Fr. Bernard entered Gethsemani on St. Valentine's day, the 14th of February, in 1944. He was simply professed on the 14th of April, 1946, and solemnly professed on the 24th of April, 1949.

He was ordained a priest on the 23rd of September 1950. He died on the very anniversary of his 61st year in the priesthood.

In December, 1983, he was sent as chaplain to the newly founded house of Quilvo, a Trappistine monastery in Chile. He served there faithfully for 26 years, until his final illness, 21 months ago. He spent most of the final months of his life in the infirmary at the abbey of Miraflores, near Quilvo, in Chile. He is now buried at Miraflores.

Fr. Bernard was a very learned man, who wore his learning lightly. He had a gift for languages and a love for the history of the Cistercian order. He taught this history to generations of novices at Gethsemani and no doubt inspired many to explore it further. He would return to Gethsemani periodically for visits and many noticed how peaceful and jovial he seemed. His life in south America seemed to suit him well. Although his final decades were spent in Chile, he maintained his stability at Gethsemani. He will be missed by the monks and nuns of three houses.