PREMONSTRATENSIANS. - Canons regular who took their name from Prémontré (diocese of Soissons), where in 1120 they were founded by St. Norbert of Xanten (v.) according to the rule of St. Augustine. Arising from the apostolic poverty movement of itinerant preachers and from the canonical reform of the Gregorian era, the branch of the P. soon constituted — in contrast to the other Canons Regular — a distinct order.
I. HISTORY
In 1126 they received apostolic confirmation. For the formation of the observance and of the organization, the Cistercians served as a model, especially after at Prémontré, under Bl. Hugh of Fosses (d. c. 1164), who succeeded St. Norbert after his elevation in 1126 to the archiepiscopal see of Magdeburg, the ordering of the customs, the liturgy and the organization was defined in its substance. The abbot of Prémontré becomes abbot general, the relations among the monasteries are based on the principle of the daughter house, and the supreme power resides with the General Chapter. The abbots of St. Martin (Laon), Floreffe and Cuissy enjoyed the prerogatives of patres Ordinis. The attempts at centralization advanced by the mother house were opposed by along the monasteries of Saxony, whose center was Magdeburg; their prelates retained the title of provost, and from 1239 onward sent a representative to the General Chapter only every third year. In contrast to the Cistercians, the P. had from the outset female convents, indeed double monasteries; from 1140 onward, however, these were moved to distant regions. Favored by feudal lords and bishops zealous for reform, the Order spread quickly, especially in France and in the Empire; in union with the missionary movement and the Crusades, the P. expanded also into Eastern Europe and even into the Holy Land. East of the Elbe they furthermore carried out a great mission of colonization. To an early life of solitude there was soon joined the care of souls, exercised first of all in the countryside, which led to an increase in possessions and to the formation of the system of incorporated parishes. The P. subsequently also established cathedral chapters and episcopal sees in the territories of German colonization (Brandenburg, Havelberg, Ratzeburg, Riga).
The 12th-13th centuries were the most flourishing period of the Order, which was distinguished by a very strict observance, by works of charity, of preaching, by personal holiness, mystical devotion and a notable intellectual life. Representatives of this period are Bl. Godfrey of Cappenberg (d. 1127), Gilbert of Neuffontaines (d. 1152), Evermod (d. 1174), Frederick of Mariengaarde (d. 1175), Isfrid (d. 1204), Hermann Joseph (d. 1241), Bronislava (d. 1252) and Gertrude of Altenberg (d. 1297); the writers Anselm of Havelberg (d. 1158), Philip of Harveng (d. 1183), Adam Scotus (d. 1212), Zacharias Chrysopolitanus (12th century). In Paris, in 1252, the Order opened a college of studies. In 1320 there were established districts, called Circarie, in order to facilitate the regular visitations.
In the late Middle Ages the P. too underwent a period of relaxation, but in the 15th century attempts at reform were not lacking. Commendatory abbacies long hindered the recovery, especially in the mother house itself: in the Nordic countries the Order fell victim to the Protestant Reformation, while in Italy, Greece and the Holy Land it died out entirely. Following the Tridentine Reform, however, it managed to enjoy a new flowering. In 1628-31 new statutes were issued; monasteries and churches were restored in the splendor of Baroque art; colleges of studies arose at Salamanca (1568), Louvain (1571), Pont-à-Mousson (1603), Cologne (1617), Rome (1618) and Prague (1637). In the course of the Reform, the Spanish P. and the Lorraine congregation "antiqui rigoris" attempted to break away from the common observance. In 1750 Benedict XIV reconfirmed the privilege of parishes for the P., and in 1751 the Premonstratensian Third Order assumed an organized form.
P. distinguished in this period: among the martyrs of Gorcum, Adrian Beckam and James Lacoupe; Nicolas Pseaume (d. 1575), bishop of Verdun and zealous promoter of the Tridentine Reform, the hagiographer C. van der Sterre (d. 1652), the historians of the Order J. Lepaige (d. 1650) and Ch. L. Hugo (d. 1739), the theologian G. Hirnheim (d. 1679), the writers L. Goffiné (d. 1719) and G. Lienhardt (d. 1783). The P. published at Tongerloo vol. LIII of the Acta SS. The French Revolution and the secularization in Austria, Germany, Poland and Spain inflicted very grave damage on the Order; the bond of organization therefore ceased. Yet the 19th century saw a new recovery that became particularly fruitful in Belgium, while the external organization is due predominantly to the efforts of the P. in Bohemia and Austria (1869-83). In 1937 the abbot general established his residence in Rome, and the last redaction of the statutes took place in 1947. The habit of the P. is of white wool.
II. SPIRITUALITY
The P. combine the contemplative life with the active life of the pastoral ministry; their spirituality therefore manifests a tendency toward the practical life, whose sources are the liturgy, Sacred Scripture and priestly experience; fundamental ideas: imitation of Christ in poverty, charity, hospitality; to these is added devotion to the Cross, the Eucharist and Mary.
III. LITURGY
In the 12th century the Premonstratensians used the Roman (Rhenish) liturgy with Cistercian and Cluniac elements, which influenced the liturgy of the Dominicans; in the years 1618-22 the Roman liturgy was for the most part adopted.
IV. ORGANIZATION
Abbot general, elected for life, 4 definitor abbots, 4 assistants to the abbot general. The general chapter is held every 6 years. The professed number 1,500 in 5 Circaries (Austrian, Brabantine, Bohemian, French, Hungarian) and in new foundations in the United States and in Germany; there are 7 monasteries of the Second Order; at the head of the Circaries are vicars general. They also have missions in the Belgian Congo, in India, Brazil and in Denmark; various forms of the apostolate are: the reparatory Mass, the Eucharistic Crusade, the mission of the "traveling chapels" in the German diaspora, etc. - See plate CXXXII.
Bibliography20 works
Agostino Huber