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Tag Archives: St. Norbert

Norbert’s Feast Day at Daylesford Abbey

06 Wednesday Jun 2018

Posted by Brian in Saints

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Daylesford Abbey, Norbertines, St. Augustine, St. Norbert

daylesford fornt final 2
Daylesford Abbey, Paoli Pennsylvania, with bronze sculpture, the Abbey Church, and the bell tower on right.

The bell tower consists of three bells that chime and resonate throughout the day. From any angle in looking at the bell tower, you see a cross.

bronze statue 3
Detail: Bronze sculpture on Daylesford Abbey grounds.

Blessed Hugh is the lower figure. He was one of St. Norbert’s first disciples and later became first abbot of Prémontré. Above Hugh is Norbert, pointing upward to Jesus. And Jesus is the upright figure with hands raised to heaven.

norbert nice pict from abbey
St. Norbert, founder of the Norbertine Order, at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Norbert in his own side chapel at the Abbey. The light above is from a skylight opening. It’s June 6th, the feast day of St. Norbert.

jhs
Detail of Norbert’s right hand holding the Monstrance with the Host embedded with the insignia JHS.

The most common Christogram is “IHS” or “IHC”, denoting the first three letters of the Greek spelling of the name of Jesus. In Greek capitals Jesus name is ΙΗΣΟΥΣ or IHSOUS in Latin letters. Shortened this becomes IHS(ous) or IHS. In Latin the I and J are interchangeable, therefore JHS is an equivalent meaning of the Holy Name.

norbert with vision
Norbert painting at Daylesford Abbey, Paoli Pennsylvania.

Norbert in a state of ecstasy, receiving a vision from the Lord.
On the right is his Archbishop mitre.

On one occasion, while Norbert was celebrating Mass, a spider fell into the already consecrated chalice. To avoid desecrating the precious blood of Jesus, Norbert swallowed the large spider whole, only to have it expelled through his nose with a sneeze.

norbert
Saint Norbert painting by Marten Pepijn 1637, oil on panel a O.L. Vrouwekathedraal Cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Norbertines at Daylesford Abbey have a deep sense for community. They use the term communio, and practice it by living in open dialogue and consultation individually and collectively with the local community. Being canons regular the Norbertines combine community activity with the contemplative life. Yet unlike monks who live in cloistered, contemplative life and sometimes engage in the community, Daylesford canons regular preach, teach, and administer the sacraments for all who participate when at the Abbey.

sign spring
Entrance to Daylseford Abbey complex.

The Daylesford Abbey Spirituality Center brings diverse and innovative programs, from world renowned national speakers like Fr. Richard Rohr. Smaller programs like how to write a collect for the opening prayer of a Mass. Of course the collect written won’t get into the Roman Missal, but understanding the process is fascinating. For some of the larger programs, like conferences and retreats, the Abbey offers 36 rooms for overnight guests with home cooked meals. Dinners before spirituality programs are a nice addition to the Abbey culture.

inside abbey church
The Daylesford Abbey nave with the pews arranged in the foreground facing each other.

There are several Norbertine Abbeys in the US. In addition to Daylesford Abbey, there is St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere Wisconsin and St. Michaels Abbey in California. Each Abbey operates autonomous of one another, with their own unique culture. The Daylesford Abbey would be considered left and liberal of other Norbertine Abbeys. This also differentiates the forward thinking Daylesford Abbey from other religious in the Philadelphia area.

cross
Cross at Daylesford Abbey Church

Since Norbert left no writings except for one small prayer, his legacy is the religious community he left behind. Following St. Augustine “those who sing pray twice” the Norbertines sing their prayers in the Divine Office and have a special devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

norbert paint 2
Norbert with Monstrance and Staff, Daylesford Abbey, Philadelphia, PA

Norbert was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and defended the sanctity of the Blessed Sacrament. He is credited for driving a heretic from Antwerp who repeatedly blasphemed the Blessed Sacrament and had it removed from the cathedral and hidden. As part of this miracle Saint Norbert rescued the monstrance, returning it unharmed to the cathedral. We typically see the Monstrance being held by Norbert in paintings of the saint.

modern art
Artwork in one of the several courtyards throughout the Abbey.
The newest edition to the Abbey grounds in Paoli, Pennsylvania is the amazing Daylesford Abbey Stations of the Cross or the Via Crucis. It’s all outdoor along a trail, and each station is an alcove off the main trail. The Station scenes are replicas from the Basilica of San Zeno in Verona, Italy.

Goodbye to Norbert and the Abbey on Norbert’s feast day. It’s a special place for prayer, meditation and learning.

St. Norbert Feast Day, The Norbertines and Daylesford Abbey

06 Thursday Jun 2013

Posted by Brian in Saints, Uncategorized

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Tags

Dalyseford Abbey, Norbertines, St. Norbert

Norbert Dalysford 2St. Norbert, founder of the Norbertine Order. At Daylesford Abbey side chapel in Paoli Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

According to Give us This Day, when St. Norbert (1080-1134) was appointed archbishop of Magdeburg, (in present day Germany) he arrived in the city barefoot and dressed so poorly, he was first turned away by the palace attendant as a beggar. Upon realizing his mistake, Norbert assured him: “Never mind, dear brother, you judge me more truly than those who brought me here.”

norbertSaint Norbert Painting by Marten Pepijn 1637, oil on panel a O.L. Vrouwekathedraal Cathedral in Antwerp, Belgium.

The Norbertines at Daylesford Abbey are canons regular, (not monks) meaning they service and interact with the community and follow the Rule of St. Augustine. This is why their Spirituality Center programs are so strong and varied, from bringing in world renowned speaker Fr. Richard Rohr to presentations on the spirituality of beekeeping. For some the larger programs, conferences or retreats, the Abbey has 36 rooms for overnight guests. They also have home cooked meals for a nominal cost.

jesus i trust in you

“Jesus I Trust in You” at Daylesford Abbey

Also known as Premonstratensians. Norbert founded the order in the French town of Premontre, northeast of Paris. The Norbertines today sing their prayers in the Divine Office and have a special devotion to the Holy Eucharist. On June 6th, the solemnity of St. Norbert, Daylesford Abbey shares with the community The Office of Vigils, Morning Prayer, Mass with St. Norbert emphasis, and Vespers.

DSC_0316
Entrance to Daylseford Abbey complex.

Abbey view
Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, Pennsylvania USA.

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The Cover Art

Jan Van Eyck, “The Adoration of the Lamb” 1432 from the Ghent Alterpiece. Detail: The red altar where the lamb stands reads, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world” and “Jesus the way, the truth, and the life”, both quotes from Gospel of John. In this image and in the book of Revelation the Lamb is Jesus. Directly around the Lamb on the altar are angels who are carrying the instruments in the Passion scenes, like the cross and crown of thorns.

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There's beauty in sacred spaces; from the stories they tell in architecture, stained glass windows and icons; to the rituals and liturgy that arises our soul. Inside a shrine, the angels and saints praise God with us. I hope to relay the message for the kingdom, power and glory of God, now and forever.

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