you a little background on him. 

     Blessed William was a medieval French Monk Abbott and Cistercian, who lived from around 1085 to 1148. He was quite knowledgeable in writing and is best known for his "Theological" works. He had a great focus on "mystical theology". He wrote extensive papers on faith, prayer and contemplation. All done so with Theology in mind. He wrote many exquisite "meditative prayers". He drew on the understanding of the "Trinity" and the Spiritual journey of the Soul. He had a deep Spiritual relationship with Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, as he urged Bernard to defend "Cysterian" order. Cystyrian being a stricter branch of the Benedictines. Following more so the rule of Saint Benedict. They are also known as Bernadines, after St Bernard. Blessed William of St. Thierry died at Sygny Abbey in France, around September 8th, 1148. He was 63 years old. He wrote such compositions as "On the solitary life", "On the contemplation of God", modeled on the confessions of Saint Augustine. Many of his writings are good reads on how to maintain a good meditative Christian Life. One such prayer he composed, goes as such: 

    "We hold, as a gift more precious than gold, oh God, your love. From the beginning of Creation your Son, the Eternal Word, has been tossing about on the stormy waters of human souls, striving to bring Peace through the gift of Love. Now he has breathed over the water of our souls, and the waves are calm. Merciful Father , we thank you".

     Oh blessed William of St. Thierry, teach us how to pray from our souls in meditation. Intercede for us always on our journey to Heaven.