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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Herbipoli gemino Matronae lumine cassae,
Afflatis tenebras jussit abire genis.
On Easter Sunday, at Wurzburg, Norbert gave sight to a blind woman by breathing on her eyes.
(Antiphon of the Offlce.)
It was about the middle of January, in the year 1126, when Norbert, in the company of three of his brethren, set out from Ratisbon for the Eternal City. The object of his journey was to obtain the Pope's approval of his Order, for although it had received the papal approbation through the Legates at Noyon, there was still persistent opposition to him and his Institute. The more the Order grew the more marked became the opposition, and now learned and powerful men had actually gone to Rome to influence the Pontiff against the Order. [B-12-1] The Saint, therefore, had determined to see and speak with the Holy Father personally, and to obtain His approbation, also his encouragement, such as he had received from his two illustrious predecessors, Calixtus and Gelasius. The present occupant of the St. Peter's Chair was Honorius II, who had been elected on Dec. 21, 1124.
According to VandenElsen, St. Norbert was also accompanied on this journey by the celebrated Augustinian Abbot, Gerhoch of Reichersberg, who occupied an important position in the German Church of the twelfth century. [B-12-2]
Winter was nearing its close when the Saint and his companions at last stood beneath the walls of the Eternal City. What were the feelings which must have animated Norbert's soul, when, on approaching Rome, his thoughts reverted to his former visit, fifteen years before! Then he was the vain young man, the proud courtier, and belonged to the household of one who had made the Pope a prisoner; now he is the penitent—the missionary—the spiritual father of a household of hundreds and hundreds of children entirely devoted to the cause of God's Representative.
Pope Honorius was a great patron of learning and virtue. He had listened to the critics of Norbert, but he had heard such praise of him and his Order, that he received the Saint with all possible marks of respect and veneration. In fact the two earliest biographers of the Saint point with legitimate pride to the great honor and marks of esteem which the Holy Father bestowed upon the man "who had already done so much for the welfare of the Church, and to whom the future would point as a savior." [B-12-3] The Holy Father at once recognized Norbert's sincere humility, admired his wisdom and sanctity of life, and saw in him the true reformer. In consequence he most willingly gave Norbert his blessing and encouragement, and the fullest confirmation of his Order.
Honorius gave the Saint three different "Bulls." The first, dated February 16, 1126, confirms the foundation of different abbeys. Another received by Norbert on the next day, refers to the Motherhouse of Premontre alone. Both these "Bulls" were delivered to Norbert by Cardinal Haimeric, the great friend of St. Bernard. The third is dated February 27, 1126, and was also given at the Lateran. This third concerns the house of Cappenberg in particular, which it places under the special protection of the Holy See. The most important of the three is the first, by which the different foundations are confirmed in general. It reads as follows:
"Honorius, bishop, servant of servants of God. To our beloved sons, Norbert, our brother in Christ, and the canons of the church of St. Mary of Premontre, and to their successors having made profession of the religious life, forever. Those who follow in the footsteps of the Apostles, renounce the pomp of the world and their possessions, and apply themselves with all their might to the service of God, if they will have persevered in the good work they have begun, they will receive, on the day of Judgment, the robe of immortality and eternal glory.
"Therefore, since you by the inspiration of divine grace have determined to live religiously and to lead a canonical life according to the Rule of St. Augustine, we confirm your Institute by the authority of the Apostolic See, and We exhort you to be firm and to persevere with a view of the remission of your sins.
"We decree that it is forbidden to any one to change the order established according to the Rule of St. Augustine in your churches, where the brethren live who have made profession of the canonical life; that no bishop dare, in the future, drive away the brethren of this religious order from your churches; that no brother having promised to lead the canonical life dare leave your churches or monasteries without the consent of the community. If he does leave, no bishop nor abbot nor monk may receive him unless he presents letters from the community.
We further hereby also confirm the goods and possessions which you hold justly and legitimately, among which we have thought well to mention the following by name: The church of St. Martin at Laon, in the diocese of Laon; the church of St. Mary at Floreffe, in the diocese of Liege; the church of St. Mary and the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul at Cappenberg, in the diocese of Munster; the church of St. Mary at Varlar, in the same diocese; the church of St. Annal, in the diocese of Metz; [B-12-4] the church of St. Michael at Antwerp, in the diocese of Cambray; the valley of Premontre from the place called Halierpre to the valley of Rohard, with the three adjacent valleys, and from the river going to Vois, according to the location of the valleys; the two parts of the tenth which you hold of the farm of Orespy from the bishop of Laon, and all that has been given to you in this same place by our beloved son Louis, King of France; the freehold of Clairefontaine, the freehold of Ramignies with the mill, three farms at Bolmont, a farm at Anisy with the mill, a farm at Fraisnes; at Souppy three and a half farms and the freehold called Bonnuel; at Soissons a house with vineyard and land; vineyards in Laonnais, Broiencourt, Wissignicourt and Montarcenne; and besides, all that you in the future through the concessions of pontiffs or the liberality of kings and princes, or through other honest means, may be able to acquire canonically, We desire that you and your successors who will remain firm in the profession you have embraced, possess in an unviolable manner. We forbid any person to dare trouble your churches, to take your property, keep it, diminish it or trouble you by bold vexations. We ordain that your goods be kept entire to serve for the sustenance of the brethren and the poor, having regard, nevertheless, for the rights which belong to the diocesan bishops. If then in the future any person, be he an ecclesiastic or a secular, knowing this, Our regulation, will have acted in opposition to it, and if after two or three admonitions he refuses to give satisfaction, he shall be deprived of his authority and dignity; and he should know that he will have to appear one day before the Divine Tribunal to render an account of his iniquity. For the present he shall be excluded from all participation in the Body and Blood of our God and Redeemer, our Savior Jesus Christ, and on the final judgment day he shall be submitted to rigorous vengeance.
In regard to those, on the contrary, who will respect the right of your churches, may the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with them; may they receive in this life the fruits of their good works, and in the life to come, may they find the reward of an eternal peace. Amen.
"I, Honorius, bishop of the Catholic Church.
"Given from the palace of the Lateran by the hand of Haimeric, Cardinal-Deacon of the Holy Roman Church and Chancellor, XIV Kal. Mart. (February 16th). The year of the Incarnation of Our Lord, 1126, the second year of the Pontificate of Lord Honorius, pope. [B-12-6]
Thus at last Norbert's wish was gratified in every respect. Christ's Representative had fully approved of and confirmed the work of the Saint, and thus silenced his enemies. One finds in the church of Mortain in the diocese of Constanz, a valuable painting representing this memorable scene, "Norbert kneeling before Pope Honorius, who hands him the Bulls of approval and confirmation of the Premonstratensian Order." [B-12-6]
While at Rome, Norbert, in company with his three disciples, daily visited the tombs of the Apostles and the many places consecrated by the blood of the martyrs, as St. Lawrence, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia. The thought of what these holy apostles and martyrs had suffered and done for the glory of God and of the Church, filled him with a burning desire to work and suffer like them. Almighty God will soon grant him this desire, but in a manner vvholly unexpected by the Saint.
It happened that one day, when Norbert and his companions were in prayer and meditation, all distinctly heard a voice intimating that Norbert was soon to be bishop of Parthenopolis (Magdeburg). When they arose from prayer not one dared to speak of the incident, for although all had heard the same prophetic words, they were afraid to think of any separation, and therefore kept the secret, each in his own heart. It was sad news for all, but Norbert especially was overpowered by grief at the thought: first, of the dignity and responsibility; and, secondly, of the consequent separation from his brethren, for never for a moment did the Saint doubt the reality of this prophecy. [B-12-7]
Having received for the last time the apostolic blessing from Pope Honorius for himself and his brethren, Norbert left Rome, eager to return to his brethren and communicate to them the great favors he had obtained from the Sovereign Pontiff. One of his companions he sent by way of France to inform Count Theobald of his return. The Count had been anxiously awaiting him in order to be able to complete the arrangements for his marriage with Mathilda.
Norbert himself made the journey once more by way of Germany, preaching in the towns through which he was obliged to pass. Everywhere Almighty God blessed the word of His apostle, and not only did he succeed in making numerous conversions, but he also was enabled to make different new foundations, and thus perpetuate his noble work. He founded not far from Nemmingen, the monastery of Roth in the diocese of Constanz, through the generosity of Henna, baroness Wildenberg. Burchard became its first superior, and few monasteries in Germany have exercised greater influence than this foundation. It became the mother of other houses, one of which, the abbey of Wilten near Innsbruck, is in a flourishing condition today. [B-12-8]
The abbey of Roggenburg in the diocese of Augsburg. situated two miles from Ulm, was also founded at this time. The monastery of Ursperg, only recently founded, sent there the first religious. In the seventeenth century this abbey of Roggenburg was especially known for its rich and excellent library. Like most of Norbert's foundations, it also had a convent for nuns nearby, which convent existed over two hundred years. [B-12-9]
Although wherever Norbert went the people were always greatly edified at what they saw and heard, no town felt the effect of Norbert's zeal and charity more than Wurzburg. At the time of the Saint's arrival the place was in mourning for the death of its bishop, Rudger. Although the good bishop had died the year before, the people now more than ever felt their great loss, for a young cleric, Gebhard of Henneburg, unworthy as he was, tried to raise himself to this episcopal see. However, as we learn from a letter written by the Pope, on March 4th, Gebhard’s candidacy had been rejected. We have reason to suppose that Norbert came to Wurzburg with a particular mission from the Holy Father regarding this matter, since his coming was known in the place. Upon his arrival clergy as well as laity went out in large numbers to meet him, and urgently requested him to celebrate the sacred functions during Holy Week and Easter. [B-12-10]
When on Easter Sunday the Saint was celebrating High Mass in the cathedral of Wurzburg before a large assembly of people, a miraculous cure at once convinced all the people of his sanctity. They had already, no doubt, a great opinion of his holiness, for, says the biographer, during this solemn function a blind woman was carried before the altar. She was known to all, and great was the people's expectation when after the Communion of the Mass, she loudly begged the Saint to restore her sight. Norbert, touched with compassion and seeing her great faith, went to her immediately, as if driven by a divine impulse. After a fervent prayer he breathed on her eyes, and who can describe the enthusiasm of the people when, to the great astonishment of all, the woman instantly recovered her sight. [B-12-11]
This great miracle witnessed by the whole city, deeply touched the hearts of all, and greatly increased their veneration for Norbert, who used this popularity to make his preaching more effective. His holiness was proclaimed everywhere, and people said of him that by the breath of his mouth he made the blind to see, and by the unction of his words he opened the eyes and touched the hearts of the most obdurate sinners. Two of the most prominent men of the town, Canon John and his brother Henry, were so deeply impressed by Norbert's sermons and so much edified by his simple manner of life, that both renounced the world, joined the Saint in his apostolic work, and with their property founded the abbey of Oberzel, situated one mile outside the city of Wurzburg. This foundation, though at first nothing but a small oratory in honor of St. Michael, prospered greatly under the management of John, who in due time became its first superior. The monastery was built later, a little further away, and was then called Unterzell. Pope Innocent II solemnly confirmed this foundation, on the 20th of February, 1133.
Soon the Saint no longer felt at ease in the city of Wurzburg. The great miracle was on the lips of all, and the people were so enthusiastic and so full of admiration for Norbert, that they proclaimed him their new bishop, adding that such was plainly the will of God. Therefore Norbert and his companions, fearing lest the prophetic words heard at Rome, might already be verified, secretly fled from the city, and resumed their journey homeward.
Leaving Germany the Saint had to pass through Lorraine. The Duchy of Lorraine was then governed by Simon, son of Thierry-le-Vaillant. The duke went out to meet the Saint and begged the illustrious traveler to make a stay at his castle of Preny, where in consequence Norbert and his companions were received with the greatest ceremony. [B-12-12] Thanks to the generosity of this Count there was founded here the abbey of Sainte Marie-au-Bois, which abbey Norbert placed under the direction of Richard, one of the early disciples of Laon, who wisely governed the house for nearly thirty years. During the seventeenth century this abbey was the place where a reform of the Order to its original strictness was inaugurated by Abbot Servace de Lairvelz. [B-12-13]
The month of May was nearly over when Norbert arrived again at his dear Premontre. We can better imagine than describe his joy on entering the house of his choice, after this long absence. And when he beheld once more his beloved disciples, and related to them the great success he had met with everywhere on his journey—when he told them of his reception at Rome where he received the Pope's confirmation of the Order, and when he further imparted to them the apostolic blessing of the Pontiff . . . how fervently all must have thanked and praised God for His great goodness towards them!
On the other hand, the soul of Norbert was deeply moved at the dire distress in which the brethren were on account of their great charity for the poor during the famine. True, they had been able to supply daily 500 poor people with the necessities of life, but only by observing the strictest fast themselves. Norbert found them all emaciated and pale, and truly deserving of compassion. He consoled them, therefore, with those sweet and tender words which so spontaneously flowed from his heart.
Once back in the quiet of the monastery, Norbert was perfectly happy and busied himself with the affairs of the house, and especially with the instruction of the brethren morning and evening. In explaining to them the spirit of the Order, which was union of the active and contemplative life, Norbert insisted on the practice of monastic virtues no less than on the study of the Scriptures, which, as future missionaries, they could never know too well. An extract of one of these allocutions of Norbert to his disciples has come down to us and is as follows:!.
"My dear children, never be tired of studying these writings, in which you find a short exhortation to remain faithful in the service of God. For the Word of God is fiery, as the prophet says: it is inflamed with the fire of the Holy Ghost; it consumes vices and promotes virtue; it bestows wisdom on well disposed men, and provides for them heavenly food. Therefore Our Savior has said: "Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it." In this manner also Mary Magdalen, by listening attentively and devoutly to the Word of God, is said to have chosen the best part, which Martha, so solicitous in her outward administrations, was not able to obtain. Listen, therefore, cheerfully to the Word of God, keep it judiciously and observe it faithfully, in order that at the end of time you may rejoice to hear these consoling words of Christ: "Come ye blessed of My Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt. XXV, 34.)
<<Start of footnotes for Chapter B-12>>
[B-12-1]
Cfr. VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 180.
[B-12-2]
Ibidem, p. 182. A description of the character and work of' this celebrated Abbot may be found in the Appendix to the Letters of St. Bernard, edited by S. Eales, Vol. III, p. 194. In the same place is also found the letter he wrote to St. Bernard, and his Treatise respecting Simoniacs. VandenElsen further says that Gerhoch had been cited to Rome on account of indiscreet zeal.
[B-12-3]
Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., p. 310.
[B-12-4]
In regard to the church of St. Annal, in the diocese of Metz, Madelaine observes that this church is not mentioned in any catalogue, and we read in MSS. of' Hugo, T. I., p. 77: "Fatemur ignorare ubi steterit . . ." VandenElsen is of the opinion that the cathedral of Metz is meant, whose patron was St. Annal. Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., p. 310, and VandenElsen, p. 185.
[B-12-5]
Le Paige, "Biblioth. Ord. Praem., p. 392. It is to be noticed that not all Premonstratensian Foundations are named in this Bull. Madelaine observes (p. 310) that the only reason tor this was a lack of definitive organization in the places omitted. However, VandenElsen says that the Saint did not possess the houses of Cuissy, Steinfeld nor Mont-Cornillon, but that these had taken upon themselves to follow the rules of' the Premonstratensians without abdicating the right to their properties. He further continues that in virtue of' the Bull of 1124, given by the Legates, the sons of' Norbert were canonically ranged among the canons regular, living under the Rule of St. Augustine. The Bulls of' 1126 confirm the former and recognize their houses and lawful possessions. He further adds that only since 1131 the Premonstratensian Order has been recognized by another Papal Bull as an Order separate and distinct from all other Orders of canons regular.
In regard to the third Bull (see above p. 213), this same author, quoting "Analectes pour l'histoire eccl. de Belgique," XII, p. 35, says that the Bull approving and confirming the abbey of' Floreffe, was received by Norbert on March 4th.
[B-12-6]
Madelaine, op. cit., P. 307.
[B-12-7]
Vita Pertz, Ch. XV. Manifeete auditum est quod Pathenopolis futurus esset antietes. . . . Vita B, Ch. XXXIV.
[B-12-8]
Cfr. Cath. Encyclop., Vol. XV. "Weissenau," another daughterhouse of the Abbey of Roth.
[B-12-9]
Cfr. Suevia Ecclesiastica, p. 722. Also Annal. Ord. Praem., T. II, colt 697, et seq. "Rothum" and "Roggenburgum."
[B-12-10]
VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 189, who further quotes W. Bernhardi, p. 108, and Hefele, V. 442.
[B-12-11]
Cfr. Vita B, Ch. XXXIV. Vita, Pertz, Ch. XV. Pertz VI. Sigeb. contin. Praem., p. 449—the Offlce of St. Norbert and further every biographer of the saint.
[B-12-12]
The ancient registers of' the castle describe the order of' ceremonies and also contain a list of the expenses made by Simon, Duke of Lorraine, for this festive reception of Norbert. Cfr. Hugo "Vie de Saint Norbert," p. 191.
[B-12-13]
According to Hugo, op. cit., p. 194, this abbey, which in the seventeenth century was transferred to pont-a-Mousson, is being used today as a small seminary.
[B-12-14]
Sermo Sancti Norberti, taken from the "Vita" by Abbot Van der Sterre (1630).
