ON BL. NICHOLAS, LAY BROTHER OF THE CISTERCIAN ORDER, AT VILLERS IN BRABANT,
c. THE YEAR 1300
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY
Nicholas, lay brother of the Cistercian Order at Villers in Brabant. (Bl.)
H. D.
[1] Of Blessed Nicholas In the calendars of the Cistercians and Benedictines Nicholas, the lay brother of Villers, is praised today here and there with the appellation of blessed. So in Henriquez Menologium Cisterciense (Antwerp, 1630), p. 376., in Bucelin [Menologium Benedictinum (Feldkirch, 1655), p. 768; A. Raisse, Ad Natales sanctorum Belgii Ioannis Molani auctarium (Douai, 1626), p. 363, announces our Nicholas, whose birthday he seems not to have known, on the 6th day of December, which is sacred to his namesake of Myra.], in the calendar of the saints and blesseds of the Cistercian Order [Kalendarium Cisterciense seu martyrologium sacri ordinis Cisterciensis romanis rubricis accommodatum (Paris, 1689), p. 311.], in the catalogue of the blesseds of Villers compiled in the year 1650 In the Brussels codex 7776 – 81, fol. 101 – 102v.. In the manuscript martyrology of Villers, of the eighteenth century, which is kept in our possession, he is announced in these words: At Villers, the deposition of Blessed Nicholas, lay brother, shepherd of the same monastery, who refreshed his body once a day, subdued his limbs day and night with a hair shirt, and used a very hard log for a pillow; and when he had lived most holily in the order for fifty years, he died happily in the Lord [Codex of the Bollandist Museum 429. On the codex R. Lechat has spoken, Les Bienheureux de Villers, in Anal. Boll., vol. XLII.]. These words are excerpted from the book on the deeds of the illustrious men of the monastery of Villers, from that part which is about the lay brothers famous above others for holiness [Martène and Durand, Thesaurus novus anecdotorum, vol. III, p. 1364; M. G., Scr. vol. XXV, p. 234.].
[2] in a collation on three lay brothers Of the manner in which the chronicle of Villers was first written, which afterwards was often augmented and reworked, even after Lives had been added to the deeds of the holy abbots of the place, it is superfluous to discourse again Compare G. Waitz in M. G., volume cited, p. 192 – 95.. Nor does it seem necessary to bring forward the elogium of Blessed Nicholas such as we read it in the finished histories of the monastery. For it has befallen us to find, in the Brussels codex 4459 – 70, of parchment, which formerly belonged to Villers, written at the beginning of the fourteenth century, on fol. 207v – 210v, a narrative about three brothers of the same monastery, Arnold, Hermann and our Nicholas Catal. Lat. Brux., vol. I, p. 395 – 98., which is the source of all those things which have been written about them in the History of Villers. That learned man G. Waitz inspected the codex not very carefully, if indeed he inspected it, since he had falsely persuaded himself that the Villers monuments contained in it had already been published by Baron de Reiffenberg [M. G., volume cited, p. 194. Compare Annuaire de la Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique, 1842, p. 129 – 36; 1846, p. 103 – 116.], and therefore considered it useless. The narrative begins with no heading prefixed, yet in the index of the codex it is aptly called A certain Collation. For a collation, in a term very common among monks, was the name for the common evening reading or conversation about things salutary to the soul, of which, unless I am mistaken, the Deeds of the Saints of Villers themselves speak thus: When these religious fathers came to the common colloquy and related the deeds of the holy fathers, they were very scrupulous lest they should go too far by saying less or more. Whence, the colloquy having broken up, drawing the prior aside in the auditorium, they confessed their past fault, having become more cautious for the future M. G., volume cited, p. 235, 16.. That the history of the three lay brothers was read or narrated in a collation is likely [Besides our Nicholas, Arnold and Hermann are listed in the menologies cited above and in the catalogue of the blesseds of Villers, the latter indeed on the 9th, the former on the 3rd of April, not however in the martyrology or Bollandist codex 429.].
[3] the elogium, The anonymous writer takes his beginning from the vision of John Voerloep, or the Forerunner, as it is in the common History Martène and Durand, volume cited, p. 1357; M. G., volume cited, p. 233., celebrating Mass before the three lay brothers, whose master he was Same place.. Then he narrates the holy way of life of each of the brothers and sets out what was worthy of record. The anonymous author writes that John II, duke of Brabant (1294 – 1312), afterwards buried at St. Gudula in Brussels, called them to himself in order to commend his affairs to their prayers. He therefore set his hand to the pen after the year 1312. Yet he is to be believed to have written not many years after. For he heard some things from witnesses who lived with the holy brothers, such as the one who was present at Hermann's death (n. 4), and another, a man of holy life, whom, since he was still living, he did not think fit to name (n. 5). He brings forward not a few things which, as they are usually noted by a contemporary or one close in time, so they are unknown to or passed over by posterity. Let examples be the vernacular name of John the Forerunner, that he was born at Louvain, that he was handsome in appearance; likewise the native soil of each of the brothers and other things which were cut away as of lesser moment by those who afterwards compiled the history of Villers.
Narrative on Blessed Nicholas and His Companions
Nicholas, lay brother of the Cistercian Order at Villers in Brabant. (Bl.)
From the codex of the Royal Library of Brussels 4459 – 70. Compare Preliminary Commentary, no. 2.
〈Collation on three lay brothers of Villers.〉
[1] Three brothers of Villers. In the monastery of Villers there is said to have been a monk whose name was John Voerloep [Otherwise John the Forerunner. Above, p. 277, n. 3. Voorlooper in Flemish is forerunner. Blessed John is inscribed in the martyrology of Villers on the 28th day of August. Codex of the Bollandist Museum 429.], a native of Louvain, beautiful in body but much more beautiful in religion. For he had the face of one going to Jerusalem. He, being one day at our grange of Fleppe [Fleppe, now Velp, or Opvelp and Neervelp in Brabant, 11 km. S.-E. from Louvain. On the cell at Fleppe (c. 1185 – 1197) read de Moreau, L' Abbaye de Villers (Brussels, 1909), pp. 25, 200 – 201.], prepared himself to say Mass. There were staying there at that time three religious men, who and of what kind they were I shall relate afterwards. And behold, these three with one voice ask to be admitted to the participation of the body of Christ. Hearing this he refused, alleging that the custom of the order at that corrected, first nunc cod. time was contrary to their wishes. Hearing this, those men fell silent, committing their desire to him who had stirred it up in them. Without delay the monk, vested in the sacred garments, begins the divine office, the brothers assisting him. And when the hour of reception was at hand, he is rebuked by the Lord, who did not wish the aforesaid brothers to be cheated of their desire. Then he, feeling that it was hard for him to strive against it, set aside a particle of the body of Christ and finished the Mass. When it was finished, he told the brothers what he had heard and at once communicated them with the body of Christ. Fed with it, they rendered thanks to the Lord, as was fitting and just.
[2] Arnold, a pious man, The first of these three was Brother Arnold [Elogium in the History of the monastery of Villers, book III, c. 4, Martène and Durand, volume cited, p. 1364; M. G., volume cited, p. 234, n. 27.] of Cumpte Cumpte, unless I am mistaken Cumptich in Brabant, 15 km. S.-S.-E. from Louvain., multor, a devout and pious man. For before his conversion he had visited the sepulchre of the Lord and the holy places adjoining it, having the desire to visit them again if he could. One day a wanton and forward woman came to him, saying that she wished to change her state for the better, provided he would help her in the necessities of life. And he, zealous for the salvation of his neighbours, consented to her request and gave the woman the necessaries as far as he could. But she, going away and mocking the man's simplicity, wove a ditty about him and sang it as leader in the round-dance, dancing. When the dance was over, what had been done is reported to the man of God. And he, giving himself to prayer, besought the Lord domino cod. for her. And behold, when the prayer was finished, that leader of the song is seized with sickness and want, and, compelled by necessity, begs pardon. And the man of God at once forgave her from his heart and did her good until the end of his life. There flowed together to him, then, since he was a man of great name, religious men, conversing with one another about the joys of heavenly felicity, about the miseries of the world, the punishments of hell, or the salutary admonitions of the Scriptures, very often feeling there the sweetness of inner delight. There ran to him also very many seculars, some entangled in a most grievous habit of sinning, others weighed down by temptations, some ruined by oppressions corrected in the margin, first aparationibus., asking the help of his prayers. And he, condescending to them in the spirit of gentleness, gave them to drink salutary admonitions according to their capacity, in a manner made all things to all. 1 Cor. 9, 22. These and many other things worthy of memory he did. But these we have written lest so great a lamp be wholly hidden under a bushel.
[3] Hermann, a gentle man, The second of these three was Brother H〈ermann〉 [Elogium in the History of the monastery of Villers, book III, c. 2, Martène and Durand, volume cited, p. 1362; M. G., volume cited, p. 234, n. 25.] of the land of Looz The land of Looz, Looz, in the province of Limburg, 11 km. W. from Tongres., a gentle and merciful man, once the attendant of the brother of whom we wrote above; nor did he fall short of him, but clung to his footsteps; uncared-for in body, he despised earthly things, intent on heavenly ones. For he was not of the number of those whose god is their belly, who feed on the king's food; but, living soberly, he abstained from meat and wine even in grave infirmities. Phil. 3, 19, Dan. 1, 13. He was so pure and clear that sometimes by a mere look he knew the states of men. A certain monk, secretly placed in a perilous state of mind, on one occasion passed before him, and in an instant he knew his state. He called him to himself, reproved him, and sent him away amended. One day this man of God fell sick almost to death, and one of our brothers, coming upon him and sitting beside him, began to weep most abundantly, announcing to him that death was near to him. When he had heard this, he said: "This infirmity of mine is not unto death; but you, brother, will shortly depart from the body." John 11, 14. And behold, after a little time had elapsed, the man of God rose again. But that brother, seized by sickness, entered upon the way of all flesh. See, reader, how this man shone with the spirit of prophecy.
[4] devoted to works of charity, He was also so devoted to works of charity and mercy that he would take the old garments of the brothers in exchange for new ones, provided he had the compensation of the old cloths for clothing the poor. And sometimes, Martha set aside, he sat at the feet of the Lord, at leisure for contemplation, with Mary. Luke 10, 39. In which he was sometimes rapt in spirit and in ecstasy of mind, bringing back from it a great brightness of light. And when he was asked by the brothers to set forth something for the sake of edification, he related simple examples, exhorting them to purity and cleanness of heart. But the depth of his understanding he rarely opened, because few could understand him. In whatever place he stayed very many came together to him, but above all Beguines, seeking help and counsel and commending themselves to his prayers; many were converted to the Lord by his exhortation. He avoided exalted persons, although he was much venerated by them, but he treated people of middling station graciously. Detractors and persecutors and those who venerated him he passed by with a deaf ear. He loved very much the Blessed Virgin, the abbess of our order; for she had frequently appeared to him. And so, having completed fifty years and more in the order, he was afflicted with the dropsy. And as he grew worse from day to day, he was fortified with the sacraments sacramenticis cod. of the church. And when one of the monks asked him whether he dreaded purgatory, he answered: "No, but I shall enter the glory of the Lord, to live for ever." And although many wished to be present at the hour of his death, it happened otherwise by God's ordering. For he died at Kivilipont Kivilipont, now Chevelipont, Chevlipont, near Baisy-Thy (canton of Genappe)., because on account of his excessive swelling he could not be carried to the abbey without danger. And when he was about to give up his soul, there arrived one of our brothers who was five miles away from him, because he had been admonished in spirit to put everything aside and be present at his death. And so it came about that, with him present and the brother who had looked after him, he departed from this world. And behold, the mother of mercy appeared there and led his soul to the heavens; and although they had called a certain brother who was working in the house and the household, none ullus cod. of them was present; for, as I believe, they were not held worthy. One of them told me that in his life he had never tasted in spirit so great a sweetness and delight as he perceived at that hour, nor did it end at once, but it remained in him for three days.
[5] Nicholas, once a shepherd of sheep. The third of these was Brother Nicholas [Elogium in the History of the monastery of Villers, book III, c. 3, Martène and Durand, volume cited, p. 1364; M. G., volume cited, p. 234, n. 26.] of Milijn [Milijn, unless I am mistaken Mielen-sur-Aelst, in the province of Limburg, 8 km. S. from the town of Saint-Trond.], a shepherd of sheep, a man of small stature, a most hard chastiser of his body. If you had seen him you would have thought you had seen Arsenius Archenium cod. or one of the ancient dwellers in the desert, since the world was crucified to him and he to the world; black indeed in body, yet beautiful in mind. Gal. 6, 14. He for many years ate only once a day and night and day subdued his limbs with a hair shirt corrected, first cilicium.. Very rarely did he go up to his bed, but in his room, in the place where he prayed, there he also slept, using a log for a pillow. Very many men were accustomed to come to him for the sake of edification, and he himself too for a long time showed works of mercy and charity to his neighbours. And when he had lived fifty years in the order, he died in a good old age, and was buried in the tombs of his brothers not a adds cod. far from the aforesaid Brother H〈ermann〉. And when the lord John of good memory, duke of Brabant John II, duke of Brabant, 1294 – 1312., buried at St. Gudula in Brussels, saw dangers threatening himself and the whole toteque cod. land, he had these brothers called to him, and, trusting much in their goodness, most humbly asked for their prayers; and out of reverence for them both he himself and others honoured the monastery of Villers. It happened moreover one day, Brother Nicholas having recently died, that a certain foreigner was visiting many places of religious to obtain suffrages for the soul of a certain man newly dead. At length he came to a certain man of holy life, whom it is not expedient to name at present. He said to him: A revelation. "Do not be anxious any longer for this soul; for I have received by revelation that this and many others were delivered at the passing of a certain Brother Nicholas of Villers." He, made glad, related this to our brothers staying at Fleppe, to the honour of God, who is blessed for ever.
[6] A prediction of Brother Arnold. Brother what follows is written in smaller letters. Arnold, the first of these three, was on one occasion called to Louvain by a very devout lady who was held by a most grievous illness, and while he was present there arrived one of the daughters of that lady, who had then taken up her novitiate according to the custom of the Cistercian Order. But since the day was already declining, the novice, overcome with grief, addresses the man of God, saying: "What shall I do, dearest brother? Piety bids me be present at my mother's death, but the law of the novitiate does not permit me to spend the night outside the monastery." And he, sympathizing with the weeping novice, said: "Go securely to the monastery; your mother on the thirtieth day will first reach her crisis [Creticare, to fall into the crisis, as the physicians call it. Ducange, under the word.]." Hearing this, the novice, going on to the monastery, does not cease to count each day, and on the thirtieth day, according to the word of the brother
the mother was relieved, and afterwards served the Lord most devoutly for many days. Know, however, reader, that the man of God did not foretell these things by experience of the medical art, of which he knew nothing, but by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, who manifested many things to him for the profit of his neighbours, to the praise and glory of God, who is blessed for ever.
[7] A revelation to Brother Hermann. At a certain time there came to Brother Hermann a certain Beguine, to ask him to pray for the soul of her brother, recently dead. But when she had come to the place in which the man of God was staying, she could not have access to him, but, resting a little while, she told no one the cause of her coming. The aforesaid brother, at length coming forth, said: "Let that Beguine who is anxious about the death of a certain white monk come up and speak to me." And she, marvelling beyond measure how he had come to know the cause of her coming with no one revealing it, comes up, asking him, provided he was in the state of those to be saved, to be willing to intercede for the aforesaid white monk, her brother. And he, exhorting her not to despair of his salvation, bade her, consoled by him, go away in peace. Why do you marvel, reader? Such things are hidden from the wise and prudent, but are revealed to little ones, as he himself says in the Gospel, who is blessed for ever. Matt. 11, 25.