The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré (), also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines and, in

Britain Britain most often refers to: * The United Kingdom, a sovereign state in Europe comprising the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and many smaller islands * Great Britain, the largest island in the United King ...

and

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, as the White Canons (from the colour of their

habit A habit (or wont as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously.

), is a religious order of

canons regular Canons regular are priests who live in community under a rule ( and canon in greek) and are generally organised into religious orders, differing from both secular canons and other forms of religious life, such as clerics regular, designated by ...

of the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

founded in

Prémontré Prémontré () is a commune in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. Population Sights The remains of Prémontré Abbey, the mother house of the Premonstratensian Order, are located in Prémontré. See also * Commu ...

near

Laon Laon () is a city in the Aisne department in Hauts-de-France in northern France. History Early history The holy district of Laon, which rises a hundred metres above the otherwise flat Picardy plain, has always held strategic importance. ...

in 1120 by

Norbert of Xanten Norbert of Xanten, O. Praem (c. 1075 – 6 June 1134) (Xanten-Magdeburg), also known as Norbert Gennep, was a bishop of the Catholic Church, founder of the Premonstratensian order of canons regular, and is venerated as a saint. Norbert was can ...

, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg. Premonstratensians are designated by ''OPraem'' (''Ordo Praemonstratensis'') following their name. Norbert was a friend of

Bernard of Clairvaux Bernard of Clairvaux, O. Cist. ( la, Bernardus Claraevallensis; 109020 August 1153), venerated as Saint Bernard, was an abbot, mystic, co-founder of the Knights Templars, and a major leader in the reformation of the Benedictine Order throug ...

and was largely influenced by the Cistercian ideals as to both the manner of life and the government of his order. As the Premonstratensians are not

monk A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedica ...

s but canons regular, their work often involves preaching and the exercising of pastoral ministry; they frequently serve in parishes close to their abbeys or priories.

History

The order was founded in 1120. Saint Norbert had made various efforts to introduce a strict form of canonical life in various communities of canons in

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; in 1120 he was working in the now-extinct

Ancient Diocese of Laon The diocese of Laon in the present-day département of Aisne, was a Catholic diocese for around 1300 years, up to the French Revolution. Its seat was in Laon, France, with the Laon Cathedral. From early in the 13th century, the bishop of Laon wa ...

, in Picardy, northeastern

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

. There, in a rural place called Prémontré, he and thirteen companions established a monastery to be the cradle of a new order. As they were canons regular, they followed the Rule of St. Augustine, but with supplementary statutes that made their life one of great austerity. Common prayer and celebration of the Eucharist was to be the sustaining dynamic of the community. In 1126, when the order received papal

approbation Approbation may refer to: * Approbation (Catholic canon law), an act in the Catholic Church by which a bishop or other legitimate superior grants to an ecclesiastic the actual exercise of his ministry * The process of granting a medical license ...

Pope Honorius II Pope Honorius II (9 February 1060 – 13 February 1130), born Lamberto Scannabecchi,Levillain, pg. 731 was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 21 December 1124 to his death in 1130. Although from a humble background, ...

, there were nine houses; others were established in quick succession throughout western Europe, so that at the middle of the fourteenth century there were some 1,300 monasteries for men and 400 for women. The Norbertines played a predominant part in the conversion of the

Wends Wends ( ang, Winedas ; non, Vindar; german: Wenden , ; da, vendere; sv, vender; pl, Wendowie, cz, Wendové) is a historical name for Slavs living near Germanic settlement areas. It refers not to a homogeneous people, but to various people ...

and the bringing of

Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...

to the territories around the

Elbe The Elbe (; cs, Labe ; nds, Ilv or ''Elv''; Upper and dsb, Łobjo) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia (western half of the Czech Re ...

and the Oder. In time, mitigations and relaxations emerged, and these gave rise to reforms and semi-independent congregations within the Order. The Norbertines arrived in England about 1143, first at Newhouse in Lincoln, England; before the dissolution under Henry VIII there were 35 houses. Soon after their arrival in England, they founded

Dryburgh Abbey Dryburgh Abbey, near Dryburgh on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, was nominally founded on 10 November (Martinmas) 1150 in an agreement between Hugh de Morville, Constable of Scotland, and the Premonstratensian canons regu ...

in the Borders area of

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...

, which was followed by other communities at

Whithorn Priory Whithorn Priory was a medieval Scottish monastery that also served as a cathedral, located at 6 Bruce Street in Whithorn, Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway (54.7357N, 4.415954W; OS grid reference NX445405). History The priory was founded ab ...

Dercongal Abbey Dercongal Abbey (or Holywood Abbey) was a Premonstratensian monastic community located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. History The date of its foundation is not known, but it was certainly in existence as a Premonstratensian monastic community by 1 ...

and Tongland Abbey all in the Borders area, as well as Fearn Abbey in the northern part of the nation. Like most orders they were almost completely devastated by the successive onslaughts of the Reformation, French Revolution, and Napoleon, but then experienced a revival in the 19th century. By the beginning of the nineteenth century the order had become almost extinct, only eight houses surviving, all in the Habsburg monarchy. However, there was something of a resurgence, and at the start of the twentieth century there were 20 monasteries and 1000 priests. , the number of monasteries had increased to nearly 100 and spread to every continent. In 1893, Father Bernard Pennings and two other Norbertines from Berne Abbey arrived in the United States of America to minister to Belgian immigrants in northern Wisconsin.

De Pere, Wisconsin De Pere ( ) is a city located in Brown County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 25,410 according to the 2020 Census. De Pere is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area. History At the arrival of the first European, J ...

became the site of the first Norbertine Abbey in the new world. By their nature as canons regular the Premonstratensians have always engaged in pastoral work of various kinds, including what would now be called retreat centres (nearly everywhere), and care for pilgrims (as at Conques) and, like many religious houses, have often run schools on a variety of scales (Averbode Abbey, Berne Abbey,

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, Australia). In order to support themselves, the different communities have down the centuries, and in modern times, operated small-scale manual activities (SME) such as printing (

Averbode Abbey Averbode Abbey is a Premonstratensian abbey situated in Averbode, in the municipality Scherpenheuvel-Zichem (Flemish Brabant), in the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels in Belgium. It was founded about 1134, suppressed in 1797, and reestablished ...

Tongerlo Abbey Tongerlo Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery at Tongerlo in Westerlo near Antwerp, Belgium. History It was founded in 1128 in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Giselbert of Kasterlee, who not only gave the land, but also himself became a ...

Berne Abbey Berne Abbey, a Dutch abbey of the Premonstratensians, or Norbertines, in Heeswijk, North Brabant, is a religious community in the Netherlands. It has 27 brothers and priests (2007; down from 33 in 2005). The community publishes a bi-monthly magazi ...

), farming ( Kinshasa,

Postel Abbey Postel Abbey is a Premonstratensian abbey in the Belgian municipality of Mol in the province of Antwerp. History In 1138, Premonstratensian canons from Floreffe Abbey founded the monastery at Postel as a dependent priory. In 1613, Postel becam ...

), forestry ( Schlägl Abbey,

Geras Abbey Geras Abbey (''Stift Geras'') is a Premonstratensian monastery in Geras in Lower Austria. Since 1783, it has also owned the premises of the former Pernegg Abbey nearby. History The abbey was founded in 1153 as a daughter house of Seelau Abbey ...

Slovakia Slovakia (; sk, Slovensko ), officially the Slovak Republic ( sk, Slovenská republika, links=no ), is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the s ...

), and cheese-making (Postel Abbey). They have also entered agreements with breweries (Tongerlo Abbey, Postel Abbey, Park Abbey,

Leffe Leffe () is a premium beer brand owned by InBev Belgium, the European operating arm of the global Anheuser–Busch InBev brewery giant. There are several beers in the range, and they are marketed as abbey beers. They are brewed in large quan ...

Grimbergen Grimbergen () is a municipality in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, 10 km north of the capital Brussels. It comprises the towns of Beigem, Grimbergen, Humbeek, and Strombeek-Bever. In 2017, it had a population of 37,030 and an are ...

) and undertaken artistic bookbinding (in

Oosterhout Oosterhout (; from ''ooster'', "eastern", and ''hout'', "woods") is a municipality and a city in the southern Netherlands. The municipality had a population of in . Population centers The municipality of Oosterhout includes the following pla ...

). Other activities have included the running of an astronomical observatory (Mira, Grimbergen). In 2015 there were some 1000 male and 200 female members of the Order. The Feast of All Norbertine Saints and Blesseds is celebrated internally on November 13. The Norbertines have also had a major presence in the area of Green Bay, Wisconsin, owning

WBAY WBAY-TV (channel 2) is a television station in Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States, affiliated with American Broadcasting Company, ABC and owned by Gray Television. The station's studios are located on South Jefferson Street in downtown Green B ...

television and radio stations until the mid-1970s. The Nobertines ran two local boys high schools until 1990 and still run four local schools in De Pere and Green Bay. Among these schools is St. Norbert College, the only Norbertine higher education institution in the world.

Canonesses

JRKRUK 20130606 NORBERTANKI IMBRAMOWICE IMG 9376

The Order has several abbeys of women who, though technically called canonesses, follow the life of an

enclosed religious order Enclosed religious orders or ''cloistered clergy'' are religious orders whose members strictly separate themselves from the affairs of the external world. In the Catholic Church, enclosure is regulated by the code of canon law, either the Lat ...

and are therefore more commonly termed Norbertine

nun A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service, typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience in the enclosure of a monastery or convent.''The Oxford English Dictionary'', vol. X, page 599. The term is o ...

s. Like the Norbertine communities for men, those for women are autonomous. Unusually, within the religious communities of the

, the Norbertine Order has always seen the spiritual life of the canonesses as being on an equal footing with that of its priests and

lay brother Lay brother is a largely extinct term referring to religious brothers, particularly in the Catholic Church, who focused upon manual service and secular matters, and were distinguished from choir monks or friars in that they did not pray in choir, ...

s. In the

Middle Ages In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire ...

, the Premonstratensians even had a few

double monasteries A double monastery (also dual monastery or double house) is a monastery combining separate communities of monks and of nuns, joined in one institution to share one church and other facilities. The practice is believed to have started in the East a ...

, where men and women lived in cloisters located next to each other as part of the same abbey, the communities demonstrating their unity by sharing the church building. Today, it is common for a foundation of canonesses to have links not only with other canonesses, but also with a community of canons.

Premonstratensian Rite

The Premonstratensians were among the religious orders with their own rite who kept this rite after

Pope Pius V Pope Pius V ( it, Pio V; 17 January 1504 – 1 May 1572), born Antonio Ghislieri (from 1518 called Michele Ghislieri, O.P.), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1566 to his death in May 1572. He is v ...

suppressed such rites with a continuous tradition of less than two hundred years. The Premonstratensian Rite was especially characterized by a ritual solemnity. The Premonstratensian Rite was also characterized by an emphasis on the

Paschal mystery The Paschal mystery is one of the central concepts of Catholic faith relating to the history of salvation. According to the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "The Paschal Mystery of Jesus, which comprises his passion, death, res ...

unique among the Latin rites. This was especially seen in the solemnity with which the daily conventional High Mass and office was celebrated during the Easter octave, especially vespers which concluded with a procession to the baptismal font, a practice paralleled among the Latin rites only in similar processions still found in the

Ambrosian Rite The Ambrosian Rite is a Catholic Western liturgical rite, named after Saint Ambrose, a bishop of Milan in the fourth century, which differs from the Roman Rite. It is used by some five million Catholics in the greater part of the Archdiocese ...

. Another unique practice of the Premonstratensian Rite was the celebration of a daily votive Mass in honor of the

Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

in each of its abbeys and priories.

Structure

Since Norbertine abbeys (and most priories) are autonomous, practices and apostolates are different, depending on the needs of the local Church. Some houses are contemplative in character whilst others are highly active in pastoral ministry. However, each is guided by the Rule of Saint Augustine and the Constitutions established by the

General Chapter A chapter ( la, capitulum or ') is one of several bodies of clergy in Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Anglican, and Nordic Lutheran churches or their gatherings. Name The name derives from the habit of convening monks or canons for the re ...

, which is held every six years. The general Chapter includes representatives from both male and female communities. The head of the Order, termed

Abbot Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the male head of a monastery in various Western religious traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not the head of a monastery. The ...

General, resides in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, and he is assisted in his duties by the Definitors (High Council) as well as commissions established for various aspects of the Order's life such as liturgy and inter-abbey communications.

Abbeys

As of 2012, there were Premonstratensian abbeys or priories throughout the world: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the USA. There are seven circaries (Premonstratensian term for an

ecclesiastical province An ecclesiastical province is one of the basic forms of jurisdiction in Christian Churches with traditional hierarchical structure, including Western Christianity and Eastern Christianity. In general, an ecclesiastical province consists of seve ...

): * Anglica Circary: *St Norbert Priory, Queens Park, Perth, Australia * St. Philip's Priory, Chelmsford, England *Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott, Ireland * St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, Wisconsin ** Holy Spirit House of Studies, Chicago *

Daylesford Abbey Daylesford Abbey is a Roman Catholic monastery of Canons Regular of Premontre, located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles west of Philadelphia. The Abbey is named after Daylesford, Pennsylvania Daylesford is an unincorporated com ...

, Paoli, Pennsylvania, USA * Immaculate Conception Priory, Middletown, Delaware, USA * St. Michael's Abbey, California, USA *St. Moses the Black, Jackson, Mississippi, USA *Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey, New Mexico, USA * St.Norbert Abbey, Jamtara, Jabalpur (M.P), India **St. Norbert Priory, Indara, India **St. Norbert Priory, Mumbai, India **St. Norbert Study House, Nagpur, India **Norbertine Study House, Pune, India * Quasi-Cannonry of Kerala, India * Cannonry of Manathawady, India **St. Norbert's Priory, Cape Town, South Africa * St. Norbert Priory, Tamil Nadu, India * Bohemica Circary * Nová Říše Monastery, Czech Republic *

Strahov Monastery Strahov Monastery ( cs, Strahovský klášter) is a Premonstratensian abbey founded in 1143 by Jindřich Zdík, Bishop John of Prague, and Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia. It is located in Strahov, Prague, Czech Republic. History The founding of ...

, Czech Republic **Canonry in

Holíč Holíč (until 1946 "Holič", german: Weißkirchen (an der March) / Holitsch, hu, Holics) is a town in western Slovakia. History The oldest archaeological findings in the area date from the Neolithic, and there are findings from the Bronze Age, ...

Slovakia * Teplá Abbey, Czech Republic * Želiv Abbey, Czech Republic *

Jasov Jasov (german: Joß; hu, Jászó) is a small town and municipality in Košice-okolie District in the Kosice Region of eastern Slovakia. It is one of several towns in Bodva Valley. Other towns in Bodva Valley include: Lucia Bania, Medzev (M ...

Monastery, Slovakia * Brabantica Circary *

, Belgium **Vejle, Denmark **Brasschaat Priory, Belgium *

Grimbergen Abbey Grimbergen Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery in Grimbergen, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, established in 1128 in the place of an earlier foundation of Augustinian Canons. The abbey itself was dissolved in 1796 in the aftermath of the French ...

, Belgium *

Park Abbey Park Abbey ( nl, Abdij van Park; also Parc Abbey) is a Premonstratensian abbey in Belgium, at Heverlee just south of Leuven, in Flemish Brabant. The '' Annales Parchenses'' were written here in the 12th century. History The abbey was founded i ...

, Belgium *

, Belgium **Parroquia San Pablo, Chiguayante, Chile *

, The Netherlands **Priory of Essenburgh, Hierden **Priory ‘De Schans’, Tilburg * Gallica Circary *Priory La Cambre, Brussels *Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe, Dinant * St. Joseph's Priory, Saint-Constant, Canada * Abbey of St. Michael, Frigolet, France * Abbey of St. Martin, Mondaye, France **Priory of St. Foy, Conques, France **Prieuré Notre-Dame des Neiges, Laloubère, France *

La Lucerne Abbey La Lucerne Abbey (''Abbaye Sainte-Trinité de La Lucerne''later also known as "La Lucerne-d'Outremer", from its connection to the English crown, whence the name of the present commune) is a Premonstratensian monastery situated in the forests of th ...

* Priory of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo * Germanica Circary *

Hamborn Abbey Hamborn Abbey (german: Abtei Hamborn) is a Premonstratensian monastery in the Alt-Hamborn district of Duisburg, Germany. The abbey is physically located in the diocese of Essen, although not formally part of it. History The present abbey church ...

, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany **Premomonstratensian Priory in Magdeburg * Speinshart Abbey, Bavaria *

Windberg Abbey Windberg Abbey (german: Kloster Windberg) is a Premonstratensian monastery in Windberg in Lower Bavaria, Germany. History First foundation Windberg Abbey was founded by Count Albert I of Bogen with the assistance of Bishop Otto of Bamberg on ...

, Bavaria **

Roggenburg Abbey Roggenburg Abbey (Kloster Roggenburg or Reichsstift Roggenburg) is a Premonstratensian canonry in Roggenburg near Neu-Ulm, Bavaria, in operation between 1126 and 1802, and again from its re-foundation in 1986. Since 1992 it has been a dependent pr ...

, Bavaria * Stift Geras, Austria * Stift Schlägl, Austria * Stift Wilten, Tyrol * Hungarica Circary * Abbey of St. Michael the Archangel,

Csorna Csorna is a town in Győr-Moson-Sopron county, Hungary. Csorna is located near the Fertő-Hanság National Park. There are two districts in the town: the Földsziget and the Csatárimajor. Etymology The name comes from Slavic ''*Cherna/Chorna'' ...

, Hungary * Gödöllő Canonry,

Gödöllő Gödöllő (; german: Getterle; sk, Jedľovo) is a town in Pest County, Budapest metropolitan area, Hungary, about northeast from the outskirts of Budapest. Its population is 34,396 according to the 2010 census and is growing rapidly. It can b ...

* Saint Stephen Abbey, Oradea, Romania * Portuguesa Circary *Priory of St. Norbert, Itinga, Brazil **Priory of Natal **Pfarre Gatterhölzl, Vienna, Austria * St Norbert Abbey, Jaú, Brazil **Parish of São Paulo * Montes Claros Priory ** Mirabela, priory parish ** Casa de Contagem

Discontinued

* Stift Griffen, Carinthia * Stift Pernegg, Lower Austria *

Bonne-Espérance Abbey Bonne-Espérance Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey that existed from 1130 to the end of the 18th century, located in Vellereille-les-Brayeux in the Walloon municipality of Estinnes, province of Hainaut, Diocese of Tournai, in present-day Belgi ...

, Belgium *

Cornillon Abbey Mont Cornillon Abbey (''L'Abbaye du Mont-Cornillon'' in French language, French) was a Premonstratensian monastery which occupied a site in Wallonia close to Liège, Belgium. In 1288 the abbey having moved to a new location, it became known as Beau ...

, Belgium *

Floreffe Abbey Floreffe Abbey is a former Premonstratensian monastery, the second of the order to be founded, situated in Wallonia on the Sambre at Floreffe, about 11 km southwest of Namur, Belgium. History When Norbert of Xanten, founder of the Premonstra ...

, Belgium *Furnes (Veurne) Abbey * Leffe Abbey * Ninove Abbey, Belgium * Bellapais Abbey, Cyprus *

Hradisko Monastery Hradisko Monastery or Monastery Hradisko (Czech language: ''Klášter Hradisko'' or ''Klášterní Hradisko'', or simply ''Hradiště''; colloquially also: ''Moravský Escorial'', English: ''Castle Monastery'' or ''Hillfort Monastery'') is a f ...

, Czech Republic * Børglum Abbey, Denmark * Monastery of Bäckaskog, Skåne, 12th-century Denmark * Monastery of Övedskloster, Skåne, 12th-century Denmark *Monastery of Tommarp, Skåne, 12th-century Denmark * Monastery of Vä, Skåne, 12th-century Denmark *

Ardenne Abbey Ardenne Abbey (french: Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Ardenne), the Abbey of Our Lady of Ardenne, is a former Premonstratensian abbey founded in the 11th century and located near Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe in Calvados, near Caen, France. It is now occu ...

, France * L'Étanche Abbey, Lorraine, France * Abbey of St John the Baptist, Falaise, France *

Cuissy Abbey Cuissy Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey in France in the diocese of Soissons, and was among the earliest foundations of the Premonstratensian Order. History The abbey was situated at Cuissy-et-Geny, near Laon, in the ''département'' of Aisne (d ...

, France *

Abbey of St. Martin, Laon The Abbey of St. Martin, Laon, established in 1124 in Laon in the modern department of Aisne in northern France, was one of the earliest foundations of the Premonstratensian Order. Along with Cuissy Abbey and Floreffe Abbey it counted as one of th ...

, France *

Prémontré Abbey Prémontré Abbey was the mother house of the Premonstratensian Order and was located at Prémontré about twelve miles west of Laon, ''département'' of Aisne, France. History It was founded by Saint Norbert of Xanten in 1120 on waste land that ...

, France *

Pont-à-Mousson Pont-à-Mousson () is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France. Its inhabitants are known as ''Mussipontains'' in French. It is an industrial town (mainly steel industry), situated on the river Moselle. Pont-à-Mous ...

Abbey * All Saints' Abbey, Germany * , North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany *

Lorsch Abbey Lorsch Abbey, otherwise the Imperial Abbey of Lorsch (german: Reichsabtei Lorsch; la, Laureshamense Monasterium or ''Laurissa''), is a former Imperial abbey in Lorsch, Germany, about east of Worms. It was one of the most renowned monasteries ...

, Germany * Obermarchtal Abbey, Germany *

Pöhlde Abbey Pöhlde Abbey was a Premonstratensian (previously Benedictine) monastery at Pöhlde, now a small village and part of the town of Herzberg am Harz, in Lower Saxony, Germany. History The lands of Pöhlde were given in dower in c 927 to Queen Mati ...

, Germany * Schussenried Abbey, Germany * Steingaden Abbey, Germany *

Rot an der Rot Abbey Rot an der Rot Abbey (also referred to as ''Roth'', ''Münchroth'', ''Münchenroth'', ''Mönchroth'' or ''Mönchsroth'') was a Premonstratensian monastery in Rot an der Rot in Upper Swabia, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was the first Premonstrat ...

, Germany * Weissenau Abbey, Germany * Zsámbék Abbey, Hungary *

Holy Trinity Abbey, Lough Key Holy Trinity Abbey is a former medieval Premonstratensian priory and National Monument located in Lough Key, Ireland. Location Holy Trinity Abbey is located on Trinity Island, an island of 0.9 ha (2.2 ac) in the southern part of Lough Key, faci ...

, Ireland * Kildermot Abbey, Ireland * St. Antimo's Abbey, Italy *

St. Olav's Abbey, Tønsberg St. Olav's Abbey, Tønsberg ( no, Olavsklosteret i Tønsberg) was a Premonstratensian monastery, located in Tønsberg, Norway. History The Premonstratensian canons founded the monastery, dedicated to Saint Olav, in Tønsberg in the second half of ...

, Norway * Monastery of Dragsmark, Bohuslän, 13th century Norway *

Żukowo Żukowo ( csb, Żukòwò, german: Zuckau, la, Sucovia) is a town in the Kartuzy County, in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of northern Poland, in the geographical region of Kashubia, with 6,236 inhabitants (2005). It is located along the Radunia ri ...

- Poland *

Monastery of Santa María la Real in Aguilar de Campoo A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone ( hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer whic ...

, Aguilar de Campoo, Spain *

Santa María de La Vid Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts during the late evening and overnight ...

La Vid y Barrios La Vid y Barrios is a municipality located in the province of Burgos, Castile and León, Spain. According to the 2004 census (INE INE, Ine or ine may refer to: Institutions * Institut für Nukleare Entsorgung, a German nuclear research center ...

, Burgos (currently

Augustinian Augustinian may refer to: *Augustinians, members of religious orders following the Rule of St Augustine *Augustinianism, the teachings of Augustine of Hippo and his intellectual heirs *Someone who follows Augustine of Hippo * Canons Regular of Sain ...

), Spain *

Bellelay Abbey Bellelay Abbey is a former Premonstratensian monastery in the Bernese Jura in Switzerland, now a psychiatric clinic. It is a heritage site of national significance and the entire former Abbey complex is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage S ...

(Abbaye de Bellelay),

Bellelay Saicourt is a municipality in the Jura bernois administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It comprises the localities of Le Fuet, Bellelay, La Bottiere and Montbautier. It is located in the French-speaking Bernese Jura ('' ...

, Switzerland *

Gottstatt Abbey Gottstat Monastery is a former Premonstratensian monastery in the municipality of Orpund in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Establishment It was established in 1255 by Count Rudolf I von Neuchâtel-Nidau. A previous attempt to establish a mon ...

Orpund Orpund is a municipality in the Biel/Bienne administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. History Orpund is first mentioned in 1255 as ''Orpunt''. The municipality was formerly known by its unknown name ''er Orpondes'', howev ...

, Switzerland *

Romainmôtier Abbey Romainmôtier is a village and former municipality in the district of Orbe in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. In 1970 the municipality was merged with the neighboring municipality Envy to form a new and larger municipality Romainmôtier-Envy ...

Romainmôtier-Envy Romainmôtier-Envy () is a municipality in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, located in the district of Jura-Nord Vaudois. The village, which lies on the Nozon river, has about 450 inhabitants. The town has a notable Romanesque church. The mo ...

, Switzerland *

Rüti Abbey Rüti, which comes from the Old High German word , meaning " clearing", is a popular name for towns in the German speaking part of Switzerland. It can refer to the following: *Rüti, Glarus in Glarus *Rüti, Zürich Rüti (sometimes written as ' ...

(Kloster Rüti) and

Rüti Church Rüti, which comes from the Old High German word , meaning " clearing", is a popular name for towns in the German speaking part of Switzerland. It can refer to the following: *Rüti, Glarus in Glarus *Rüti, Zürich in Zürich *:Rüti Reformed Chur ...

, Switzerland *

Alnwick Abbey Alnwick Abbey was founded as a Premonstratensian monastery in 1147 by Eustace fitz John near Alnwick, England, as a daughter house of Newhouse Abbey in Lincolnshire. It was dissolved in 1535, refounded in 1536 and finally suppressed in 1539. ...

, England * Barlings Abbey, England * Bayham Abbey, England * Beauchief Abbey, England *

Beeleigh Abbey Beeleigh Abbey near Maldon in Essex, England, was a monastery constructed in 1180 for the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, as known as the Norbertines or Premonstratensians. The order linked the change of the separate life of monks in t ...

, England *

Blanchland Abbey Blanchland Abbey at Blanchland, in the English county of Northumberland, was founded as a premonstratensian priory in 1165 by Walter de Bolbec II, and was a daughter house of Croxton Abbey in Leicestershire. It became an abbey in the late 13th ...

, England *

Cockersand Abbey Cockersand Abbey is a former abbey and former civil parish near Cockerham in the City of Lancaster district of Lancashire, England. It is situated near the mouth of the River Cocker. History It was founded before 1184 as the Hospital of St Ma ...

, England *

Coverham Abbey Coverham Abbey, North Yorkshire, England, was a Premonstratensian monastery that was founded at Swainby in 1190 by Helewisia, daughter of the Chief Justiciar Ranulf de Glanville. It was refounded at Coverham in about 1212 by her son Ranulf fit ...

, England *

Croxton Abbey Croxton Abbey, near Croxton Kerrial, Leicestershire, was a Premonstratensian monastery founded by William I, Count of Boulogne. History Croxton Abbey was founded by William, Count of Boulogne and Mortain, who donated the land for the abbe ...

, England *

Dale Abbey Dale Abbey is a village and civil parish in the borough of Erewash in Derbyshire in the East Midlands of England, 6 miles north east of Derby. The population of the civil parish on the 2011 census was 1,351. Formerly known as Depedale or Deepda ...

, England * Durford Abbey, England *

Easby Abbey Easby Abbey, or the Abbey of St Agatha, is a ruined Premonstratensian abbey on the eastern bank of the River Swale on the outskirts of Richmond in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, England. The site is privately owned but maintained b ...

, England *

Egglestone Abbey Egglestone Abbey is a ruined Premonstratensian abbey on the southern (Yorkshire) bank of the River Tees, in northern England, south-east of Barnard Castle. The abbey was historically within the North Riding of Yorkshire, but since 1974 h ...

, England *

Hagnaby Abbey Hagnaby Abbey was an abbey and former priory in Hagnaby, Lincolnshire, England. It was founded as a house for Premonstratensian canons around 1175, by Agnes, widow of Herbert de Orreby. The priory was a dependency of Welbeck Abbey and named in ...

, England * Halesowen Abbey, England *

Langley Abbey Langley Abbey was an abbey of Premonstratensian Canons in Langley Green, now in the civil parish of Langley with Hardley, Norfolk, England. The monastery was founded by Robert fitzRoger in 1195. There are remains of the church and barn as well ...

, England *

Lavendon Abbey Lavendon Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey near Lavendon in Buckinghamshire, England. The abbey was established by John de Bidun between 1154 and 1158 and dedicated to John the Baptist. Bidun's donations to the abbey, together with those of S ...

, England *

Leiston Abbey Leiston Abbey outside the town of Leiston, Suffolk, England, was a religious house of Canons Regular following the Premonstratensian rule (White canons), dedicated to St Mary. Founded in c. 1183 by Ranulf de Glanville (c. 1112-1190), Chief Justic ...

, England *

Newbo Abbey Newbo Abbey was a Premonstratensian house of canons regular in Lincolnshire, England, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. In the Middle Ages, Lincolnshire was one of the most densely populated parts of England. Within the historical county there ...

, England * Newsham Abbey, England * Our Lady of England Priory, England * St. Radegund's Abbey, England *

Shap Abbey Shap Abbey was a religious house of the Premonstratensian order of Canons regular situated on the western bank of the River Lowther in the civil parish of Shap Rural, around from the village of Shap, in the Eden District of Cumbria, England. Th ...

, England * Sulby Abbey, England *

Titchfield Abbey Titchfield Abbey is a medieval abbey and later country house, located in the village of Titchfield near Fareham in Hampshire, England. The abbey was founded in 1222 for Premonstratensian canons, an austere order of priests. The abbey was a mi ...

, England * Torre Abbey, England *

Tupholme Abbey Tupholme Abbey was a Premonstratensian abbey close to the River Witham some east of the city of Lincoln, England. The Witham valley in Lincolnshire is notable for its high concentration of monasteries—there were six on the east bank and th ...

, England *

Welbeck Abbey Welbeck Abbey in the Dukeries in North Nottinghamshire was the site of a monastery belonging to the Premonstratensian order in England and after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a country house residence of the Dukes of Portland. It is o ...

, England * Wendling Abbey, England * West Langdon Abbey, England *

, Scotland *

, Scotland * Fearn Abbey, Scotland *

Soulseat Abbey Saulseat or Soulseat Abbey was a Premonstratensian monastic community located in Wigtownshire, Galloway, in the Gaelic-speaking south-west of Scotland. History There is some evidence that Soulseat Abbey is ''Viride Stagnum'' ("green loch"), t ...

, Scotland * Tongland Abbey, Scotland *

, Scotland *

Talley Abbey Talley Abbey ( cy, Abaty Talyllychau) is a ruined former monastery of the Premonstratensians ("White Canons") in the village of Talley in Carmarthenshire, Wales, six miles (10 km) north of the market town of Llandeilo. It lies in the River ...

('Abaty Talyllychau'), Wales

Notable members

* Robert John Cornell (1919–2009), Democratic U.S. Congressman from

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

from 1975 to 1979 and professor of

political science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

St. Norbert College St. Norbert College (SNC) is a private Norbertine liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin. Founded in October 1898 by Abbot Bernard Pennings, a Norbertine priest and educator, the school was named after Saint Norbert of Xanten. In 1952, the c ...

Prokop Diviš Dom (title), Dom Prokop Diviš, Premonstratensian, O.Praem. () (26 March 1698 – 21 December 1765) was a Czech people, Czech canon regular, theologian and natural scientist. In an attempt to prevent thunderstorms from occurring, he inadve ...

(1698–1765), Czech inventor *

Jan Druys Jan Druys, Latinized Drusius (1568-1634) was a Norbertine canon regular from the Low Countries who became the 30th Abbot of Park Abbey in Heverlee just outside Leuven. Life Druys was born at Kumtich, near Tienen, in 1568. Edouard Van Even, "Druys ...

(1568-1635), Flemish canon regular and abbot *

Juan de Galavís Juan de Galavís y Mendez, Premonstratensians, OPraem (29 January 1683 – 14 November 1739) was a Spanish Premonstratensians, Premonstratensian Canons Regular, canon regular and a prelate of the Catholic Church in what is now the Dominican Republ ...

(1683–1739), Spanish archbishop in Latin America * Charles-Hyacinthe Hugo (1667–1739), French historian and bishop * Hermann Joseph (1150?–1241), German canon regular and mystic *

Johann Lohel Johann Lohelius (1549 – November 2, 1622), better known as Johann Lohel, was the archbishop of Prague from September 18, 1612 until his death. Early life Born in 1549 in a poor family, Johann was piously brought up. At fifteen he was engaged as ...

(1549–1622), Bohemian prior who later became archbishop of Prague *

Werenfried van Straaten Werenfried van Straaten, born Philippus Johannes Hendricus van Straaten O. Praem. (17 January 1913 – 31 January 2003), was a Dutch Catholic priest and social activist. He was a Premonstratensian priest expatriate in Germany, who became know ...

(1913–2003), Dutch priest and activist, known for his humanitarian work, particularly as founder of the international Catholic association

Aid to the Church in Need In international relations, aid (also known as international aid, overseas aid, foreign aid, economic aid or foreign assistance) is – from the perspective of governments – a voluntary transfer of resources from one country to another. Ai ...

* Francis Wichmans (1596–1661), Belgian abbot, scholar, and noted theologian of his day *

Johann Zahn Johann Zahn (29 March 1641, Karlstadt am Main – 27 June 1707) was the seventeenth-century German author of ''Oculus Artificialis Teledioptricus Sive Telescopium'' (Würzburg, 1685). This work contains many descriptions and diagrams, illustrati ...

(1631–1707),

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) ** Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

canon Canon or Canons may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Canon (fiction), the conceptual material accepted as official in a fictional universe by its fan base * Literary canon, an accepted body of works considered as high culture ** Western ca ...

who wrote on the

camera obscura A camera obscura (; ) is a darkened room with a small hole or lens at one side through which an image is projected onto a wall or table opposite the hole. ''Camera obscura'' can also refer to analogous constructions such as a box or tent in w ...

and who invented an early

camera A camera is an optical instrument that can capture an image. Most cameras can capture 2D images, with some more advanced models being able to capture 3D images. At a basic level, most cameras consist of sealed boxes (the camera body), with a ...

Norbertine Saints

*Hermann Joseph von Steinfeld (feast May 24) *Norbert (+1134, f. Jun. 6) *Adrian and James of Middleburg, martyrs (+1572, f Jul. 9) *

Evermode of Ratzeburg Evermode, or Evermod (c. 1100 – 17 February 1178), was one of the first Premonstratensian canons regular, and became the lifelong companion of Norbert of Xanten, who founded the order in France in 1120. Evermode was born in Belgium. After ...

(+1178, f. Feb. 17) *

Frederick of Hallum Saint Frederick of Hallum ( West Frisian: Freark fan Hallum) (c. 1113 – March 5, 1175) was a Premonstratensian priest and regular canon, founder and first abbot of Mariengaarde Abbey in Friesland in the Netherlands. He was also the parish prie ...

(or of Mariengaarde) (+1175, f. Feb. 4) *Gilbert of Neuffontaines (or of Cappenberg) (+1152, f. Oct. 26) *Godfrey of Cappenberg (+1127, f. Jan. 14) * Isfrid (Isfried) of Ratzeburg (+1204, f. Jun. 15), * Ludolph of Ratzeburg (+1250, f. April 16) *Siard of Mariengaarde (+1230, f. Nov. 14). Norbertine Blesseds include Beatrice of Engelport (+1275, f. Mar. 12/13)

Bronislava of Poland Blessed Bronislava (Polish: ''Bronisława''; ''c.'' 1204–1259) was a Polish nun of the Premonstratensian Order. She is beatified in the Roman Catholic Church. Early life Bronislava was born at Kamień, Włodawa County, in eastern Poland ...

(or of Zwierzniec) (+1259, f. Aug. 30), Gerlach of Valkenburg (+1172, Jan. 5),

Gertrude of Aldenberg Blessed Gertrude of Aldenberg , (c. October 1227 – 13 August 1297) was a German noblewoman and abbess. She was the daughter of Elizabeth of Hungary and of Louis IV, Landgrave of Thuringia. She became a Premonstratensian canoness regular at the ...

(Altenburg), Abbess (+1297, f. Aug. 13), Hugh of Fosse (+1164, f. Feb. 10), Hroznata of Teplá (+1217, f. Jul. 14), Jakob Kern of Geras (+1924, f. Oct. 20), Oda of Bonne Rivreuille (+1158, f. Apr. 20), Peter-Adrian Toulorge of Blanchelande, Martyr (+1793, f. Oct. 13), and Ricvera of Clastres (+1136, f. Oct. 29). Norbertines celebrate "all Norbertine Saints and Blesseds" on Nov. 13.

Education

, United States, is the only institution of higher education sponsored by the Order. Elsewhere they also sponsor/operate schools or serve in pastoral care capacities at parish schools. Schools founded or sponsored by the order include: *Abbot Pennings High School, De Pere, Wisconsin, US (merged to form Notre Dame Academy) *

Archmere Academy Archmere Academy is a private Roman Catholic college preparatory school located in Claymont, Delaware, United States. 514 students were enrolled for the 202021 academic year. The academy is co-educational and is run independently within the Roman ...

Claymont, Delaware Claymont is a census-designated place (CDP) in New Castle County, Delaware. The estimated 2017 population of the 19703 ZIP code, which Claymont encompasses, was 15,292. History The community now known as Claymont started on the banks of Naamans ...

, US *

Cardinal Gracias High School Cardinal Gracias High School is a convent school that was founded on 12 June 1961 and is located in eastern Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai, India. See also * List of schools in Mumbai The following is a list of notable educational institution ...

, Bandra, Maharashtra, India * St. Michael's Preparatory School,

Silverado, California Silverado is an unincorporated community in Silverado Canyon, which is located in the Santa Ana Mountains in eastern Orange County, California. Portions of the town sit on a former Mexican land grant Rancho Lomas de Santiago. Silverado is lo ...

, US *

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth i ...

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

*Saint Norbert Gymnasium ( hu),

Hungary Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Pannonian Basin, Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the ...

Controversies

Northern Ireland Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...

's Historical Abuse Inquiry investigated reports that Brendan Smyth, a member of the Norbertine Order, was allowed to continue paedophilia for more than four decades, even after Smyth himself had admitted in 1994, the same year that he was jailed for his crimes, that "Over the years of religious life it could be that I have sexually abused between 50 and 100 children. That number could even be doubled or perhaps even more." Reviewers of the case agree that there was a deliberate plot to conceal Smyth's behaviour, incompetence by his superiors at Kilnacrott Abbey.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography *Wolfgang Grassl, ''Culture of Place: An Intellectual Profile of the Premonstratensian Order''. Nordhausen: Bautz, 2012.

External links

Premonstratensian Home PageSt Norbert College, Catholic Secondary School in the Norbertine Tradition)St. Norbert College - Private Catholic College (Norbertine Tradition)Archmere Academy - Catholic School in the Norbertine TraditionArchmere Alumni AssociationThe website for St. Michael's Abbey of the Norbertine Fathers in Silverado, CaliforniaThe website of the Norbertine Community of Our Lady of England Priory, Storrington, West Sussex, UKNorbertines of Chelmsford, UKCenter for Norbertine Studies, St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin
{{Authority control * 1120 establishments in Europe Religious organizations established in the 1120s Christian religious orders established in the 12th century