To sing the praises of Mary, Bernard studies and contemplates her there where God has so perfectly revealed her, in the Scriptures, taking as his text the passage from Luke, An Angel was sent to a virgin named Mary. In the company of the Church Fathers and with the help of the liturgy, he uses Holy Writ to provide both the content of what he says and the form in which he says it. Theologically the sermons are thoroughly traditional; in the beauty of their expression they are unparalleled.

The Cistercian have always had a special devotion to Our Lady, dedicating each abbey to her and closing each day with the beautiful hymn-antiphon Salve Regina.