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A Spiritual Directory of the Order of Prémontré Theodore J St. Norbert College Digital Commons @ St. Norbert College Premonstratensian Research Center for Norbertine Studies 9-2017 A Spiritual Directory of the Order of Prémontré Theodore J. Antry, O.Praem Translator Emmanuel Gisquière, O.Praem Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/premonstratensian_research Part of the Christianity Commons, and the History of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Antry, O.Praem, Theodore J. Translator and Gisquière, O.Praem, Emmanuel, "A Spiritual Directory of the Order of Prémontré" (2017). Premonstratensian Research. 2. https://digitalcommons.snc.edu/premonstratensian_research/2 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Center for Norbertine Studies at Digital Commons @ St. Norbert College. It has been accepted for inclusion in Premonstratensian Research by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ St. Norbert College. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A SPIRITUAL DIRECTORY OF THE ORDER OF PRÉMONTRÉ INTRODUCTORY LETTER of the Illustrious and Most Reverend Monsignor Hubert Noots, S. T. D. Abbot General of the Order of Prémontré The General Chapter of 1937 (4th session) had expressed the desire that renewed Statutes be drafted in a clear and concise style from which should be extracted all that deals with the Book of Ceremonies and ascetical theology, which have no direct relationship with the prescriptions of the Statutes. Subsequently, in the first session of the General Chapter of 1947, it is said that, in keeping with the norms of the preceding General Chapter, “all that deals with the ascetical and spiritual in the text proposed to the Chapter, has been removed; nevertheless material of this sort will be gathered together, even amplified, in a book entitled ‘The Spiritual Directory’, in such a manner that it would be useful for providing unity in the formation of novices and professed juniors in our Order. At the meeting of the Definitors on November 23, 1948, it was announced that the publication of a “Spiritual Directory of the Order” is a work of the greatest importance, and all members of the Definitory agreed that, in accordance with what was expressed at the last General Chapter, the work should include: 1. the spiritual admonitions formerly contained in the Statutes with respect to exercises of piety, and also the qualifications which the officials of the Order ought to have; -- 2. an explanation of the spiritual doctrine of our Order as it is found in all the documents that we possess since the beginning of our Order; -- 3. a method of conducting the novitiate and forming the novices in the spiritual and regular life; -- 4. the norms which the Novice Master or Prefect of Clerics ought to follow; -- 5. instructions about ministry and the care of souls in our Order; -- 6. and whatever else which may be useful in a book of this kind. It is clear from the above that this work is not meant to be a complete exposition of Christian spirituality but one which would show what is proper to the religious life in general, and to Norbertine life in particular. We were happy to entrust the drafting of this book to the Most Rev. Emmanuel Gisquière, Abbot of Averbode, who could choose all necessary staff and useful collaborators to assist him in his task. The issue of working on a “Spiritual Directory of the Order” was brought up again at the meeting of the Definitors on September 28, 1949, specifically under the leadership of the aforementioned Abbot of Averbode and his assistants. It was decided “that a plan would be drawn up and submitted for review to the Abbots of the various Circaries who could make their observations. Then the Directory in its final form would be subject to the approval of the Abbot General of the Order of Prémontré.” Finally, in the third session of the meeting of the Definitors of the Order held on November 26, 1958 the Most Reverend Father Abbot of Averbode announced that he had finally finished the composition of the Spiritual Directory of the Order of Prémontré which he had been commissioned to 1 write, and that he had considered all the observations that were directed to him after he had sent a first draft to the Abbots of the Order. The Definitory very cordially congratulated Abbot Gisquière and expressed their thanks for this long and difficult labor, accomplished with such zealous results and decided to entrust the book for printing to the press of the Abbey of Averbode. No one will doubt the great importance of this work, especially in these troubled times, for it shows us the safe roads we must follow if we wish to preserve the true spirit of Norbertine life in the observances of our religious vocation. These observances have already been placed in danger by some thoughtless imprudent innovators and have already been denounced by our Holy Father Pope Pius XII, of happy memory, in his speech addressed to Superiors General on February 11, 1958. In this address, the Pope expressed how important it is that the Superiors General exercise their governing authority according to their own approved rules and that of the Church so that the example of their life rather than their speech allows the splendor of the Gospel to shine forth. Thus the Pope intended in a few words to define how superiors were to lead their subjects. It is their task to take a firm and strong hand if it is necessary, clearly expressed in order to lead their subjects on the safe path of truth, without deviating from one side or the other, and without losing sight of the beginnings of their religious life in the spirit and the rules of each Institute. As in matters of faith, so also in matters of religious perfection and regular observance, superiors should draw the norms of their Statutes of perfection not from what the majority may think, nor from those who reject the rules and observances of the past for that which is more recent and which seems more consonant with the ways of the world. Rather they should draw on the pure and well balanced source of doctrine which was given to us by the founders and long sanctioned by the Church. Nor should they be drawn away from them by these recent novelties. We are pleased to present this Codex or "Spiritual Directory” to all the sons and daughters of our Holy Father St. Norbert, urging them to receive it joyfully and read it frequently. Superiors and subjects both will find in it a safe guide and a valuable advisor to live their own Norbertine life, together with salutary advice. Given at Rome, February 10, 1959 on the feast of Blessed Hugh, first Abbot of Prémontré. + Hubert NOOTS, Abbot General of the order of Prémontré. 2 PRELIMINARY CHAPTER ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE ORDER’S OWN SPIRITUALITY Purpose of this Introduction. The rules that members of any religious family observe to achieve perfection would be handed down falsely unless they were in conformity to the mind of the founder and the spirit that prevailed in the early days of the institute and gave impulse to subsequent development. It therefore seems opportune, prior to dealing with particular issues, to point out at the very beginning of this Spiritual Directory – insofar as historical sources allow – what the formation of the particular spirituality of the Premonstratensian Order was at its inception and its evolution over the following centuries. We will briefly set out the reasons and purposes for which our father Saint Norbert was led to establish a new religious family. This was certainly by personal intuition, but also because of favorable conditions at the time. After that, we will add a few considerations on what were, over eight centuries, the theory and practice of the spiritual life in the Norbertine Order both as they were and those that still exist. The Initial Mind of Saint Norbert. The ancient Vita of St. Norbert refers to how he was affected at the time of his so called conversion, and shortly before he received Holy Orders and notes: "Filled with a new grace of inner strength, even before having stripped off the old man, he wanted to put on the garments and ornaments of the new man, in other words the religious habit and priestly dignity", persuaded that the gifts would be even more fruitful as they materialized in this double conferral.1 Shortly after receiving Holy Orders as he desired, he retired to the famous monastery of Siegburg to "learn how to perform the duties of the priesthood he received and apply himself to living as a true religious".2 These texts show us unequivocally the dual concern of our father Saint Norbert, of leading an interior life along with apostolic activity, by the practice of asceticism for a more perfect life, while exercising his priestly functions with more care. Thus, we see germinate in the soul of Norbert, the new priest, that which will characterize the Order that he would soon found. 1 This text is found in many manuscripts of Vita B, chap. 1, Migne, PL 170, col. 1261f. 2 Ibid., col. 1263. 3 Elements Added by the Time Period. Our founder had to rely also on other sources in order to promote his projects: the ecclesiastical authority, the aspirations of the faithful as well as already existing institutes. Gregorian reform. During the century before the ordination of Saint Norbert, a very profound reform of the clerical state already occurred. This reform was widespread. It was called "The Gregorian Reform" because its principal initiator was Pope Gregory VII. At this time decrees had already been promulgated, both by the sovereign pontiff himself and by many bishops and synods, to root out many abuses and serious disorders among the clergy, to instill in those who were to lead the faithful to a true and pure apostolic spirit, together with the seeking of their own perfection.
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