"bern" = a bear, and "hard" = strong, hardly, brave - 'strong and brave as a bear' (someone translate from Bearn or Bairn, a child, and ard ‘nature, disposition’; of a child-like disposition; filial affection. )
+ Saint Bernard of Menthon 923-1008. He fled to Italy and joined the Benedictine order. Seeing the old pagan ways still prevailing among the people of the Alps, he resolved to devote himself to their conversion, effecting numerous conversions and working many miracles. Patronage: montaineers, skiers, the Alps + Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, 12th century monk and leader of the Cistercians d.1153
