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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Vix Canonum Sacra jura Foves, Fervensque tueris,
Mox Enses, Hasta effera turba movet.
Stas tamen Impavidus; turbaeque, Hostesque recedunt,
In Sacra jus gladii nilque valere docent.
Great Pastor! Model of thy Flock! Thy mind,
Fixed on eternal interests, entwined
Round God's unchanging Church, thy constant care;
They struck thee with the sword . . .
(Office of St. Norbert)
Although Norbert's success in bringing about reforms in his diocese and in recovering the patrimony of the Church won the love and admiration of many, as we observed above, it also was the cause of embittering his opponents. Who has ever ventured to attack inveterate abuses without meeting desperate opposition? Calumny and persecution have invariably been the portion of all those who would follow the Crucified Redeemer. "Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice's sake. "
Since Norbert's brethren from Premontre had come into the city, and his enemies, to use their own words, had to deal no longer with one reformer but with many, they no longer were satisfied with abusing their Archbishop in words, but, blinded by passion, they actually made an attempt on his life. Satan incited some wicked laymen and dissolute priests to conspire against the energetic Archbishop and kill him. A plot was formed in Magdeburg and the soul of it was the archdeacon, Atticus, also known in history under the name of Hatseco or Jetzo. This cleric, who by his position exercised great influence throughout the diocese, bore Norbert a mortal hatred, and showed himself until the end, Norbert's most bitter enemy. [C-3-1]
On this occasion he and some of his colleagues, fearing to act openly, bribed a low individual to murder Norbert. The plan was attempted on April 12, 1129. We read in the original biography of the Saint, that on the 10th of April, the Archbishop was still twenty miles away from Magdeburg, at Goslar, where on that day he, with King Lothair, signed in the old castle at Kaiserburg, a solemn Charter for the erection of a Sisters' convent at Altena or Elten. Immediately after, he returned home in great haste to be able to celebrate the Divine Services of Holy Week in his Cathedral. [C-3-2]
When on Thursday the Saint was hearing confessions, and people came in large numbers imploring God's pardon of their sins, there was seen among the penitents a young man, dressed in a long cloak, who asked to be immediately admitted into the presence of the Archbishop to make his confession. The porter announced the young man but the Saint answered, not to let him enter. The young man urged once more his request, and the Saint obliged him to wait in the episcopal palace until the crowd had been heard. [C-3-3]
Evidently God had revealed to His servant the conspiracy, for when at last the Saint was near the false penitent, he cried from afar: "In the name of God I command you to remain where you are and not approach your Archbishop." The young man appeared greatly astonished, but Norbert without asking any further questions told his attendant to take off the man's cloak. Behold a large knife, which the man was trying to conceal! The Saint asked him why he had come thus armed. Trembling and dazed, the wretch fell at once on his knees and began to implore for mercy, candidly confessing that he had been bribed by someone to take Norbert's life, giving the names of the instigators of the whole plot. [C-3-4] To the great horror and astonishment of all present, it was then discovered that Atticus, the Archbishop's archdeacon, was the leader of the conspirators. Like another Judas, he had actually sold the life of his master, and an act of religion and piety was to cover his crime. Great was the indignation of all present, and the name of Hazeko was repeated by all as a synonym for Judas. Norbert himself, however, remaining calm and resigned, said to those around him:
"Why are you surprised? Must I be more privileged than Jesus Christ, my Master, Who on this very night was delivered over to His enemies by one of his twelve apostles? How great would be my happiness if on the day and at the hour He expired for us, I could die for Him by the hands of those whom I counted among my friends! The day on which pardon was offered to sinners, mercy to those without hope, and life to the dead, that day would truly be a great day to die! By preventing my death you have only prolonged my trial; you have increased my work and postponed my rest. Regarding these instigators, they were my friends and will remain my friends. Besides, today is no day for vengeance, but for mercy. It behooves us to imitate our Leader, Jesus Christ, Who has said: 'Do good to those who hate you; pray for those who persecute and calumniate you.' And further: 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' " [C-3-5]
These words and beautiful sentiments reveal clearly the soul of the hero and the saint, and justly might we think to find Norbert's enemies at his feet imploring his pardon. At least we should expect to see them deeply touched by the Saint's readiness to forgive, but, strange contradiction! Norbert's great kindness produced only the very opposite effect, and actually contributed to harden the hearts of the conspirators and confirm them in their diabolical design against the life of our Saint.
A very bold plan was now decided on, and one of the clerics of the household of the Archbishop had taken the execution upon himself. It was the Saint's custom, whenever he was able, to go with his Canons to the church at the silent hour of midnight to take part in the singing of the Divine Office. His usual place, on account of his dignity, was to walk last in the procession. The bold assassin knew this; and, having hidden himself in one of the dark passages, had decided to stab the last person. Amidst the tumult and consternation that would follow, and aided by the darkness of the midnight hour, he thought to escape safely.
Now on the very night chosen it happened, for some unexplainable reason, that the Saint instead of walking the last, was in the midst of his Canons, when they were going into the church, and thus the assassin stabbed the chaplain of the Archbishop instead of Norbert. With a loud cry: "I am killed!" the cleric fell at once to the ground, and all the brethren, shocked and amazed, ran to his assistance. By the sound of the voice the assassin perceived his mistake, but ran away. The Canons pursued him, but Norbert, grasping at once the situation, and realizing that his own life had been threatened, recalled them and said:
"Let him go in peace and let us not render evil for evil. My hour is not yet come. Let us wait till it please the Lord to take me. Those who have armed this man do not rest, and have sworn my death. However, they will only succeed in showing forth God's all-guiding Providence, Who wants to make use of me to do His work." [C-3-6]
This was all the vengeance which Norbert's charity, so much stronger than the hatred of his enemies, allowed him to take. None of the biographers mention a single word from which could be inferred that the assassin had even been pursued or punished. On the other hand, we read that Norbert continued his work with the same fearlessness, at all times enforcing the laws of the Church. However great was his charity, his courage in the midst oŁ these trials is no less remarkable. Neither calumny nor violence could make him forsake even for a single day, the duties of his sacred ministry. One of Norbert's sayings, which he never tired of repeating, was: "Calumny is the test of a patient and generous heart, which bears with it rather than give up working for God." Or again: "He who has God on his side is troubled at nothing." And, relying on these principles, Norbert fearlessly continued excommunicating incorrigible clerics and laymen, and insisting on the temporal rights of his Church.
On the 13th of June, 1129, we find the Saint once more at Goslar, present at the Diet where he was occupied with matters of Church and State. Here he remained some time and returned to Magdeburg in time to celebrate the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. During this absence dark clouds of opposition had thickened and gathered, threatening a severe storm on the least provocation.
As the reader remembers, the introduction of the Premonstratensians into St. Mary's Chapter at Magdeburg was one of the Archbishop's greatest crimes, in the eyes of his enemies. As a matter of fact, the presence of these zealous men had been a continual source of reproach to them, and their constant good example had reminded them of their own duty in a more convincing and powerful manner than even the words of Norbert. Again we may rightly suppose that Norbert naturally favored these brethren since they were truly apostolic men, who worked day and night for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. This had caused feelings of jealousy. Furthermore, the marked preference of Norbert for his confreres had not only irritated the clerics but had given rise to a rumor that the Archbishop was but waiting for an opportunity to introduce his sons into the Cathedral. This suspicion they thought confirmed when Norbert upon his return from Goslar, announced that, since the Cathedral during his absence had been desecrated, it was going to be reconsecrated.
Madelaine observes that neither the two early biographers nor the chroniclers of Magdeburg designate the crime by which it was desecrated. However, the fact of the desecration is beyond the shadow of a doubt, for it is mentioned by all historians. It seems as if, through a feeling of shame, they did not want to specify the nature of the crime by which the house of God had been profaned. At any rate, the Archbishop was bound by the laws of the Church to purify the temple, and so he made his intention known to the assembled Chapter. [C-3-7]
At this meeting some of the Canons, instigated by the archdeacon Atticus, objected. They would not hear of having the ceremony performed; unless, first, they knew the names of the guilty parties; and, secondly, the name of him who had made the Archbishop acquainted with the fact. This condition the Saint boldly refused to comply with, adding that he would not celebrate the Holy Sacrifice in the Cathedral as long as it remained in its state of profanation. Meanwhile, Atticus and his friends had spread the rumor among the people that the profanation of the Cathedral could not be proved, and that the Archbishop had some other object in view in this reconsecration. They wanted to submit the case to a synod before which the guilty party was to be cited to prove the crime. This opposition, says Dr. Winter, is unexplainable, if the canons had not thought to see another intention in this reconsecration; that is, a formal transfer of the Cathedral to the Premonstratensians. Atticus further insinuated to the people that Norbert's object was to take away from the Cathedral the precious relics and give them to Premonstratensian churches. [C-3-8]
But when there was question of God's honor, Norbert was not the man to fear opposition. From the pulpit of the Cathedral he therefore announced to the people of Magdeburg his firm intention of reconsecrating the Cathedral and explained the reasons that forced him to perform this ceremony commanded by the laws of the Church. But the poor people, deluded by Atticus and his followers, shouted their disapproval. This happened on the feastday of Sts. Peter and Paul. Since the Archbishop had failed to celebrate on this great day solemnly in the Cathedral, as was his wont, the people were angered and excited. Atticus tried by different means to goad the anger of the people, and he fairly shouted out to them that the only cause of this great disturbance were Norbert and his new Canons. The next day was a Sunday. No Mass on that day in the Cathedral might have serious consequences, reasoned the Saint. Consequently, Norbert took counsel with his suffragan bishops, for unless the Church were reconsecrated the archbishop would not allow the Holy Sacrifice to be celebrated. The result was that the Saint resolved to perform the ceremony privately, and purify the Cathedral during the stillness of the night.
Anselm, Bishop of Havelberg; Godebold, Bishop of Meissen; Provost Frederic, some of the good canons of the Cathedral and a few of Norbert's brethren entered the church during the night of the 29-30th of June, to assist their Archbishop in the sacred function. [C-3-9] Attired in their pontifical vestments, these holy prelates were performing the sacred ceremonies in the stillness of the night, when all of a sudden wild cries rend the air, the doors are being battered down, and all the people are gathered around the church, shouting for the life of Norbert. The reader, no doubt, fully understands what has happened.
As soon as the Saint and his assistants had begun the ceremony, Atticus and his satellites had roused the inhabitants and spread the rumor that Norbert and his Frenchmen had taken possession of the Cathedral. They further added that now they were breaking down the altars, ransacking the shrines, and that they intended to remove all the treasures they could lay hands on, especially the relics. [C-3-10] They of course knew that at this time nothing would irritate the poor deluded people more than the danger of losing their precious relics. Neither were they in this mistaken. The rage of the people knew no bounds. Besides, to add to the great excitement and the general commotion, Atticus ordered someone to ring the big bell of the Cathedral, and in a moment's time a most excited and turbulent mob surrounded the church, shouting: "Our relics are being stolen!" Though these wild cries frightened those who were assisting the Archbishop, Norbert remained calm and without any sign of fear. He advanced towards the door and would have gone out to the crowd in order to pacify the excited people if he had not been prevented by the assisting bishops and priests. The latter forced the Saint to go with them and seek a place of safety in the old tower built, in the time of Otto I, like a great fortress. [C-3-11]
Here the bishops and the canons, all still wearing their sacred vestments, sang at this midnight hour the Matins of St. Paul, whose feast was being celebrated on that day. Thus the Saint in company with his friends passed that memorable night, a prisoner in his own cathedral. How appropriate under these circumstances must have been the Office of the Apostle of the Gentiles! The biographer says that the Saint and his companions found abundant strength in the recital of this particular Office, since by it they were most vividly reminded of the many times that St. Paul himself had been made a prisoner for having upheld the cause of his Divine Master.
Truly a most admirable contrast which has not escaped the different biographers: In the street, wild shouts and cries are rending the air—a maddened mob is clamoring for the life of their archbishop; high in the tower, solemn and grave voices are chanting the praises of the Lord, and celebrating the heroic virtues of the great Apostle! Strengthening and consoling one another, these saintly men thus awaited the end of the tumult. Yet a few of them murmured and lost courage, saying: "Why did we follow this man? We are going to perish with him." But like the great Apostle, Norbert also tried to console them and spoke to them words of courage and Christian resignation. He said:
"My dearest brethren, fear not; it is for God's cause that we suffer. That which is happening now is permitted by His Providence. When a good work is opposed by an enemy, it is God Who permits him to oppose it. Take courage and trust in God."
Norbert continued thus to exhort them the more touchingly, and prayed the more fervently as some showed signs of failing. As the Saint himself afterwards remarked, he was less afraid of death for himself, than he was troubled at the thought that some might lose heart and fail.
The captivity lasted from midnight until late in the day, while the hostile crowd was swelling continually and shouting wildly. When some, says the biographer, heard the Saint's voice chanting the Divine praises louder than the others, it seems as if Satan actually took possession of the mob. Cries were heard for the Archbishop's life. "Kill him," they shouted; "die he must!" Truly a vivid picture of the manner in which the Savior Himself had been condemned; and the poor people, like the Jews of old, were made the tools of unscrupulous leaders. At last, when the day was far advanced, some succeeded in scaling the tower, and forced an entrance to where the Saint and his companions were. Like a furious mob, so entirely unlike their real selves, they rushed into the place with drawn swords, shouting for Norbert's blood. However, the Saint had no sooner seen them enter than he advanced to meet them. He said:
"You seek but one person, behold, here I am. Spare those who are with me for they do not deserve death.'' [C-3-12]
And, marvelous to relate, when Norbert, who still wore his pontifical vestments, pronounced these words with that perfect calm and dignity worthy of an Archbishop, the invaders stood as if nailed to the ground.
The next instant one simple look of their fearless Archbishop threw them down on their knees; overwhelmed with fear and trembling, they begged his pardon. What is more, the sight of their saintly Archbishop had so completely changed them that these very men protected Norbert against the attacks of other assailants, who by this time were entering the place, and so from being his greatest enemies they at once became his actual protectors.
Norberto insidians latro, sed proditus, Ipsum
Patronum causae gaudet habere suae.
While these things were taking place within the tower, a number of those without, thinking that by this time the Archbishop had been killed, now rushed into the room to finish their diabolical plot, and it happened that at this moment one of Norbert's servants was struck; he fell to the ground mortally wounded. The Saint, seeing this, hastened at once to the side of his dying servant, and when some of his friends wanted to restrain him he said: "No; it will never be said that one of mine has fallen while I was still alive." The man who had struck the servant now seeing the Archbishop alive before him, became mad with rage, raised his blooddripping sword and struck Norbert on the shoulder. The sword, however, rebounded and did not inflict a wound. But as the sword was still wet with blood, some fell on Norbert's mitre, and this blood stain remained thereon until his death.
Meanwhile the Archbishop’s clerical enemies had come together in the Cathedral and deliberated among themselves as to how to exploit the present riot to their advantage. To take away all suspicion from themselves, they now took the relics, which they found, of course, intact, and went out to show them to the people. They tried to calm the multitude, saying how shameful it was for the flock to attack their pastor. But they did this not without a reason. For after causing the disturbance, these leaders now came out feigning to be adverse to the use of any violent means, and even showed a false sympathy for their persecuted Archbishop. What, then, was their object?
They spoke to the people of the greatness of their Archbishop, and at the same time tried to make Norbert and his people believe that it was not his person that had caused the riot, but the presence of these Frenchmen in the city. They further urged Norbert in the presence of this large concourse of people to promise on the relics of the Saints that he would at once remove his religious from the Chapter of St. Mary. The Saint, hearing this request, became indignant; and, though he was apparently surrounded by his bitterest enemies, and actually in danger of being killed, he answered frankly that he did not think it just or right to "buy the peace of man by destroying the work of God." His brethren had been placed in charge of St. Mary's for the welfare of religion, with the full consent of both the Pope and the King, and therefore he not only declined to remove them now, but declared that he would never remove them. [C-3-18]
In the meantime Henry, the head magistrate of Magdeburg, who had been absent from the city, had returned; and, hearing what had occurred, came hurriedly upon the scene and ordered the crowd to disperse peacefully. He added that whatever grievances they had, they were at liberty to come to make them known to him. The coming of the magistrate at this particular moment may well be regarded as truly providential. Had it not been for his timely arrival, the Saint's positive refusal to dismiss his canons from the city would undoubtedly have caused a new outbreak. However, as it was, calm was restored. [C-3-14]
Norbert returned with his colleagues to the Cathedral, and, full of joy, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving to God for his protection. Before beginning the Holy Sacrifice, he thus addressed from the foot of the altar those present:
"Behold what I have been falsely accused of having broken and removed! They are still here whole and entire in the same place where they were before. Judge for yourselves if I am guilty of the sacrilege of which they have accused me. He then began his Mass, and was obliged to read the Epistle and the Gospel himself, because his ministers—thus we read in the Chronicles—had retired, being fatigued and still very much frightened. When the Mass was over Norbert returned to his palace, rejoicing that he had been found worthy to suffer for the sake of justice, and that God had visibly protected him in his tribulations." [C-3-15]
<<Start of footnotes for Chapter C-3>>
[C-3-1]
Winter "Die Premonstratenser . . ." Ch. I.
[C-3-2]
Vita B, Ch. XLVI.
[C-3-3]
Ibidem. Also Tenckoff, p. 12-32.
[C-3-4]
Vita B, Ch. XLVI. "Proditionis hujus rei inventi sunt qui . . .
[C-3-5]
Ibidem. "Isti erant et sunt amici . . ."
[C-3-6]
Vita B, Ch. XLVII.
[C-3-7]
Cfr. Madelaine, p. 394, who further quotes Vita B, Ch. XLIX: "Quoddam infortunium" . . Vita A, Ch. XIX, "Contigit in ecclesia majori rerum quippiam." Chron. Magdeb. No. 6. Nefando crimine violata - Cfr., also Acta SS. T. XX. p. 52.
[C-3-8]
Cfr. VandenElsen, op. cit., p. 258.
[C-3-9]
Chron. Magd. (Acta SS. T. XX)
[C-3-10]
Madelaine, on p. 395, enumerates different contemporary writers who all agree in stating that the people were actually misled by this ridiculous calumny. He moreover quotes Vita B, Ch. XLIX, where it says, Quod fregisset episcopus altaria . . . cum omni etiam thesauro ecclesiae fugere disposuisset.
[C-3-11]
Vita A, Ch. XIX, also Chron. Magdeb. No. 6.
[C-3-12]
Vita A, Ch. XIX.
[C-3-13]
Vita B, Ch. XLIX. Vita A, Ch. XIX.
[C-3-14]
Acta SS. T. XX. Chronic. Magdeb. No. 6.
[C-3-15]
Vita A, Ch. XIX.
