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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Quum Nivigellae Batanam de corde puellae
Propulsas, album te vocat canem.
Tartareum dum nempe lupum mordesque jugasque
Ipse fuga Domini Te probat esse canem
When at Nivelles St. Norbert drove out the evil spirit from a young girl, Satan called him a white dog. His continued chasing of Satan proves Norbert in reality the dog of' the Lord.
With the marvelous growth and development of the spiritual edifice at Premontre, the necessity of material expansion had become more and more urgent. There were still the poor little huts, made of wood and clay, and arranged camp-like around the chapel. These thus far had served as temporary quarters, and had given to the brethren shelter and protection against the chilly fall weather. However, as is evident, this could be only a provisionary arrangement, and the building of a spacious house had now become imperative. Further, there was the small chapel of St. John the Baptist, where we found our Saint in ecstasy on his first visit to Premontre, and which at this time proved entirely inadequate for the community. For lack of space the canons were even unable to observe the proper ceremonial of the Church in the chanting of the Office. In a word, the young community had entirely outgrown its primitive monastery, and lack of accommodation must interfere with the regularity of religious life. Now it was with the intention of soon building a church, that Norbert had undertaken a journey to Cologne the year before, to procure the relics of saints, in order that by their intercession the brethren might be enabled to erect a church worthy of the name. It is not recorded in what manner these saints came to Norbert's assistance; however, in the beginning of the year 1122 the brethren decided to erect both a church and a monastery.
Humanly speaking, every one will admit that the marshy valley of Premontre was by no means a favorable location for the establishment of the center of an institution such as Norbert had planned. Neither can we be surprised that some of the brethren, reasoning from a natural standpoint, expressed their disapprobation of the plan, saying that the valley was neither a place for a church nor a monastery. The Saint, however, rebuked them, and told them of his determination to build both a church and a monastery on the place pointed out to him in his vision.! Why should they rely on human wisdom when God Himself had pointed out the place.
As was his wont, Norbert took refuge in prayer, and was soon more than ever convinced of help from on high. He asked the brethren likewise to pray, urging that faith and confidence in God know of no obstacles, but often accomplish things which, humanly speaking, seem utterly impossible. He said:
"It is an incontestable fact, dearest brethren, that Jesus our Master did not come into this world to lead a life of ease, but to suffer and die on the wood of the Cross. He knew full well that Jerusalem was preparing for Him a gibbet; nevertheless, He looked upon the city with compassion, and when His hour had come, He did not take one step to avoid the place. Thus, brethren, must one live in religion; the true religious lives only for Christ. He who would attain this sublime ideal, must first of all put aside all worldly conveniences; the world must be dead for him. Has not St. Paul, our model, said: 'I live, now not I, but Christ liveth in me!' If we pretend to be truly poor, we should not preoccupy ourselves with our way of living; to desire presents and to look for the comforts of life, is degenerating for true disciples of Jesus Christ. Assuredly anxiety for this earthly home should not disturb the life of those who have come to the monastery to die to the world. Only those are truly living who live, not for themselves, but in whom lives the poor Christ." (Vita B, 1. c.)
Thus far two revelations had indicated the place where the new church was to be erected. Now whilst Norbert and the brethren were earnestly engaged in prayer, God's will was made manifest to them a third time, and the exact location pointed out. This happened in the following manner: in the center of the valley, the very spot where the church was eventually built, there appeared to B1. Hugh, Our Lord full of glory, hanging upon the Cross. "Thabor and Golgotha at the same time!" as one of the biographers remarks. Seven sunbeams of marvelous brightness shone upon our Crucified Redeemer. There was a multitude of white-robed pilgrims, holding staffs in their hands, and wallets strung across their shoulders, coming from the four quarters of the earth, and they paid homage to the Cross on their knees, kissed the feet of their Savior, and then went back to spread the glory of His Holy Name over the whole world. ( Vita B, 1. c. )
Norbert, to whom Hugh had related this vision, understood at once that the church had to be built on the exact spot where the Cross had appeared. Though the Saint himself had not the honor of the vision, heaven revealed to him its import. Full of gratitude, he first humbly knelt before God's altar, and poured forth his heart in an ecstasy of joy. He then went to the brethren and, in the fullness of his prophetic spirit, explained to them the future events foreshadowed by this miraculous Cross. He said:
"Courage, brethren, prepare yourself for battle and have courage! Visible and invisible enemies will try your virtue, and seek to disturb the calm of our dear solitude. The Cross is the symbol which at once announces war and foretells victory. New soldiers will join, and persevere unto the end in the warfare which you have undertaken." (Vita B, Ch. XXVII.)
The brethren were deeply moved by this visible intervention from on high, and at once work on the new church was begun. The shadow of the Cross seen by Hugh in the vision, formed the outline of the walls. A capable builder from France was put at the head of Norbert's little army of volunteers, and when these were joined by a number of workmen from Cologne, the excavations were soon well under way. But alas! the soil was so wet and marshy that soon even the most experienced workmen despaired of ever being able to build a solid foundation. But Norbert's faith and confidence in God could not be shaken. Prospects looked very discouraging to every one except Norbert. He told the brethren to go out and gather all the stones they could find in the neighboring country, and cast them into the ditches as the men were making them. [B-5-2] Meanwhile, he was so convinced of his ultimate success, that he even went ahead and fixed the day for the solemn blessing and laying of the cornerstone, and invited for this occasion Bartholomew, Bishop of Laon. The day soon arrived, and what at first seemed to all impossible, had now been accomplished, and everything was in readiness for the ceremony.
How great a day this must have been for Norbert! When the good bishop arrived, thus we read in the Acta Sanctorum, [B-5-3] a whole army of religious went out to meet His Lordship. Clothed as they all were in the white habit, and chanting joyful hymns, the Prelate was vividly reminded of Norbert's first vision in this same place two years before, and appeared very much affected. His Lordship was accompanied by Lisiard, Bishop of Soissons and by several very prominent persons. There was also present on this occasion Thomas de Marle, Lord of Coucy, very unfavorably known for his wild life. A man, says Guibert of Nogent, who had absolutely no regard for human life, but treated his men like cattle, and killed them like wild animals. He was present because, strange to say, he stood in great awe of Norbert, whom he feared, knowing him to be a man of God. He had come with his young son Enguerrand, who is to become one of the greatest benefactors of Premontre, and whose body will one day be buried in the church of the monastery. [B-5-4] According to some, St. Bernard was also present on this occasion, but this seems doubtful. It is certain, however, that there was a great number of people and clergy.
Many were of the opinion that Norbert would never be able to carry out his plans in the marshy valley at Premontre, and a certain feeling of compassion for Norbert had no doubt increased the number of those present. We read (Vita B, Ch. XXVIII) that some treated the whole enterprise as something most unpracticable, shook their heads and tried to prevail on Norbert still to change his location. Others, however, who knew him to be a Saint who was doing this work under divine inspiration, praised his work highly. It is even related that after the ceremony of the blessing was finished, a woman present became so enthusiastic, that she applied to Norbert these words of the Gospel: "Blessed is the womb that bore thee. " On hearing it, the Saint became really indignant and exclaimed: "Cursed be the evil one who inspired thee with this thought, to give me the honor which is due to God."
As soon as the solemnities were over, the workmen resumed their task with renewed ardor. Norbert was more than ever strengthened in his confidence in God; and, leaving the supervision of the work to his disciple, Hugh, without the least anxiety as to the future, he resumed again his missionary labor. He first went to Floreffe where, as we have observed, a new foundation had been made on his return journey from Cologne. We can imagine how great his solicitude must have been for this second foundation under the direction of Richard, since he felt that his presence was necessary at least for some time, in order to perfect the work he had begun. No mention is made as to whether or not Norbert assisted at the solemn inauguration of the new monastery, which, according to the Annals of Floreffe, took place on the 25th of January, 1122. There certainly is every reason to suppose that he did. But of this we are assured, that Norbert by his example at Floreffe grafted the true spirit upon this new foundation, and that this abbey was as dear to him as Premontre.
During his stay at the abbey, a singular event occurred which is chronicled by different biographers. While offering up the Holy Sacrifice with his usual piety and deep faith, Norbert remarked upon his paten, just before the Communion of the Mass, a large drop of the Precious Blood, all red and surrounded by rays of light which came from the Sacred Host. Turning towards Ludolph, his deacon, he said: "Brother, do you see what I see?" The deacon replied: "I do, Father!" whereupon Norbert, shedding abundant tears, continued his Mass. [B-5-5] The altarstone on which the Saint celebrated this Holy Sacrifice has been kept ever since in the mainaltar of the abbey church at Floreffe.
A brilliant and great future awaited the monastery of Floreffe, so happily inaugurated. The Bishop of Liege, Alberon, favored it in every way, and approved and confirmed the foundation by a solemn charter, dated May 20th, 1124. He exempted the abbey from all diocesan rights, asked from the brethren a filial submission, and gave to the abbot the right to appoint the pastor for Floreffe. [B-5-6] When the saintly Abbot Richard died in the year 1131 (Dec. 30th), the abbey was firmly established, and continued its good work until the days of the French Revolution.
Having seen the monastery placed on a solid foundation, Norbert resumed his preaching, going to Namur, Huy, Liege, Tongres, and probably as far as Louvain, for thus we read in the Annals of the Abbey of Parc, near Louvain: "In 1122 Norbert began to preach in Brabant" (p. 598). Although no details have come down to us describing this missionary tour in particular, we have reason to believe that his journey was one series of triumphs over sin and Satan.
In the beginning of May the Saint arrived at Maastricht, in the South of Holland. The people were just celebrating the patronal feast of their city, the feast of St. Servace. This Saint had been a bishop of Tongres in the fourth century. Acting upon a warning from heaven, he had moved his episcopal throne to Maastricht, where ever since his death, the people honored his memory every year with great solemnity, and invoked him as their special protector. Here also his sacred remains rested in the cathedral church.
Norbert at once expressed his great desire to venerate the relics of St. Servace, which were kept in a silk veil. According to popular tradition this veil had been brought down from heaven by angels at the time of the holy bishop's death, to envelop his sacred remains. In the presence of Norbert and at his urgent request, the reliquary was opened with the greatest respect. No sooner had this been done than the veil was by some invisible power lifted up in the air, and after moving about in the basilica remained suspended from the ceiling. The people were struck with awe and admiration, but some began lamenting the loss of the veil, and a general commotion ensued. Meanwhile Norbert, who in silence had been admiring the prodigy, now inspired from above, prepared himself for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice. And behold! when at the beginning of the Canon he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross, as is prescribed by the rubrics, the veil miraculously returned, resting on the arms of Norbert, who then replaced it with great reverence in the reliquary. [B-5-7]
Whatever heaven's design was in this most wonderful event, it is certain that all the people were filled with the greatest admiration and reverence for Norbert, and that his missionary labors became thereby all the more effective. It is impossible to estimate all the good he accomplished at this time at Maastricht. A great number of sinners were brought to repentance, peace was restored between enemies, and the more virtuous were reanimated in the practice of their religion. Leaving Maastricht the Saint crossed the Rhine and, going into Westphalia, went from town to town preaching the gospel of penance. At his prayer the sick were healed, and they who were possessed were delivered from the evil one. Many of these events were recorded, but the records were mostly destroyed in the fire of Magdeburg, of which we shall speak in a later chapter. That Norbert did perform a great many miracles we know positively, both from contemporary writers who befriended the Saint, and also from his enemies who made them a subject of reproach to him, as for instance, Abelard.
As all great and saintly enterprises are exposed to the most violent attacks, it ought not to surprise us that religious Orders, especially in their infancy, are a constant target for the fury of Satan, for he naturally does all in his power to prevent the raising of establishments which he knows to be fatal to his empire. Thus the Patriarch of the Monks of the West had no sooner formed his great project of founding that grand Order, which throughout the course of its history has done so much for the good of religion, than Satan came to declare war and to frustrate his plans. Many times did he frighten the masons and even break down the walls they had built. [B-5-8] Thus also at Premontre, especially during the absence of Norbert, Satan never ceased in his endeavors to disturb the young community. Their holy lives aroused his anger, and the progress of their new building seemed to make him desperate. Sometimes he appeared with a number of his satellites to attack Premontre as a band of armed soldiers attacks a stronghold. The religious as well as the other workmen felt plainly on these occasions the presence of some invisible enemy preventing them from working until they sprinkled holy water all over the place. On one occasion especially, all were greatly disturbed and felt obliged to call the Prior. Blessed Hugh came and banished the evil one by the sign of the Cross. At other times Hugh commanded Satan in the name of Norbert to depart, and the evil one obeyed. It happened on one occasion when B1. Hugh was exorcising one of the laybrothers, that the devil confessed openly that he was that same spirit whom Norbert—"that white dog whose birth should be cursed forever"—had expelled from the girl at Nivelles. He left his present victim under loud protestations, showing incidentally Norbert's great power over evil spirits. (Vita B, Ch. XXIX-XXX.)
However, in spite of all the annoyances of Satan the building at Premontre progressed marvelously, and in less than nine months a truly magnificent church had been erected. Even before it was entirely completed, the foundations had also been laid for a spacious house, as the early historian says, "large enough to accommodate two hundred brethren." When both were finished, there were assembled once more clergy and laity for the solemn dedication.
In November of the same year we again see the good Bishop of Laon, Bartholomew, Bishop Lisiard of Soissons, and a large number of clergy and laity, preceded by white-robed canons, move in stately procession through the marshy valley of Premontre towards the new church. The precious relics which Norbert had brought over from Cologne the year before, were placed in costly reliquaries and exposed for veneration; the church, beautifully decorated for this impressive occasion, could hardly contain the great number, who came for the solemn ceremony. A truly great day for Norbert, whose faith and unshaken confidence in God were thus rewarded, and a day of triumph for the brethren who at last saw their holy desires realized! But alas! a singular event changed their joy into real sadness. The consecration of the new altar had hardly taken place when all of a sudden the altar gave way, owing to the great pressure of the crowd, and leaned over to one side; with a crash the newly consecrated stone broke in two, invalidating the consecration. [B-5-9]
For a moment even the Saint himself was greatly disturbed, but at once checking this impulse of nature, he remained unshaken in his confidence in God. In his prophetic spirit he then saw in this sad occurrence a foretoken of the future history of his Order, which though once almost annihilated, would again rise to a new life; of this he spoke to his disciples. We may add that later events have proved the truth of this prophecy. At the time of the French Revolution the Order became almost extinct not only in France but also in other parts of Europe, but since that crisis it has been steadily rising to a new life. In the year 1805 Pope Pius VII, while at Paris, said these remarkable words to the Abbot-General of the Order: "God will, no doubt, bring back to life an Order, which has rendered such excellent services to the Church." [B-5-10]
At last the church and the monastery at Premontre were completed; and, when to-day we read the historical description of these buildings, we ask ourselves how was it possible for those men to erect such beautiful buildings in the short time of nine months, and that under the most trying conditions. The monk Hermannus wrote, in regard to the foundation of Premontre: "All travelers come to see the church and the monastery at Premontre, and also the great wall built around the whole by Blessed Hugh. I do not believe that one can find anything similar even in the wealthiest and most ancient monasteries of France. Every visitor is forced to exclaim that this is not the work of man but of God'' [B-5-11]
After the church and the monastery were built at both Premontre and Floreffe, and the daily routine of monastic life was resumed with new vigor, Norbert did not rest; but, to make new foundations, and thus work a reform of all canons, now became his ambition. The marvelous growth of the new Order from now until the Saint's death is nothing short of miraculous. New foundations sprang up as if from the ground, and wherever Norbert found a lax community of religious, he always tried to induce them to affiliate with one of his abbeys. This he effected in the following manner: Two or more of these religious came to a Premonstratensian abbey, studied for a while the customs and manner of living of the Fathers, and then were sent back by Norbert to their own house to introduce the same discipline. Thus Norbert was rapidly attaining his object, "Reform," for even at this time his numerous disciples were bringing about a notable change in existing conditions,. In the first five years new foundations were made by Norbert in Floreffe, Viviers, St. Josse, Ardenne, Cuissy, Laon, Liege, Antwerp, Varlar, Cappenberg, and thirty years after the £ounding of Premontre, over one hundred abbots were present at the General Chapter of the Order. [B-5-12]
<<start of footnotes for Chapter B-5>>
[B-5-1]
Vita B, Ch. XXVII.
[B-5-2]
Vita B, Ch. XXVIII. Pars coementariorum Teutonici . . . pars nostrates, amici jam Praemonstratensium . . . tanta namque ibi palus erat quod vix sorberi poterat, cum etiam multa lapidum congeries projiceretur.
[B-5-3]
Acta SS. XX. "Analecta Norbertina," p. 854 Venienti Episcopo totus ille Dei exercitus . . . Quod Norbertus in visu viderat, hoc idem Episcopus revera corporaliter nunc fieri cernebat.
[B-5-4]
De Florival. Barthelemy de Vir. Ch. IV, p. 65, et seq.
[B-5-5]
Acta SS. XX, p. 846. "Videsne," inquit, "Frater, quod ego video?" "Video," ait, "Domine." Coepitque pro tantae rei magnitudine uberius flere . . .
[B-5-6]
Cfr. Hugo. "La Vie de saint Norbert," p. 149. Also Barbier " Histoire de l’Abbaye de Floreffe," p. 39.
[B-5-7]
Vita B. Appendix Can. Cappenb., Ch. VIII, where a detailed description is given of this occurrence. Cfr. Also Acta SS. T. XV, pp. 208-230.
[B-5-8]
Hugo "La Vie de saint Norbert" preface.
[B-5-9]
Vita B, Ch. XXVIII. Sub tempre novem mensium . . . cum multitudo innumera . . . currerent, motum est altare majus, et lapis dissolutus, consegratioque cassata est . . . ! In the same chapter, however, it is also related, that the consecration was done over privately one week later, on the feast of St. Martin.
[B-5-10]
Cfr. G. VandenElsen "Het Leven van den H. Norbertus," p. 94
[B-5-11]
Cfr. Pertz. Script. XII
[B-5-12]
Cfr. VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 96.
