From the Sermons of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clarivaux

Brethren, let us wish well as meet is, let us wish well unto our bishops, for it is a kindly act to bewail the dead and it is kindlier still to rejoice with the living, yea, and living a blessed life?  "In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are at peace." (Wisdom 3:2)  Now are they become fellow citizens of the Saints and of the household of God.  (Ephesians 2:19) and they give praise and thanks together and say, "We went through fire and through water, and Thou broughtest us out into a place of refreshment."  (Psalm 65:12)  Manfully and happily did they pass through fire and through water, for no hardships could break them and no pleasures could snare them.

Let us rejoice that our Pontiffs are gone up unto their fellow citizens to discharge as it were the duty of embassage for he children of captivity.  To win for us the hearts of the blessed, and to tell them what are the wants of the suffering.  Let us rejoice, I say, and be glad that in that heavenly court there are some of our own who have a care for us, and for whose sakes a guard is set around us whom they shaped by their examples and confirmed by their wondrous works.  These are holy bishops who in lowliness of spirit have oftentimes offered up peace offerings to heaven, and have in themselves gone unto the Altar of God, themselves sacrifices as well as priests.

Blessed be the Lord God Who hath visited His people by the ministry of such people , and Who, now that He hath called them unto His own holy city, yet ceaseth not to cheer our captivity by the remembrance of their sweetness, and let their spirits also rejoice in the Lord Who hath delivered them from the burden of the body, so that they are weighed down no more by filth or foulness, but pass gladly and brightly beyond all creatures, whether bodily or bodyless, and go on wholly unto God, and are joined unto His, so that they are one spirit with Him forever.  Holiness becometh that house wherein the memory of such holiness is oftentimes made.