St. Bernard of Clairvaux was born in France in the year 1090. When he was in his early twenties, he felt called by God to become a Cistercian monk and soon after joined the monastery of Citaux. As time passed, his wisdom and virtues grew, and he soon became known among both the rich and poor alike. In fact, Bernard would often go on preaching trips to the surrounding towns. And as his fame for teaching spread, his journeys even took him to neighboring European countries. He taught the people many helpful insights and inspiring details of the different truths of the Catholic Faith. Always trying to help people know God so that they could love Him, Bernard would explain his points in clear, concise words that were easily understood by his listeners.

Now while Bernard was very wise and could speak on any Church teaching, all the monks of his monastery agreed that their father Bernard’s favorite topic for preaching was Our Lady. “In dangers, in afflictions, in critical moments, remember Mary; call upon Mary!” He urged his hearers. “Never permit Her name to be far from your lips; may the thought of Her be always fixed in your hearts!”

As can be seen from such passionate words, Bernard himself had an intense love for this Heavenly Mother and Queen. So strong was his love for Her that every time he passed a certain statue of Her that was at the end of a corridor in his monastery, he would salute it with the words, “Hail, Mary.”

One day, as he again walked down the corridor and passed the statue, he bowed his head and gave his usual heartfelt greeting, “Hail, Mary!” Continuing past, he stopped suddenly when he heard a young woman's voice respond, “Hail, Bernard!” Looking back, he saw the voice had come from the statue of Mary.

Grateful beyond expression, Bernard repeated his greeting and thanked Mary for Her kindness. Then, with a happy and grateful heart, he continued on his way.

It is so easy, when doing something out of love for God or Jesus or Mary, to fear that They won't notice it. Sometimes we fear that They are too busy or that our little sacrifice is not important enough. But, as this story shows, any sincere act of love, no matter how small, is very precious to Them. Obviously Our Lady had not returned Bernard’s salutation that one time because it was the only time She had paused Her Heavenly work long enough to hear him say “Hail, Mary.” Mary had stored the precious memory of each and every time he had given Her a greeting of love. Then, for both his benefit and ours, Our Blessed Mother allowed Bernard to catch just a glimpse of how grateful She is for the simple, sincere expressions of the love of Her children.