Bernard, the founding abbot of Clairvaux Abbey in Burgundy, was a notable Church leader in the first half of the twelfth century and one of the greatest spiritual masters of all times. He was instrumental in propagating the Cistercian reform. He died at Clairvaux on 20 August 1153 and was canonized by Pope Alexander III on 18 January 1174. Pope Pius VII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1830.