The Basics: Born about 1092 in France; died about 1136 in France; beatified 1703 by Clement XI; feast day, February 12. Woman religious.
The Story: Imagine you are wealthy, in part due to marriage, but in part because you are the sole member of your immediate family still in the secular world. Imagine your mother has died, and your father and all six of your brothers, including your beloved brother Bernard, have joined monasteries. So of course if you embark on a visit to them, aren’t you going to dress in your finest clothes and bring your entourage so they can all see how well you’re doing?
That is the situation Humbeline was in. But when she went to the monastery at Clairvaux, it all fell apart. One brother called her an
Humbeline and Bernard are depicted in the bottom center panel.
unprintable name. Bernard initially refused to see her, disgusted by what he had heard about her worldly trappings. Eventually, he relented, and told Humbeline to live in a modest fashion as their mother did. Shamed, Humbeline listened to her brother and simplified her lifestyle greatly. But she didn’t feel that was enough. After two years, she and her husband agreed the best course would be for her to join a Benedictine convent herself. There, Humbeline was welcomed by the abbess, a sister-in-law who like her husband and Humbeline’s brother had decided to pursue religious life. Humbeline became the convent’s abbess in 1130. When she died several years later, three of her brothers were at her deathbed.
What We Can Learn from Humbeline: Our finery doesn’t impress people as what’s in our hearts and souls. Think about that the next time you are tempted to dress to impress.
Humbeline’s Wisdom: “I know I am a sinner; but did not Jesus Christ die for such persons as I am?” (her comment to Bernard when he criticized her finery)
To Learn More About Humbeline: There’s a lovely poem in Orpah’s Return and other poems by Walter Alfred Hills about Humbeline’s encounter with Bernard at Clairvaux.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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