At Saint Denys, in the presence of Abbot Suger and His Holiness Eugenius, King Louis prostrated himself to adore the saint, after which the pontiff unfastened a gold door and with Abbot Suger lifted out a silver reliquary that King Louis kissed, which his soul loved. Then from above the altar Louis took the imperial oriflamme in lieu of a common pilgrim staff and received from His Holiness the purse, symbol of pilgrimage. Next he withdrew to the monks’ dormitory to prepare himself. He dined in the refectory with these monks, obtaining from them the kiss of peace. Then he departed amid tears and prayers.
Abbot Bernard, frail of body yet robust in spirit, flew hither and yon to make himself heard and God’s army multiplied. Women roused by the silken eloquence of his tongue vowed to accompany husbands or lovers. Many forsook the hearth to undertake this blessed journey. Stories were told of Frankish women who girded their soft bodies with chain mail and wore plumed helmets, whose captain had golden spurs. Some said Queen Eleanor would lead a company of Amazons. In Belgium and Germany, engulfed by thousands, he preached with surpassing loftiness, albeit few understood the Frankish tongue. Devils fled howling when he began to speak. Malignant ulcers shrank. Numerous miracles occurred. Philip, archdeacon at Liège, kept count of wonders, which exceeded three hundred.
But as he could not visit every Christian country he addressed the faithful by letter. To the people of England he wrote.
May the warrant of Christ excuse my presumption. I am myself a person of small account, yet my desire for our Lord is very great, which is my reason and motive for writing. The earth shudders. The earth is affrighted because that land in which our Lord manifested Himself, where He lived among men for more than thirty years, which He made glorious through miracles, which He blessed with His blood, is menaced and threatened and compromised. The enemy of God like a serpent lifts his head to strike, to devastate that blessed land. Alas! Should there be none to withstand this evil, then will he overturn the arsenal of our redemption. Then will he desecrate holy places. He casts greedy eyes upon the sanctuary. He longs to violate that couch upon which Our Gracious Lord fell asleep in death. Therefore, you mighty men of England, rise up! O mighty soldiers of England, O men of war, rise up! Now comes the day of abundant salvation, now is the acceptable hour. In this cause may you fight without peril to your souls. Beneath the banner of His name is it glorious to conquer, when death is not loss but gain. And the Evil One beholding the glitter of your swords will gnash his teeth and shrivel.
To Bavarians and eastern Franks he wrote. O, what are you doing? Servants of the Cross, why do you hesitate? Do you not know how many sinners have obtained forgiveness in Jerusalem because the swords of your fathers have cleansed the temple? O my brothers, what darkens and clouds your minds? Do you think the hand of Our Lord has shortened? Do you think He is powerless to save? Could He not send twelve legions of angels? For you know He has the power. But I say that He wishes you to gain merit by setting aside earthly consideration. He looks down on you. He waits. He wishes to know if any among you understand His plight and seek Him and grieve. O sinners, gaze into the depths of His love! For what is this but a chance to obtain the salvation that God alone can provide? He wishes to be the debtor who bountifully reimburses those who labor in His cause. He will reimburse you with everlasting glory. He will remit your terrible sins. For this opportunity are you called a blessed generation. You live in a year agreeable to the Lord, rich in remission. If you are a prudent merchant fond of goods, behold! I show you a wondrous market. If the cross of cloth is sold, does it fetch much? But its value exceeds a kingdom if worn on the shoulder of one who serves God. Those who have taken the heavenly emblem have felt the power of His touch. O my brothers! Seize what is provided for your salvation!
He wrote to citizens of Bohemia. I speak to you about the business of Our Lord, wherein lies redemption. I am, like you, an ordinary man, yet I am not ordinary in my desire for Jesus Christ. To you, therefore, do I deliver my heart in spite of the distance between us. I would speak to you of divine mercy, of a new abundance. Blessed are they that walk the earth in this year of remission, of veritable jubilee, for the Lord has not bestowed such munificence upon previous generations. He has not lavished upon our fathers such copious grace. Listen! O listen, my brothers! Wickedness occupies the land of promise. Evil men feast their eyes upon the sanctuary of our belief. They would stain the very bed of Jesus. They would corrupt a dwelling purpled with the blood of the immaculate lamb. Why, therefore, do you hesitate? Be quick to accept the gift that is promised. Seize the opportunity of apostolic indulgence. Listen! Listen! Next Easter will the army of God set forth and I say to you that it will pass through Hungary. You have with you the lord bishop of Moravia, a learned and holy man who will impart to you the wisdom provided by God, who will encourage and direct you in these matters. No pilgrim shall wear silken garments, nor miniver, nor multicolored clothing. None shall fasten gold or silver ornaments to the trappings of his horse, only to his shield and to the wood of his saddle. But when the army marches into battle any man is free to wear silver or gold so the sun may shine upon him and
