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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Tempora Norberti nunc Magdeburgica cingit
Inter Teutonicas Infula prima Mitras.
Norbert, Champion of' the Lord,
Vowed to lead with fearless word
His warriors on, Magdeburg is seeking thee—
While busily engaged in the training of young religious at Premontre, Norbert was not less watchful in regard to the other houses. Up to this time all the foundations were governed by simple superiors, without either the title or dignity of abbot. Now, however, his first care was to make preparations for the solemn benediction of two abbots: Gautier for the monastery of St. Martin at Laon, and Henry for the house at Viviers. Bishop Bartholomew conferred the abbatial dignity upon Gautier, and Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons, upon Henry. [B-13-1] Thus were Gautier and Henry the first disciples of Norbert to receive the dignity which the saint himself refused. They were abbots, however, without either ring or mitre; they bore only the crozier as the symbol of the authority they had over their subjects. [B-13-2] In 1225, the Provost of St. Mary's at Magdeburg received from Pope Gregory IX authorization to wear the mitre and other episcopal insignia. Other abbots also have asked for this privilege, and the custom has become general. [B-13-3]
At the urgent request of many bishops new colonies were constantly sent out from Premontre at this time, and numerous foundations made. The practice of the Saint, previously referred to, namely, of incorporating into the Order existing houses of secular canons, greatly increased the number of Norbert's disciples. In this manner the houses of Viviers, Cuissy and Braine had already become Premonstratensian abbeys, and it was at this time that the abbey of Steinfeld adopted Norbert's rules and constitutions. This abbey, situated but a few miles from the city of Cologne in the valley of "Eifel," had for some years been inhabited by canons regular of Springirsbach, who now, upon the advice of Frederic, Archbishop of Cologne, sought from Norbert the favor of affiliating themselves to this Order. The superior of the canons was appointed Provost of the community by Norbert, and he obtained in 1126 from Pope Honorius II confirmation of the church and monastery of St. Mary of Steinfeld, it being now a Premonstratensian foundation.. This superior’s name was Evervinus of Helfenstein. We read of him in the works of St. Bernard. He wrote a letter to St. Bernard about the heretics infesting the diocese of Cologne, and this letter became the occasion of two of St. Bernard's sermons. [B-13-5]
The abbey of Steinfeld is, moreover, well known on account of Blessed Herman Joseph, the popular Saint for youth. When only twelve years old, B1. Herman Joseph became a postulant in this monastery. This was in the year 1162. He died 79 years later, having been throughout his life an example of piety and obedience, and above all a child of Mary, favored by her in a most wonderful manner. [B-13-6]
In the preceding chapter we observed that Norbert, when leaving the city of Rome, had sent one of his companions to Count Theobald to advise him of Norbert's return. So about this time a messenger from the Count came to Premontre requesting the Saint to accompany Theobald to Ratisbon, to conclude negotiations for the intended marriage. This messenger seems to have been the Bishop of Chartres himself, who was a friend of both Theobald and Norbert. We infer this from the fact that, at this time the Saint informed Bishop Geoffrey of his vision in regard to his future bishopric. Although Norbert knew not how nor where, he was convinced that it was to come that year, and since the see of Magdeburg was vacant at the time, he told the bishop in confidence why he feared to undertake this journey. [B-13-7] On the other hand, however, Norbert knew how much he owed to the generous Count Theobald, and that moreover he himself had been instrumental in bringing about the coming marriage. Thus when the Count himself came to Premontre and insisted, the Saint no longer refused, although filled with strange forebodings.
Norbert seemed to know that he was to leave Premontre for good, and was sad at heart. Having received Norbert's promise, Count Theobald left Premontre, and no sooner was he gone than the Saint called the religious together and addressed them in the most tender words, as a father speaking to his children for the last time. This allocution, by some called the Sermon of St. Norbert, by others his "Farewell Address," has happily been preserved. [B-13-8] It forms Norbert's spiritual testament to his beloved children, whose sadness and bewilderment on this occasion, can better be imagined than expressed. As tears and sighs expressed the grief of the inhabitants of Miletus on the departure of St. Paul, the Apostle, so now at Premontre did sorrow find expression in tears and sighs. Although the exhortation might seem rather lengthy to insert here, still it is so clear a reflection of Norbert's soul, that we can not refrain from giving a translation:
"We exhort you, dearest brethren, to be most diligent in the service of God, to Whom you have consecrated yourselves by the solemn profession of your vows. For, having of your own free will and for the love of God renounced your earthly possessions, and also your entire selves, you are obliged daily to carry the Cross of Christ: that is, you are obliged continually to mortify your passions and spend your days in works of penance, suffering patiently the trials which will not fail to come to you from all sides.
"This indeed, is the narrow road to heaven, our-true country. This is the road which Jesus Christ has pointed out to us by His life and His death, His words and His deeds, and which infallibly leads to their heavenly country all who persevere to the end in that path. You cannot go to Christ unless you enter upon this narrow road with courage and confidence, and do your best to follow it. An Apostle has said: ‘For he also that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned except he strive lawfully;' (II. Tim. II. 5.) and another: 'He that saith he abideth in Him, ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.' (I St. John II. 6.) Walk therefore cautiously in the way which God has shown you, lest you be overtaken by death. Let your obedience be prompt, your poverty voluntary, and your chastity above suspicion. Without these three virtues that which constitutes our Order is wholly destroyed.
"You have promised stability or perseverance in this holy place; remain, therefore, faithful in the service of God, and never grow weary of your duties in the monastery. Never leave except when you are obliged to do so on account of temporal affairs, and in case of necessity, lest these useless excursions rob you of the sweetness of a virtuous life and of the consolation which you find in meditating on the divine mysteries; and lest also these excursions lead you astray and cause you to love the wicked world wherein there is no place free from corruption. For, as a fish out of the water is entirely deprived of its natural and necessary element, and hence soon dies, so a vagrant religious frequently found in the midst of a wicked world, deprived as he is of the protection of the cloister, far away from the example and salutary lessons of his brethren, soon falls into sin and gets entangled in the snares of everlasting death. Flee, therefore, my dearest brethren. the company of worldly persons as a fish avoids a dry place, but love the cloister which protects you and keeps the mind pure. For you make an unworthy use of the glorious name of your religious vocation, if by your earthly desires you show that you are more attached to the world than to God.
"Remain, therefore, constantly in the monastery, and remain there united by the bonds of charity. Keep a particular watch over your tongue in order that by avoiding murmuring, detraction and envy, you may all have, in the words of our Rule, one heart and one soul in the house of the Lord. For a slanderous and deceitful tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. It never ceases to do harm and to destroy the sweet peace of the monastery, and unnerve the piety of the community. It is therefore commonly said of those: 'A quarrelsome and grumbling monk is never a true monk."
"Therefore I repeat, put a restraint upon your tongue. Raise up your hearts to the kingdom of heaven where true joys are to be found. Animated by holy desires take your flight with the saints in the regions above in the contemplation of the divine mysteries. Bear with grief the burden of your bodies, so that you may say with the Apostle: 'I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ,' (Phil. I. 3) and with the Psalmist: 'Bring our souls, O Lord, out of the prison of our bodies.’ (Ps. CXLI. 8.) And thus you will reign eternally with Christ, Who reads our innermost thoughts.
"Though outwardly fairly clad with the white habit, a symbol of simplicity and innocence, but inwardly miserable, deprived of the spirit of religious perfection, should any one of you not observe the discipline of the Order, but despise the wholesome lessons of his superior and even perhaps the superior himself, let him remember that the thoughts of our hearts are known to God, and that, unless he repent in time, he will not escape the eternal torments of Hell wherein there is no order, but where an everlasting confusion dwelleth.
"Endeavor, therefore, to avoid the terrible judgments of God by constantly doing His will in fear and righteousness, in order that God may keep you in holy religion, and that in His mercies He may preserve you from everlasting punishment in Hell. God will abundantly reward those who are faithful in His service, for God gives a great reward for a small service, as He Himself promised His disciples, who having abandoned all they had, asked what should be their reward: 'You shall receive a hundredfold and possess life everlasting.' (Mat. XIX. 29.) May Jesus Christ lead you there. Amen. "
After this exhortation, having impressed once more on the minds of the brethren the necessity of practicing charity towards the poor and the sick, Norbert gave over to Hugh the government of his dear monastery. He then mounted his donkey and took the road to the castle "Chateau Thierry" where Count Theobald impatiently awaited his coming. That God might bless the object of their journey, Norbert induced the Count to receive the Sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist. [B-13-9] Finally, towards the end of the month of June, all started on their way to Ratisbon.
The Count was escorted by his court and, surrounded by several members of the nobility, was advancing with great pomp and splendor. Norbert was riding on his donkey, accompanied by two of his brethren with whom he spent the time in prayer and pious conversation. According to a plan prearranged by the Bishop of Ratisbon and Norbert, the bridal parties were to meet on the border of Germany. [B-13-10] Think of the great disappointment of all, when on reaching the place, they were met, not by the Marquess of Crayburg and his daughter Mathilda, but by deputies who were sent to inform them of the serious illness of the bride. This sad intelligence was a terrible trial for the Count and his friends; the more so because some of his party expressed their doubts about the illness of the princess, and saw in it an excuse for breaking the engagement.
After holding counsel among themselves, it was decided that Norbert was the only man able to assist the count in the unpleasant situation, and he was to do this by going himself to Ratisbon, to ascertain what were the real conditions. Norbert, seeing the reasonableness of the request, for the Saint himself was greatly perplexed, consented to the proposal, and the Count gave him eight silver marks to defray the expenses of this journey. The money, however, Norbert at once dispatched to Premontre, where he knew it was greatly needed for the poor. [B-13-11] He thus undertook the journey as he always did, without money, but with a great confidence in Divine Providence.
Be it observed here in a few words that Norbert never really fulfilled this mission, for the princess had truly been indisposed on her way to Metz. After she recovered, all took place as prearranged. The Count and Mathilda were happily joined in the bonds of matrimony, probably by Norbert himself. [B-13-12]
On his way to Ratisbon Norbert was obliged to pass through the city of Spires, where at that time a solemn Diet of Bishops and German princes was being held under Lothaire III. The news of Norbert's arrival soon spread through Spires, and Lothaire, having heard so much of his numerous miracles and heroic virtues, expressed a wish to see him and consult him in regard to some important affairs which were being treated at the Diet. How accidental it all seemed, and yet we shall soon see clearly that it was the work of Divine Providence.
There were present at the Diet, first of all, two Legates of Pope Honorius, Cardinal Gerard, who afterwards occupied St. Peter's Throne under the name of Lucius II, and Cardinal Peter of the title of St. Marcellus. Besides, there was Adalbert, Archbishop of Mainz; Albero of Metz, afterwards Bishop of Treves, and a number of bishops, abbots and nobles. Then there was, and this is most important to know, a large deputation of clergy and laity from Magdeburg, who had come to solicit from the papal Legates and King Lothaire a successor to Archbishop Rudger, who had died, Dec. 20th, 1124. Thus far there had been a disagreement whenever an election had taken place for a successor. In fact, things were in such a state in Magdeburg that King Lothaire had celebrated Easter in that place in order that by his presence and authority he might bring them to an agreement, but without success. Now these deputies had come to Spires in order to try to settle affairs before this solemn assembly. [B-13-13] This question was just being treated when the Saint's arrival was announced.
Norbert was well known to all these dignitaries, since his disciples were represented in the dioceses of nearly all the bishops present. Again, the great miracle of Wurzburg, where the Saint had restored the sight to a blind woman, was still fresh in the memory of all, for Wurzburg is in the neighborhood of Spires. No wonder therefore that Norbert's arrival was hailed by every one as the coming of a man sent by God to help them solve their difficulties. He was at once asked to speak, and took for his subject the very difficulty that occupied the minds of all. He spoke of the duties of superiors, the obedience of subjects, and thus came to the government of churches and the election of its pastors.
His persuasive eloquence produced marvelous results, say the biographers, and soon the election for the see of Magdeburg was taken up with great earnestness. By one faction, Conrad of Querfurt had really been elected, but his election had for different reasons not been confirmed. However, he was again a candidate with Albero of Metz. When after the first election the ballots were counted, Norbert, who was unaware of his having been proposed as a candidate, heard to his great consternation, his own name mentioned several times. Trembling with fear he decided to leave at once, and protested with all his might. His departure was prevented, however, and what is more, suddenly Albero of Metz arose in the assembly and declared openly that Norbert was the future bishop by God's choice, and that it was useless to deliberate any longer. [B-13-14] At this moment all present arose and proclaimed Norbert as the new Archbishop of Magdeburg. Again Norbert tried to escape from the hall, but the deputies of Magdeburg followed him and carried him in triumph before the papal Legates and King Lothaire, crying: "Him we want for our Bishop and Father. [B-13-15]
Norbert, with tears in his eyes, entreated both the Legates and the King not to confirm this election. But it was all in vain; on the contrary, the Legates as well as the King made use of all their authority to oblige Norbert to yield. The Legate, Cardinal Gerard, arose then in the assembly and spoke these solemn words: "And We, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, We elect and name for your Bishop, Master Norbert, a man of tried virtue, whom God, We are fully convinced, has sent here for this purpose."
Norbert then submitted to what he was now convinced was God's holy Will. And thus was fulfilled the prophecy made to his mother Hadwigis; at the time of his birth, and also the prophetic words heard in Rome.
Wonderful indeed are the ways of Divine Providence! The Saint had been detained on his way to Ratisbon, whither he was going to find a bride for Count Theobald, and God had prepared a spiritual bride for himself in the church of Magdeburg. The chronicler of Brandenburg concludes the description of the above events with these words: "Thus the emperor himself had proclaimed Norbert as Archbishop; the Legates in the name of Pope Honorius confirmed the nomination in the midst of loud acclamations of all the representatives of the church of Magdeburg'' [B-13-16] "And," says the chronicler Hermann, "A Te Deum was solemnly intoned to thank God for this unforeseen but happy turn of events."
Kneeling before the King, Norbert then received the pectoral Cross, [B-13-17] while Cardinal Gerard addressed him with these words: "By the authority of Almighty God, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of Lord Pope Honorius, I command you no longer to resist this call from God. As a faithful and prudent servant, administer the treasures of the Word of God which are confided to you, that on the great day of the Lord you may hear these consoling words: 'Well done, faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord."
Norbert now took leave of the Legates and the King, and poured forth his heart in prayer to God. Kneeling before His altar, the Saint shed an abundance of tears. The recent events seemed like a dream to him, and the thought of his future dignity and responsibility made him suffer a veritable agony. When he arose from prayer he said: "Not my will, but Thy will be done, O God," and with these words he was consoled and strengthened.
<<Start of Footnotes for Chapter B-13>>
[B-13-1]
Cfr. Vita B, Ch. XXXV. Also Pertz VI. Sigeb. Contin. Praem., p. 449.
[B-13-2]
Cfr. Hugo "Annales Ord. Praem." T. I. Praefatio IX.
[B-13-3]
Be it observed here that there always has been some difference between the houses in Germany and those in other countries in regard to the title of the superior. The German superiors were never called abbots, but provosts. As early as 1146, all superiors of the Order were permitted by a Bull of Pope Eugenius III, to receive the abbatial benediction but did not make use of the privilege until 1226. Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., p. 317.
[B-13-4]
Cfr. Hugo Annals, T. II. Steinfeldia, col. 851, et seq. Miraeus, Chron. Ord. Praem., p. 45, ad annum 1126.
[B-13-5]
Sermons LXV and LXVI (of St. Bernard) thus says S. J. Eales, which begin from the exposition of that verse, "Take us the little foxes" (ii, 16), the Saint composed against the heretics of Cologne, having been induced to do this by a letter written to him by Everwin, provost of Steinfeld, which letter he seems on that account to have placed at the head of those two sermons. "Works of St. Bernard," Vol. IV, p. 4. The letter is also found in the same volume, p. 388, and shows plainly that Everwin was the apostle of Cologne as Norbert was the apostle of Antwerp. In the first vol., p. 66, Eales observes: "I have not the least doubt that these heretics of Cologne were produced in the workshop of Tanchelm."
[B-13-6]
Cfr. Life of Bl. Hermann Joseph by Wilfrid Gallway, where it is also stated (p. 18) that the once famous monastery of Steinfeld is no more, but that a reform school has been erected on the place where the old abbey stood.
[B-13-7]
This fact is stated in the Acta SS. (T. XX, p. 863) as follows: "Colloquens iamuiari suo Domino Godefrido Canotensis urbis episcopo, dixit ei se per visum cognovisse quod ipso anno futurus esset episcopus . . .," Cfr. also Hugo "La vie de saint Norbert," p. 202.
[B-13-8]
Cfr. Hugo, op. cit., p. 202-206 who speaks of this address as a letter which Norbert sent to the canons later. The early biographer says plainly ``Valefaciens autem fratribus suis." Vita A, Ch. XVI. Cfr. also VanderSterre "Vita S. Norberti," pp. 261-170. Sermo . . . Fath. Jerome Hirhaim, Abbot of Strahov, Prague, has paraphrased this address in his instructions to the religious. "Sermo S. Norberti enucleatus" in fol. 1676. Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., pp. 322-326.
[B-13-9]
Cfr. Madelaine, op. cit., p. 330. Hugo, op. cit., p. 210.
[B-13-10]
VandenElsen says that the meeting was arranged for the city of' Metz; he bases his opinion on Hermann and on Hugo, who on p. 191 speak even of' the great banquet prepared here tor this occasion. VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 194.
[B-13-11]
Cfr. Hugo, "La Vie de saint Norbert," p. 213.
[B-13-12]
Thus VandenElsen, p. 196. We further know that out of this union were born ten children, some of' whom are wellknown persons in history. Thus the eldest son, Henry, who married the daughter of' the King of' France, went twice to Jerusalem with the Crusaders, and his son became King ot Jerusalem, in 1205. The fourth son became an Archbishop and even Cardinal and Legate of' the Roman Church in Gaul. His name was William. It was in order to gratify his wishes that Alexander III conferred on the see of Rheims the right of' consecrating the French King. Confer H. d'Arblois de Jubainville. S. Eales, op. cit., p. 769. (Vol. II.)
[B-13-13]
Cfr. Hertel "Leben des H. Norbert." Also Tenckhoff, p. 29. Further Chron. Gratiae Dei—Ann. Saxon. VI, 763 ad annum, 1126.
[B-13-14]
Ctr. Acta SS. T. XX, p. 854. Also Pertz Gesta Alberonis (VIII) . . . Suis effecit ingeniis Albero quod domnus Norbertus, vir famosae religionis, eamdem ecclesiam regendam suscepit.
[B-13-15]
Vita B, Ch. XLII. "Hunc in Patrem eligimus; hunc pastorem nostrum approbamus." Cfr. Pertz VI. Sigeb. Contin. Praem. ad annum 1127. The indication of the year, observes Madelaine, is without doubt a mistake, since it is certain that this event took place in the month of July, 1126.
[B-13-16]
Vita A, Ch. XVI.
[B-13-17]
Ibidem: Ad imperatoris genua humiliatus, virgam pastoralem, quae quasi in manibus eius inserebatur, accipere coactus est . . .
