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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Godefridus Comes hic, comitis cum conjuge, Frater Nomina Militiae dant pretiosa novae.
Godfrey, Count of Cappenberg, with his wife and brother, enter the Order of' St. Norbert.
We here deviate from the chronological order of events, to devote some time to the Counts of Cappenberg on account of their great liberality towards the young Order. It might be well to recall, that we are writing of the ages of faith, when eminent virtue was admired and honored, even as in our times, great learning and affluence are. Norbert's austerity, his manifest power over Satan, his powerful preaching—all these had aroused the admiration of the people and inflamed their hearts with a holy enthusiasm. His advent was hailed like that of a great conqueror. Thus we read in the life of B1. Godfrey, written by a contemporary: "In those days there appeared in Westphalia that brilliant light of the Church, Norbert, the famous preacher. He was a man graceful in appearance, eloquent in speech. He reformed the clergy and propagated the Order of Canons Regular by founding numerous monasteries . . . !" [B-6-1]
Large crowds ever followed him and the number that offered to become his disciples, sometimes surpasses the belief of even the most credulous. Among the many nobles who at this time were deeply influenced by the Saint's preaching and manner of living, was a young Count, by the name of Godfrey. Although quite young, (he was born in the year 1097, and thus was only in his 26th year) he was considered one of the most powerful princes of Westphalia, and when in the army of Henry V, had distinguished himself on several occasions. He lived in the splendid castle of Cappenberg, in the diocese of Munster. Situated on a high mountain, the castle was famed for its picturesque surroundings, and was also considered an impenetrable stronghold.
Godfrey was a descendant of a very illustrious family. He had married a daughter of the noble and wealthy house of Arenberg. Her name was Jutta. Since the death of his father, Godfrey as eldest son, governed the large estates of Cappenberg and was greatly beloved by his subjects. Different historians disagree as to the time and place where Count Godfrey first became acquainted with our Saint. Some say they had first met while Norbert was at the Court of the Emperor. Others assign Xanten as their first meeting place, since Godfrey owned large estates near the birthplace of our Saint. Tenffoff observes that Godfrey had heard Norbert's sermons while the latter was at Cologne procuring relics. [B-6-2] At any rate it appears certain that the Count knew Norbert, for before the Saint arrived, Godfrey had made all necessary preparations to become his disciple.
Since their meeting, at whatever place it was, Godfrey had felt himself strongly drawn towards Norbert, and had even mentioned to others his intention of dedicating himself entirely to God. [B-6-3] Divine Providence then led him to the Saint at this time, and thus in the same year that foundations were made in Floreffe (Belgium), and the church and the monastery built in Premontre (France), in that very same year Norbert was also enabled through the liberality of this Count to make a new foundation on German soil. To do justice to the noble character of the Count, we must not overlook the numerous obstacles he had to overcome before offering himself and all he had to Almighty God.
There was first and foremost his young and beautiful wife, truly devoted to him, and not at all inclined to be separated from a noble and loving husband. To leave her without her consent would be to break his solemn oath taken before God's altar—"till death doth us part." With God's help, however, he succeeded in winning her over to his views, and she also decided to leave the world and give herself to God. One day she will be abbess of the convent of Herfort, where Godfrey's sister Beatrix, also is to take the veil. Still greater difficulty had he in persuading his brother, Otto, who at first refused outright to credit his sincerity. Here again, by the grace of God, he succeeded in obtaining a consent. But we can readily understand that the consent of neither Jutta nor Otto was obtained in a day, but only after a long and painful struggle, and not without help from above; for we must not forget that we are here dealing with great and wealthy nobles. To sacrifice everything and become beggars for the sake of Christ, however great and heroic from a supernatural standpoint, is something from which human nature at all times recoils.
Meanwhile Norbert had come into Westphalia, where, without his knowledge, all these preparations had been made. This was in the month of May, 1122. As soon as Godfrey heard of his arrival he at once hastened to him, and to Norbert's great surprise he offered him the castle of Cappenberg with all its dependencies, its gardens and pastures, its woods and mills. The castle itself was to be turned at once into a monastery for the Saint's disciples. Norbert accepted his generous offer. When, on the 31st of May, the transfer had been made with due solemnity, and Godfrey had given up all he had, he then offered himself, and begged of the Saint to receive him as one of his disciples. To this also Norbert consented, but refused to clothe him as yet with the religious habit, for he foresaw the numerous difficulties which would arise from the Count's generosity. [B-6-4]
Meanwhile the necessary alterations were being made in the castle to fit the place for the life of religious, and on the 15th day of August the Bishop of Munster, Thierry de Winzenburch, came to solemnly dedicate the new monastery and provisionary chapel. [B-6-5] Norbert installed some of the brethren of Premontre, and this foundation of Cappenberg made such rapid progress, that in a few years it became the splendor of the Order, ranking as high as Premontre itself. Norbert himself, as long as he lived, bore the title of Provost of the House of Cappenberg, although during his lifetime, first Cuno, and later Otto, were its actual superiors. But all official documents of that time are addressed to Norbert, Provost of Cappenberg, and the list of Provosts is headed by the name of Norbert. His love for this house was exceedingly great and he often spoke of Cappenberg as the "Holy Mountain."
While a new church was being built, plans were made by the advice of Norbert, for the erection of a "Xenodochium," i.e., a great hospital for the sick of the neighborhood and for travelers, and at the same time an almshouse where large numbers were to be daily fed. "It was Norbert's constant desire," observes Madelaine, "to have the roof of charity in the shadow of the house of prayer."
As soon as these buildings were completed, Jutta expressed her desire of taking the veil in religion, and forthwith a large convent was built at the foot of the mountain for Norbertine Sisters. It was known by the name of "Nieder-Klooster," and was later transferred to Wesel. [B-6-6]
Godfrey's brother Otto, greatly influenced, no doubt, by the noble example of his brother and sister, also determined to become a religious, and in his turn offered to Norbert his immense patrimony, the castles of Varlar and Ilbenstadt. Varlar was also in the diocese of Munster near Coesfeld. A colony of disciples came from Premontre, and Varlar was soon transformed into another Premonstratensian abbey, dedicated to the Mother of God. Four years later when Pope Honorius confirmed the Order, Varlar is spoken of as a very flourishing community. As to Ilmenstadt or Ilbenstadt, which had belonged to both Godfrey and Otto, it was also converted into an abbey. It was situated on the other side of the Rhine, about five miles from Frankfurt, in the diocese of Mainz. The Charter of Adalbert, Archbishop of Mainz, is of the year 1123, and gives the religious "living under the Rule of St. Augustine, and the institutions of our venerable brother Norbert," all powers and faculties for the exercise of the sacred ministry. Some years later Pope Innocent II, upon the request of the Archbishop, confided to the Premonstratensians the care of the souls of that whole province. [B-6-7]
While these new foundations were being established, God manifestly aided Norbert in the great work. Funds seem to have been forthcoming whenever needed, and the number of disciples continued to increase every day. Premontre had in reality become a training station, whither new recruits came to be drilled in monastic discipline and from which they were sent out to the new foundations as soon as they were imbued with the spirit of Norbert. In a word, things were going entirely in accordance with the fondest hopes of our Saint. No wonder, therefore, that we find Satan making violent efforts to obstruct the noble work. He soon found a powerful auxiliary in the Count of Arensberg, the father-in-law of Godfrey, who, when he heard of what he was pleased to call "the most foolish act of his son-in-law," became furious, and accused Godfrey of flagrant injustice to Jutta; for, he claimed that part of the estate of Cappenberg was her dowry and that she had been misled. Godfrey immediately went to him to adjust matters and explain everything, but the Count refused even to listen to him and decided to take by force what he claimed, though unjustly, to be his. In effect he came with a number of armed men to Cappenberg to frighten his son-in-law, but Godfrey faced him fearlessly, for he was convinced that what he had done, he had done solely for the love of God and the welfare of his soul, without violating the rights of anyone. He said to one of his former servants (thus we read in the Acta SS.):
"Perhaps his plan is to imprison me, but you can tell our father Norbert, that in case I am imprisoned, I pray him not to take any steps to procure my deliverance. Oh! if I could only be found worthy to die in prison for the love of God." [B-6-8]
But now many of his former servants, those who once loved him were turned against him, said openly that the Count had lost his head, and accused Norbert of being an impostor. These men had changed towards the young Count because, although they still had a sufficient income, they had largely been replaced by laybrothers, and from a worldly point of view the charge had not been to the advantage of even those that remained. Even the Bishop of Munster himself, though he was a great friend of the Count and a warm admirer of Norbert, advised Godfrey on the day he dedicated the new monastery, to change his plans for the sake of preserving peace. But Godfrey answered the Bishop as well as his servants by saying:
"What we have done, we have done acting on the inspiration of God, and as long as I live, not the world, but God will be served in this place. If you really loved me you would all be happy to see me following God's Holy Will and escaping from the dangers of the world. "
The Count of Arensberg refused to be reconciled, and said to all who cared to listen to him, that he was going to kill Norbert and hang his body from the wall of the castle. By the help of a certain Franco, he next decided to take his daughter, Jutta, by force from her cell; this he did, and led her away from Cappenberg. He had hidden her, but Godfrey sought for her night and day. The rumor was then spread that Godfrey had changed his mind; that he had driven away the canons and was now trying to find his wife and resume his worldly life. When, however, Godfrey showed the people how false was this rumor, and spoke to them of the injustice of this cruel act of the Count of Arensberg, they began to hate and despise the latter, and even dared speak of his cruelty to his own daughter.
At this time it happened that for some unknown reason Norbert was obliged to leave Cappenberg. [B-6-9] As soon as the Saint had left, Frederick began to change tactics in regard to his son-in-law, and tried to gain in a friendly way what he was unable to procure by force. He invited Godfrey to visit him in his castle, but notwithstanding his eloquent plea, Godfrey soon convinced him that it was all in vain. [B-6-10] This second failure infuriated him; he threatened Godfrey's life and finally decided to bring the whole matter before the Court of the Emperor. To this Godfrey gladly consented.
Be it observed that the Emperor Henry was now just at the most critical period of his life and overwhelmed with cares. Maurice Bourdin, the antipope and a creature of Henry, had been obliged to take refuge in the monastery of Cava. The Saxons were in revolt. The nobility was weary of his fruitless struggles with Rome, which had already lasted over fifty years. The absurdity of Investiture, the impropriety of a prelate receiving the ring and crozier from the hands of a layman had become apparent to everybody, and from all sides came petitions for peace.
It was at this moment that Norbert, who had returned to Westphalia, in company with Count Godfrey, went in person to the Emperor, who was holding his Court at Lotwissen. We must not forget that the Counts of Cappenberg had more than once taken sides against the Emperor, and were known to oppose his claims as to Investiture. Through the influence of Norbert, Henry, as he himself distinctly stated, [B-6-11] not only favored Godfrey against his father-in-law, but shortly after pardoned the recusancy of both Godfrey and Otto, and restored them to his favor. All this is stated in a public document.
Now, this favorable decision of an excommunicated Emperor, and his subsequent action in regard to the foundations of Godfrey and Otto, which he took under his imperial protection, are most remarkable and show unmistakably Norbert's influence over Henry at this critical period. Can anyone doubt that Henry and Norbert, his former chaplain, held serious converse on the state of the Empire, and that Norbert induced him to sign that long-looked-for declaration made at the Concordat of Worms in the month of September of this same year? This document reads:
"For the love of God, of the Holy Roman Church and of Pope Calixtus, as well as for the good of my soul, I renounce all claims to the right of Investiture by ring and crozier. I grant to all the churches within my Empire the freedom of canonical elections and consecrations. I promise peace with Pope Calixtus and the Holy Roman Church, and to give him aid whenever he may claim it." [B-6-12]
The end of the war of Investiture was hailed with great joy by all christendom. True, history has not linked the name of our humble Saint with that most important event, for no one can know exactly what passed between him and the emperor. But when we reflect that Norbert's whole life since the day of his conversion had been devoted to peace-making, that his influence over the hearts of the nobles and the great of his day was truly miraculous—moreover, that circumstances brought him at this time into the very presence of the Emperor, and that to his influence Henry is known to have yielded in regard to Godfrey and Otto—who could doubt that Norbert was a most powerful instrument in the hands of Almighty God to bring about this most momentous event?
Meanwhile, Frederic, Count of Arensberg, had died quite suddenly while assisting at a great banquet, and his death brought peace to the Abbey of Cappenberg. Godfrey soon received the white habit from the hands of Norbert, and became one of his most zealous disciples. His great humility especially was truly edifying. He ever refused to be reminded of his former greatness, and never allowed anyone to render him particular honor. "You make me feel sad," he often said, when reminded of what he had done for the Order, " I am the servant of all." It was his great delight to perform the most menial duties in the house. Many a time he went to the "Xenodochium" he himself had built, and there washed the feet of the poor sick people. Further, in the observance of the prescribed fast and in other mortifications, he was truly admirable and a continual source of edification.
Norbert's desire was to have him in the Abbey of Premontre. The Saint's desire meant a command for this son of obedience, and both he and his brother went to the mother abbey. Here, in the year 1125, Godfrey received minor orders. Norbert entertained the highest hopes for the future of this saintly disciple. Alas! these hopes were never to be realized, for Divine Providence had disposed otherwise. He who seemed most worthy to become a priest of the Most High, would never with his pure hands touch the Divine Victim. However, he had offered himself "a living host, holy and acceptable to the Lord. "
He had been but one year in the Abbey of Premontre, when Norbert, now Archbishop of Magdeburg, called his dear son to him. Godfrey hastened to obey, but felt out of place in the midst of the world. He soon begged Norbert to send him back again to the solitude of the cloister, "his paradise on earth," as he called it. Having received the Saint's blessing, he retired to the abbey of Ilbenstadt, and there became the victim of a mortal malady. His brother, Otto, as also the other religious, were all deeply grieved when from day to day his condition grew worse. He, on the contrary, seemed radiant with joy, and often said to the brethren: "But why, after all, did we take the habit of penance? Why did we mortify ourselves, if not to be sooner with our Savior?"
On the 13th day of January, 1127, when all the brethren stood weeping at his bedside, he said to his brother Otto: "I hear a voice repeating, 'Go before him’ . . . " A moment later he exclaimed: " Welcome, messengers of my Creator !" These were his last words. Angels came to bear his soul to eternal bliss. He was then only thirty years of age. [B-6-13]
His first foundation, Cappenberg, was soon considered the mother house of the German province, and in a few years comprised, besides the houses at Ilbenstadt and Varlar, Herfort, where Jutta became Abbess, Clarholz, Scheida, Wesel, Weddinghausen, Wirburg, Quellenburg and Bonlant. Otto became, in 1155, Provost of Cappenberg, and died there in the odor of sanctity, on the 27th of January, 1172.
<<Start of footnotes for Chapter B-6>>
[B-6-1]
Acta SS. T. II. Vita B. Godefridi," Ch. II, p. 129: Apparuit . . . exium quoddam jubar ecclesiae, memorabilia ille Dei praeco Norbertus . . .
[B-6-2]
Cfr. Madelaine, o. c., 231. A1so Tenffoff, p, 7.
[B-6-3]
Acta SS. VIta B. Godefridi, 1. c.
[B-6-4]
Ctr. Madelaine, o. c., p. 233,
[B-6-5]
Acta SS. T. II, p. 122-123. Also G. Vanden Elsen, o. e., p. 106, where he observes that on this same day the cornerstone was laid tor a new church.
[B-6-6]
Cfr. Madelaine, p. 234, who quotes Hugo Ann. Praem., T. II, col. 1067.
[B-6-7]
Ibidem, Hugo Annales Ord. Praem. Varlaria, col. 1047-1048 (T. II), and also T. I. Ilbenstadium superiis, p. 866.
[B-6-8]
Acta SS. Tom II. 13 Jan., p. 130.
[B-6-9]
VandenElsen, p. 108, says that Norbert probably had gone to Premontre to assist at the solemn dedication.
[B-6-10]
According to Madelaine this meeting took place on the feast of the Assumption, 1123, but it must have been the year before.
[B-6-11]
Hugo Ann. Praem. I. Prob. 372, supradicto sacerdote pro eis intercedente . . . Cfr. also Binterim and Von Steinen.
[B-6-12]
Cfr. Darras. Gen. History of the Church, Vol. III, p. 200.
[B-6-13]
The feast of Bleseed Godfrey is kept in the Order on Jan. 17th.
