Pope Benedict XII, during his papacy, recognized the need for reform within various religious orders, particularly the Cistercian Order, which had experienced diversions from its foundational principles. In the early 14th century, the Cistercian community, known for its strict adherence to monastic life and simplicity, faced challenges that undermined its founding regulations established by St. Bernard of Clairvaux. The issuing of the papal bull 'Fulgens sicut stella matutina' on July 12 aimed to counteract these deviations by emphasizing a return to the core values of the Cistercian Rule, advocating for stricter observance of monastic discipline and spiritual practices.The bull is noteworthy for its specific guidance and encouragement toward a lifestyle embodying humility, prayer, and labor, along with the expectation of cloistering practices to strengthen the monks' commitment to their environment and religious duties. By invoking papal authority, the bull sought to invigorate the Cistercian identity, ensuring that monks adhered to the principles that had originally inspired their order. The reform was not merely administrative; it sought to rejuvenate the spiritual fervor prevalent in early Cistercian communities, aiming to align the modern Cistercians back to their foundational ethos, which notably included a commitment to poverty and collective life centered around prayer and work.Pope Benedict XII's initiatives in issuing such directives reflect a broader movement within the Catholic Church during this period seeking reform and renewal amidst various challenges. His papacy engaged in continual efforts to address issues of laxity and corruption within the church, indicating the intrinsic relationship between papal authority and the health of religious communities. This movement represented an ongoing tension between tradition and adaptation within monastic orders, defining the trajectory of the Church’s approach to ecclesiastical governance during the late Middle Ages.