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The History of St. Norbert
by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London
Coelitus illaesus, stricto licet ense petitus.
Pectora dat propria, non violanda, Gregi.
They exiled thee; vainly their darts were flung
Around thy tranquil soul . . .
One would be justified in thinking that after the storm described in the last chapter, the sky would have cleared for at least some time. Alas! the biographer informs us that on the very next day new attacks on the life of the Archbishop were planned. Complaining that they had been deluded, and saying that Norbert had escaped them by some secret magical power, his enemies thought of more effective means to rid themselves of the "reformer." Deep down in their hearts they fully realized that the Saint's uprightness and strength of character had caused the ill success of their plan, but this very thought embittered them all the more. As a consequence of all that had occurred, they could not deny that the Archbishop had gained instead of lost in the estimation of the people. However, one of the qualities of hatred is a certain tenacity with which it pursues its evil designs. Regardless of consequences, hatred strives hard in pursuit of its victim.
Norbert's enemies thus met on the very next day in secret. Incredible as it may seem to us, these men determined to do away with Norbert at all costs, resolving on the following plan, truly diabolical in its very conception. The day before the awful murder was to be committed, all bound themselves to take a large quantity of intoxicating drink in order to have the murder attributed to the effects of drunkenness. Furthermore, it was agreed that any one of them who should break this agreement was to have his property confiscated. [C-4-1]
Accidentally the plan came to the ears of some of Norbert's friends. These at once went to the Saint to warn him of the new danger that threatened his life, and to urge him to leave the city for some time. But the Saint sternly refused. First of all he could not believe how a man could be capable of doing such a foul act; and, secondly, if things actually proved to be thus, the Saint told them that he joyfully anticipated the hour when he should receive the crown of martyrdom in the episcopal city. He continued to perform undisturbed his daily duties and tried to enforce the laws of reform, seemingly unaware of any plot against his life.
Finally came the day agreed upon by the conspirators. As if acting upon a given signal, an excited crowd rushed into the streets of Magdeburg with wild cries and shouts, more in the manner of savages than Christian people, and made their way towards the Provostry of St. Mary, where they knew they would find Norbert at that hour. The magistrates, however, having undoubtedly been forewarned, were awaiting them, and succeeded in quelling the first riot. The crowd was driven back, but alas! Only to return immediately with reenforcements, so that the magistrates were unable to keep the people in check. As-on the former occasion, savage cries were heard: "Death to Norbert!"—"Kill him ! "
While this wild crowd was trying to gain entrance into the Provostry, the Saint was quietly occupied, and upon hearing the great noise inquired what it meant. He was then told that the worst had come to pass, and that outside the monastery there was a large crowd looking for his life, and fully determined to drive the religious away from the monastery. When this was told to Norbert, the Saint answered smilingly:
"They will never succeed, for that which has been planted by the hand of God cannot be destroyed by the hand of man."
Full of confidence in God's Providence, he wished quietly to continue the work in which at the moment he was engaged, but the magistrates themselves and all Norbert's friends and children begged him to spare himself for the welfare of his diocese and his Order. At last the Saint consented, and, truly sad at heart, fled from Magdeburg. When he saw the furious mob assembled before the gates of the Provostry, he shed tears of compassion for his poor deluded people, and offered a short but fervent prayer to ask the Holy Spirit to guide him in the direction of these precious but misguided souls.
He first came to the Abbey of St. John the Baptist, the Benedictine abbey at Bergen, where he was most cordially received by his friend, Abbot Arnold. However, he did not remain here very long. After making arrangements in regard to the most pressing matters concerning the administration of his diocese under present conditions, he did not want to expose the religious of Bergen to the attacks of an excited populace, and departed from here for his episcopal castle of Gevekenstein, near Halle. In this place the poor Archbishop had thought to retire and find at least a few days of rest and solitude, in which he could ask God for strength, and find consolation in prayer. However, his enemies had foreseen this plan, so well did they know the Saint, and thus before he arrived the whole place had been surrounded by his enemies. How bitter and hard it must have been for the saintly Archbishop to find himself thus treated by his own children. But Norbert, like the royal Prophet, who while being hunted down by his unnatural son Absalom, suffered the persecution with meekness, went from the castle to the Augustinian monastery of Petersberg, situated on a high mountain. [C-4-2] Here the Saint was received with due respect and honor by the Provost, who was most happy to assist his exiled Archbishop.
The Saint's next act was to take counsel with his friends in regard to the best way of proceeding under the circumstances. Many hours did he spend here before the Blessed Sacrament at the feet of the Master asking for guidance from on high. But his negotiations to restore order by peaceful means to the people of Magdeburg were all in vain. At last then his resolution was taken, and from his place of retreat the Archbishop pronounced the excommunication over all those who should persevere in their opposition to his episcopal authority. Truly may we believe that the Saint had been forced to take this extreme measure, and only adopted it when all other means, inspired by kindness and goodness, had been exhausted. As the biographer observes, Norbert's fatherly admonitions had only added fuel to the burning rage of his enemies, and thus had it become necessary to try to win by severity what could not be won by kindness.
Having pronounced the excommunication, the Saint’s heart seemed at rest; and finding another "premontre" in the monastery of these Augustinians, considered his exile a real blessing. Says Hugo:
"Being used to the daily exercises of the monastic life, he was most happy to be able to join his voice in choir with those of his hospitable friends, and he distinguished himself from the other monks only by the severity of his penances and his piety."
How fervently must the Saint have prayed during these days especially, and asked God’s pardon for the sins of his people. Like another St. Paul, he offered himself to God for their salvation. And see! The All-Good Father graciously heard his prayer and caused a sincere repentance among the people of Magdeburg.
With Norbert’s excommunication it seemed as though a curse had fallen upon the city. Sober reasoning had by this time replaced their wild passion, and the people had now felt a great loss in the absence of their Archbishop. They sincerely regretted their hasty actions, and, wonderful to relate, this time even the instigators themselves admitted their guilt and were deeply ashamed of their diabolical deeds. Once the people realized how strangely they had allowed themselves to be misled, they called a public meeting in the center of the city, and here resolved to send some of the most prominent citizens as their deputies to the abbey of Petersburg to entreat the Archbishop to forgive them and to return to his flock.
We can easily imagine how great Norbert's joy must have been at this happy turn of affairs. The good Archbishop received the deputies with the love of a father, who after a long separation, sees his beloved children once more. He most gladly forgave them all. And when they further offered him a sum of money as a compensation for all he had suffered, Norbert sternly refused, saying that his only compensation would be their sincere repentance. [C-4-3] However, in regard to his poor servant who had been wounded during the first riot, and whose house had been pillaged and pulled down, for him Norbert insisted on full reparation for all the loss and injuries this poor man had suffered. Norbert then withdrew the excommunication which for six weeks had rested upon the city. [C-4-4]
The deputies gladly promised to make the restitution Norbert desired, and hastened back to Magdeburg where their message caused general rejoicing. They at once gave orders to have the house of the wounded servant rebuilt, and further gave him forty silver marks in reparation for what he had suffered.
To try their fidelity and sincerity, Norbert postponed his return for two more weeks. When the people heard this, they at first were disappointed; soon, however, they came together and discussed plans suitable to make due reparation to their good Archbishop for all the injuries he had endured. The whole city now was anxious to make amends, and thus it was decided by all to go to meet Norbert and lead him in triumph back to the city, whence only a few weeks before he had been forced to flee as an exile.
According to Madelaine, [C-4-5] they first escorted him to the episcopal castle at Gevekenstein where Norbert had been refused admittance shortly before, and from thence they brought him to Magdeburg. It was in the latter part of the month of October when Norbert was led in triumph back into the city amidst universal rejoicings. He was surrounded by nobles, and thousands of people proclaimed him as their great and saintly Archbishop. [C-4-6] Although but few particulars of this grand reception have come down to us, Norbert's address on this memorable occasion has happily been preserved by history. Upon his arrival the Saint at once entered the Cathedral, which was but a few weeks before the scene of so many indignities; and when Norbert saw himself followed by his people, he mounted the pulpit and spoke:
"My dear brethren, it was with great sadness that I left you, but through the mercy of God it is with exceedingly great joy that I return and appear in the midst of you. The enemy of peace who finds his delight in sowing discord and hatred in the world, has been the cause of this cruel separation. Having laid the foundation of his empire by division, this obstinate hater tries to perpetuate it by discord, in order that by separating the flock from its pastor, the sheep may wander at the voice of a mercenary, and be thrown into the abyss. Such have always been the tactics of this eternal enemy of souls; such also is the source of the misunderstanding now so happily ended. Jealous of the unity between us, Satan has been the cause of this division, by which he has tried to overthrow the good understanding between the pastor and his people, and to destroy that peace which is as necessary for the common happiness of the public as it is for the salvation of the flock and the ministry of the pastor. Almost overcome by the tempest, I could not calm it by my prayers, so I was obliged to turn away from it to go elsewhere. But, thanks be to God! Jesus Christ, Who seemed asleep when the tempest was raging, has now granted our prayers. He has commanded the winds and the sea, and there is again a great calm. The peace which the evil spirit had taken away from us has been restored by the God of peace.
"My dear brethren, have an ardent love for this peace; seek it incessantly and guard it diligently. Let our hearts remain united in the bonds of charity. As we read of the first Christians, let there be but one heart and one soul amongst us, and let us work together in the union of this charity. Fear not, my dear children, that what you have done has ill disposed your pastor toward you. It is true, you have wronged not me, but that sublime priestly character with which God has honored me, but I hope from the mercy of Him who knows how to pardon that your tears of sorrow have already effaced the fault you have committed.
"Let us therefore now pray to the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation to preserve this peace amongst us, which though we have not merited, we intend to merit from now on. Let us endeavor by our good works to make reparation for our sins. Let us insure our calling in order that God may be glorified by us all forever and ever. Amen." [C-4-7]
This forgiving and touching address of the Archbishop on this memorable occasion caused many tears to flow. More than ever did the people realize what a holy and zealous Archbishop they had in Norbert, and from that day they became so firmly attached to him that no calumnies, whatever their source, could separate again the flock from its pastor. Thus was the word of the Apostle verified that "all things work to the good of those who love God." And when the Saint solemnly intoned the "Te Deum," observes Dr. Winter, he not only celebrated his own victory, but also the victory of the brethren of St. Mary's. Since their coming to Magdeburg they had been calumniated and persecuted; they had come with the approbation of the Pope and the King, but until now, their foundation had not been canonically confirmed by the Archbishop. This event, however, truly crowned Norbert's successful undertakings. [C-4-8]
From the very day of Norbert's return to his episcopal city, no people could show themselves more submissive than his. And the early biographer relates that from that day on, Norbert was most successfully engaged in the work of the sacred ministry. He then continues that Norbert was an angel at the altar, a true father in the confessional, another St. John the Baptist in his daily life. A true apostle of peace, his great aim was to establish peace between man and God, as well as between man and his neighbor. He was severe on heretics and schismatics, in fact, on all those who sought to disturb the peace of the Church. He was a father to the orphan and he comforted the heart of the widow. In a word, Norbert "broke the jaws of the wicked man, (oppressors "of orphans and widows) and plucked the spoil out of his teeth." (Job: XXIX.). He was always cheerful and most affable to all alike. Assiduous in upholding the doctrines of the Church, he was a no less zealous advocate of her discipline. For this reason he made his regular visitations in his diocese, reforming abuses wherever he found them, without respect for persons. A holy and zealous priest, he was also the pattern of bishops. [C-4-9]
During this period of successful administration of the diocese, the Saint by no means neglected to look after the welfare of his Order, and several new foundations were made at this time. There was a monastery at Poelde, in the Duchy of Gruebenhagen, morally and financially in a pitiful condition. Norbert introduced there his own brethren, and their coming was the beginning of fervor and prosperity. [C-4-10] About this time was founded the abbey "Gottesgnade" through the generosity of Otto, Count of Reveningen and Crudorp.
The Count himself renounced the world and made his religious profession in the Cathedral of Magdeburg, where Norbert had given him the white habit. In the chronicles of this abbey, published by Dr. Winter, we read that the first provost of this community was Emelrick, whom Norbert had brought with him from France, and who later became a bishop in the East. For the clerics and laymen who formed this community, Norbert prescribed the regular statutes in conformity with the Rule of St. Augustine, "but," continues the author, "he allowed them, as he had also done in Magdeburg, to wear black capes over their surplice, and to cover their habits with mantles; he gave them the Breviary and the Gradual of the Cathedral of Magdeburg and of secular canons, which he himself had learned and followed formerly at Xanten. [C-4-11]
Thus did God draw good from evil, both for the Saint's diocese and for his Order, and Norbert was fast approaching the attainment of his ideal, namely, to bring reform in the Church of Christ.
<<Start of Footnotes for Chapter C-4>>
[C-4-1]
Vita B, Ch. L -- Vita A, Ch. XIX. "De ebrietate Parthenopolitanorum." Both biographies give all the details of this diabolical plan.
[C-4-2]
Hugo "Vie de saint Norbert," p. 296. According to Winter, p. 42, and Herstel, p. 81, Norbert went to the monastery of Neuwerk.
[C-4-3]
Vita B., L. Plus animas Deo quaerere venerat quam pecunias . . .
[C-4-4]
Acta SS. T. XX. Chron. Magdeb. Post sex hebdomadas . . . absolvit . . .
[C-4-5]
Madelaine op. cit. p. 402.
[C-4-6]
Vita B, Ch. LI.
[C-4-7]
Hugo, "Vie de Saint Norbert," p. 299. Hugo has taken this discourse from a MSS. containing fragments of the life of St. Norbert.
[C-4-8]
Cfr. Winter, op. cit., Ch. I. Madelaine observes, on p. 404, that all the early MSS. agree as to the year in which these events occurred, being the third year of Norbert's episcopate. Only Vander Sterre says that it occurred in the fifth year; and the Bollandists, following his opinion, describe the above related scene as having taken place after the Council of Rheims (1131). This, for different reasons, seeme very improbable.
[C-4-9]
Cfr. Vita B, Ch. LII.
[C-4-10]
Acta SS. T. XX., p. 52. Also Hugo Annal. Ord. Praem. II. Col. 575. Poeldia.
[C-4-11]
Winter "Chronic. Gratiae-Dei," pp. 329-332.
