Abbey Magazine Fall/Winter 2020

ABBEYMAGAZINE
by St. Norbert Abbey
ISSUE 14
900 Years
1121 – 2021

ABBEY MAGAZINE
ABBEY
MAGAZINE
2
ST. NORBERT ABBEY
DE PERE, WISCONSIN
Abbey Magazine
Fall/Winter 2020
Volume 14
Abbey Magazine is a publication of
the St. Norbert Abbey community that
illumines life at the abbey and welcomes
readers into that life, mind, and spirit.
ABBOT
Rt. Rev. Dane Radecki, O. Praem.
PUBLISHER - EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Very Rev. Bradley Vanden
Branden, O. Praem.
MANAGING EDITOR
Gina Sanders Larsen
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Rev. Michael Brennan, O. Praem.
Rev. Jay Fostner, O. Praem.
Kathie Tilot
CREATIVE AND DESIGN
Montie Chavez, Sherwood Fellows
GUEST AUTHORS
Rosemary Sands, DML
Kathy Tilot
Karen Mand
Rev. Stephen J. Rossey, O. Praem.
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Montie Chavez, Jerry Turba
PLEASE SUBMIT LETTERS,
ARTICLES, AND INQUIRIES TO:
Very Rev. Bradley Vanden
Branden,O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey
1016 N. Broadway
De Pere, WI 54115
e-mail: prior@norbertines.org
phone: (920) 337-4311
web: norbertines.org
PRINTED BY
Heyrman & Green Bay Blue

FEATURES
THE MURALS OF
SAINT NORBERT
ABBEY
04.
THIS IS WHY:
NEW LOOK AND
FEEL
08.
NORBERTINE
WOMEN
10.
SAINTS AND
BLESSEDS
12.
FROM THE
ARCHIVES
14.
NEWS & VIEWS
INFORMATION
18.
COMMUNIO
20.

ABBEY MAGAZINE
4



Letter from the Abbot
DEAR FRIENDS OF NORBERT ABBEY,
On Christmas Day 1120, Norbert of Xanten and some of his followers settled in the
valley of Prémontré near Laon, France. A year later, 30 men professed vows, committing
themselves to a life of prayer and ministry as canons, and Norbert selected the
Rule of Saint Augustine to instill discipline and order. Over the past 900 years, the
Norbertine order—also known as the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré or the
Premonstratensians—grew, flourished, diminished, and then expanded worldwide
with renewed spirit.
This Advent, the entire Norbertine order begins a jubilee year, celebrating the 900th
anniversary since its founding. In the Old Testament, jubilee is an experience of
renewal. In Norbertine spirituality, there is also a sense of rebirth through a commitment
to a life of conversion. Each of us is called to renew ourselves daily.
01
Renewing oneself requires a humble
recognition of one’s own weakness and
sinfulness. But recognition is only the
first step; renewal cannot take place
until a person also acts to convert weakness
into strength, sin into grace. Years
ago, a presenter shared with our Norbertine
community her understanding of
conversion. She explained that each of
us has a “rotten box” next to our heart,
a place where we bury hurts, rejections,
and bad experiences. Sometimes we can
get stuck in our rotten boxes, swimming
around in the negative experiences of
life. She suggested that renewal is about
emptying one’s collection of negativity
through forgiveness and healing.
A jubilee offers us just such an opportunity
to empty our rotten boxes and open
ourselves up to the joyous grace of God.
We Norbertines will mark this jubilee
year with liturgies, lectures, and special
events. We will note the long tradition
of Norbert in the development of abbeys,
convents, and foundations all around the
world. At the same time, I call each of us
to engage in personal renewal and the
renewal of our own local communities. A
conversion of our ways will link us with
the original spirit of Norbert and his followers
in 1120 in the valley of Prémontré.
In Christ through Mary and Norbert,
Rt. Rev. Dane Radecki, O. Praem.
Abbot, St. Norbert Abbey
| Letter from the Abbot

02
ABBEY MAGAZINE



900 th Jubilee Prayer
Of the founding of The Norbertine Order
1121 – 2021
God, Our Father, in your eternal
wisdom and unending mercy you
called Norbert of Xanten to
reform the Church of his time.
Inspired by the example of the
apostles and first Christians,
he gathered others to live a common
life in order to be sent out
to preach and announce the Good
News. Wearing the white habit
as a sign of the Resurrection, he
was led by you to found the
first Norbertine Community
900 years ago in Prémontré.
In gratitude, we celebrate this
Jubilee Year of our presence
and humble service in the
Church. Inspire us with the
zeal of Saint Norbert to be witnesses
of your loving presence
in the world today.
We ask this through Christ,
our Lord,
Amen.
St. Norbert, pray for us.
03
| 900th Jubilee Prayer

ABBEY MAGAZINE
04
Prepared for Every
Good Work of Art
THE MURALS AT ST. NORBERT ABBEY
By Fr. Stephen J. Rossey, O. Praem.
Priest, artist, teacher, and historian
In celebration of 900 years of the Norbertine
Order, the community of St. Norbert Abbey
created and installed nine murals to honor the
life’s work of St. Norbert. In this issue of Abbey
Magazine, we share three of these murals that are
especially illustrative of his powerful conversion
and early vision.
The murals are constructed of layered panels
that combine the background of the Park Abbey
cloister windows (this abbey was established in
1129 near Leuven, Belgium, and the abbot commissioned
the windows in 1635), the engravings
of Cornelius Galle, and details of the St. Norbert
Abbey abbot’s chapel windows designed by
Francis Deck. Galle, born in 1576, was a Flemish
printmaker on whose work the Park Abbey
windows are based. Deck was a designer for the
Frei Associates of St. Louis Missouri and creator
of all of the windows for St. Norbert Abbey.
The large panels contemporize and encapsulate
the Augustinian quotation, “Ever Ancient—Ever
New,” and tell the story from Norbert’s conversion
to his founding of the Norbertine Order in
1120 to his canonization in 1582.
The background of each panel features an
enlargement of one of Galle’s engravings of an
episode from Norbert’s life, printed on maple
wood to match the wood detailing in the recent
St. Norbert Abbey renovation. Superimposed on
this background is an appropriate detail from a
stained glass window from the abbot’s chapel
in his private quarters in St. Norbert Abbey.
Because these windows are seldom seen by the
public, this is a way of sharing them with visitors.
These panels are mounted on acrylic.
Preparados para toda
buena obra de arte
LOS MURALES DE LA ABADÍA DE
SAN NORBERTO
Como parte de la celebración de los 900 años de
la orden de los norbertinos, la comunidad de la
abadíade San Norberto creó e instaló nueve murales
para honrar el trabajo y vida de San Norberto.
En estaedición de la revista Abbey Magazine,
compartimos tres de estos murales que ilustran en
especial su poderosa conversión y su visión inicial.
Los murales están construidos con paneles en
capas que combinan el fondo de las ventanas del
claustro de la abadía del Parque (esta abadía se
estableció en 1129 cerca de Lovaina, Bélgica, y el
abad comisionó las ventanas en 1635), los grabados
de Cornelius Galle y los detalles de las ventanas
de la capilla del abad de la abadía de San Norberto,
diseñadas por Francis Deck. Galle, nacido en 1567,
fue un grabador flamenco en cuyo trabajo se basan
las ventanas de la abadía del Parque. Deck era un
diseñador para Frei Associates de San Luis, Misuri,
y el creador de todas las ventanas de la abadía
de San Norberto. Los grandes paneles contemporizan
y encapsulan la cita agustiniana: "Siempre
antigua, siempre nueva", y cuentan la
historia desde la conversión de Norberto a la
fundación de la orden de los norbertinos en
1120 hasta su canonización en 1582.
El fondo de cada panel muestra una ampliación de
uno de los grabados de Galle que ilustra un episodio
de la vida de Norberto, está impreso en madera
de maple que hace juego con los detalles de madera
de la reciente renovación de la abadía de San
Norberto. Sobre este fondo se superpone un detalle
apropiado de un vitral de los aposentos privados
del abad de la capilla en la abadía de San Norberto.
Ya que el público rara vez puede ver estas ventanas,
es una forma de compartirlas con los visitantes.
Estos paneles están montados sobre acrílico.



Jerry Turba, abbey photographer, photographed
both the Galle engravings and Deck windows.
Laura Treichel, graphic designer at St. Norbert
College, blended these images with aluminum
bronze anodized standoffs. Independent
Printing, of De Pere, Wisconsin, in conjunction
with Hayes Graphics of Mosinee, Wisconsin,
produced and installed the panels.
Jerry Turba, el fotógrafo de la abadía, fotografió
tanto los grabados de Galle como las ventanas
de Deck. Laura Treichel, diseñadora gráfica de
la Universidad de San Norberto, mezcló estás
imágenes con separadores anodizados de bronce
de aluminio. Independent Printing, de De Pere,
Wisconsin, junto con Hayes Graphics de Mosinee,
Wisconsin, produjeron e instalaron los paneles.
05
NORBERT’S CONVERSION
Norbert of Xanten was a beloved and admired
aristocrat on the spring day in 1115
when he rode his horse toward Freden in
the Germanic countryside. A sudden gust
of wind brought roiling dark clouds, a dust
storm, and broken, blowing tree limbs, all
of which terrorized his steed. A flash of
lightning plowed the soil under Norbert’s
horse, and it threw its rider to the ground
and bolted away. As the storm calmed,
Norbert regained consciousness and his
thoughts turned to God. “Lord, what will
you have me do?”
He heard the answer, “Cease from evil and
do good.”
LA CONVERSIÓN DE NORBERTO
Norberto de Xanten era un amado y admirado
aristócrata que en un día de primavera
de 1115 montaba su caballo hacia Freden
en la campiña germánica. Una súbita ráfaga
de viento trajo nubes oscuras, una tormenta
de polvo, y ramas rotas de árboles que
aterrorizaron a su corcel. Un rayo golpeó la
tierra bajo el caballo de Norberto el cual arrojó
a su jinete al suelo y se dió a la fuga. A
medida que la tormenta amainaba, Norberto
recobró la conciencia y sus pensamientos
se tornaron hacia Dios. "Señor, ¿qué
quieres que haga?"
Él escuchó la respuesta: "Apártate del mal y
haz el bien."
| Preparados para toda buena obra de arte

ABBEY MAGAZINE
06
THE FOUNDATION OF THE
NORBERTINE ORDER
Pope Calixtus II knew Norbert was a strong
itinerant preacher yet wanted to found a
religious order so that its members could inherit
Norbert’s apostolic zeal. Norbert and the
Bishop of Laon in present-day France sought
a place to erect a monastery. When Norbert
arrived in the valley of Prémontré, he spent
the night in a chapel dedicated to St. John
the Baptist and awoke certain it was God’s
chosen place, having also had a vision of men
clothed in white. Soon after, seven of his followers
became his disciples and the Bishop
of Laon gave them the white habit, which
tradition holds was indicated to Norbert by
the Virgin Mary in a vision. The habit came
to represent an external mark of the Norbertines’
internal piety and devotion to Mary.
LA FUNDACIÓN DE LA OR-
DEN DE LOS NORBERTINOS
El Papa Calixto II, sabía que Norberto era un
fuerte predicador itinerante, pero que deseaba
una orden religiosa para que sus miembros
heredaran el fervor apostólico de Norberto.
Norberto y el obispo de Laon, en la actual
Francia, buscaron un lugar para erigir un monasterio.
Cuando Norberto llegó al valle
de Prémontré, pasó la noche en la capilla
dedicada a San Juan Bautista y, después
de tener una visión de hombres vestidos de
blanco, despertó con la certeza de que Dios
había elegido el lugar. Poco después, siete de
sus seguidores se volvieron sus discípulos y el
obispo de Laon les dio un hábito blanco, que la
tradición sostiene que la virgen María se lo indicó
a Norberto en una visión. El hábito llegó
a representar una marca externa de la piedad
interna y devoción a María de los norbertinos.
EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW
1121 – Norbert of Xanten founds the Norbertine Order
Today: The Norbertines honor the history of our founder in the new Murals of
St. Norbert, installed November 2020 at St. Norbert Abbey.



A TEACHER OF DISCIPLINE
UN MAESTRO DE DISCIPLINA
Norbert wished to unite the practices of
piety and penance with the care of souls.
He became an exemplary model of both c
ontemplative and active forms of religious
life. In a vision, St. Augustine of Hippo
appeared to Norbert and offered him a copy
of his rule, The Rule of St. Augustine, which
met Norbert’s requirements for his clerics to
live together in common and under a
common rule according to vows of poverty,
chastity, and obedience. Norbert urged his
followers to labor at their personal sanctification
so they could succeed at their labors
and fulfill their sacred ministries. Norbert
took from St. Augustine his Rule of Life that,
“with one mind and heart in God,” in love
we might be bound.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
We invite you to visit St. Norbert Abbey
to view the mural installation when
COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. In the
meantime, please visit www.norbertines.org
for more history and images.
Stephen J. Rossey, O. Praem.
Priest, artist, teacher, and historian of Norbertine
art and architecture, was instrumental in
the conception and creation of the Murals at St.
Norbert Abbey.
Norberto deseó unir las prácticas de devoción
y penitencia con el cuidado de las almas. Se
volvió un modelo ejemplar de las formas contemplativas
y activas de la vida religiosa. En
una visión, San Agustín de Hipona se le apareció
a Norberto y le ofreció una copia de su
Regla, la Regla de San Agustín, que cumplía
con los requisitos que Norberto tenía para sus
clérigos que consistían en vivir juntos en
comunidad y bajo una Regla común de votos
de pobreza, castidad y obediencia. Norberto
urgió a sus seguidores a trabajar en su santificación
personal para que pudieran tener
éxito en sus labores y cumplir con sus ministerios
sagrados. Norberto tomó de la Regla de
vida de San Agustín que, "con una sola mente
y corazón en Dios," en el amor podremos
estar unidos.
¿QUIERE SABER MÁS?
Lo invitamos a visitar la abadía San Norberto,
para ver la instalación del mural una vez que
se levanten las restricciones por el COVID-19.
Mientras tanto, lo invitamos a visitar www.
norbertines.org para conocer más sobre la historia
y ver más imágenes.
Stephen J. Rossey, O. Praem.
sacerdote, artista, profesor e historiador del arte
y arquitectura norbetina, fue instrumental en la
concepción y creación de los murales de la abadía
de San Norberto.
07
| Preparados para toda buena obra de arte

ABBEY MAGAZINE
This Is
Why:
New
Look
and Feel
This past year, the Communications Office at St. Norbert Abbey has
been working to revamp our communication efforts at the abbey, especially
to promote prospect vocations.
In Fall 2019, the abbey partnered with Sherwood Fellows, a creative
agency based in Dallas, Texas to consider redoing the abbey website.
Through this exciting and new partnership, we are happy to share with
you the fruit of this year long process! The following are some of the
major changes to take place with the launch of our new brand.
1.The first major change for this rebrand, is the new logo. It will
be used on our website and other external communications. The
modern looking fleur-de-lis is both a new, fresh and modern take
on the traditional Marian symbol. Within the logo itself, there are
numerous symbols that are pertinent to the Norbertine tradition
and St. Norbert himself.
2. In addition to the new brand, the abbey’s website has a brand
new and improved look and feel that incorporates a consistent color
palette, icons, and photography. This new site is up to date with
modern design, with complimentary photography and video.
08
3. The last part of our newly redone pieces, is the piece you are
holding, the Abbey Magazine. The magazine has been published for
10 years, and as part of the overall rebranding, it was
decided to redesign the magazine that complements the newly
redesigned website.
01. THE VESICA PISCIS
02. THE CROSIERS
03. THE CROSS OF LORRAINE
04. THE CRESCENT MOON



01. Represents the womb of
Mary, and the coming together
of heaven and earth in the body
of Jesus. It is also a doorway
or portal between worlds, and
symbolizes the intersection
between the heavens and
the earth. This symbol also
resembles a chapel candle flame
and represents the commitment
of the Norbertines to the life of
prayer.
02. The crosier, curved at
the top to enable animals to
be hooked. This relates to the
many metaphorical references
to bishops and abbots as
the shepherds of their flock,
following the metaphor of
Christ as the Good Shepherd.
The Norbertines are shepherds
that follow the good shepherd.
03. St. Norbert was related
to the house of Lorraine and is
often depicted with the Cross
of Lorraine. This is a symbol of
the history of the Norbertines,
of their French roots, and of the
constant dying to self that must
take place in order to bring
about peace.
04. Patristic times saw in
the symbol of the moon a valid
representation of the Church.
Ecclesia is virginal and “dying”
in the encounter with Christ,
the bridegroom; she is maternal
and life-giving in her spousal
relation with the redeemer, and
resplendent in her grace-filled
existence. Fthe crescent moon
represents both the process of
ongoing conversion and also
their strong marian devotion.
09
EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW
1121 – Norbert of Xanten
founds the Norbertine Order
Today: St. Norbert Abbey
honors his mission and
tradition with a vibrant
refreshed logo.
| This Is Why: New Look and Feel

ABBEY MAGAZINE
10
Norbertine
Women in
the U.S.
CLOISTERED OR
ACTIVE, YOUNG
NORBERTINE
CONVENTS IN
CALIFORNIA
ARE GROWING
Norbertine convents are branches on the family tree of the Norbertine
Order that live according to the inspiration of St. Norbert (1080-1134)
and the Rule of St. Augustine. Until 1997, Norbertine sisters and nuns
(also known as canonesses) only had convents in Europe. Fortunately,
since founding two houses in California, American female Norbertine
communities continue to grow in numbers, faith, and spirit..
01. NORBERTINE CANONESSES OF THE BETHLEHEM PRIORY
OF ST. JOSEPH – A Cloistered Community in
Tehachapi , California
Founded in 1997 by St. Michael’s Abbey in Orange, California,
the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph is the first community of
Norbertine Canonesses in the United States. It began with five
women, who initially lived together near the abbey where they
helped on a daily basis. They were given permission to start a
Norbertine community of cloistered nuns and now number more
than 40 canonesses. They have outgrown their living quarters
twice and are raising funds for an expansion project that will
include a new chapel and additional cells for the sisters. The
community devotes itself to prayer and manual labor. The sisters
raise chickens, cows, goats and sheep, make their own cheese (not
yet for sale to the public), and a variety of baked goods (macaroons,
biscotti, granola), jams, and apothecary items (lip balm, lotions and
soap), which they sell through their gift shop, in person and online.
They also have a very successful dog breeding program, “Priory
Puppies,” raising and training Labrador retrievers, Anatolian
Shepherd Dogs and purebred McNabs.
02. CONGREGATION OF NORBERTINE SISTERS – An Active
Community in Wilmington/Costa Mesa, California
n 2006 during the General Chapter meeting, Fr. Thomas Nelson
from St. Michael’s Abbey in California met with two sisters who
were at the meeting as representatives of the Congregation of
Norbertines in the Slovak and Czech Republic. Fr. Thomas asked
if the sisters would consider establishing a community of active
Norbertine sisters in the U.S. The sisters visited California in 2009
for the first time and agreed to Fr. Nelson’s request, but first they
had to learn English.



As guests of St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, Wisconsin,
three sisters from the community of Vrbové
in Slovakia (Sr. Adriana, Sr. Benedikta, and
Sr. Magdalena) studied in the English as a Second
Language program at St. Norbert College during
the 2010 fall semester. They lived in the campus
priory during the week and at St. Norbert Abbey
on the weekends.
In 2011, Sr. Adriana, Sr. Benedikta, and Sr.
Roberta moved to California to start the first
community of active Norbertine sisters in the
U.S. They started out at Ss. Peter & Paul Parish
in Wilmington, and then expanded to St. John the
Baptist Parish in Costa Mesa, also. There are now
12 members; some are still in formation. The sisters
help in the parish schools, the parish bookstore,
and serve the poor in Wilmington through
their more than 700-family Poverty Program.
Rosemary Sands, DML is the Director of the Center for Norbertine Studies at St. Norbert College.
Previously, she was she was an adjunct and visiting instructor in modern foreign languages and literature
(Spanish and Italian), and later served as director of study abroad from 2002 until 2015.She earned her
doctorate in Spanish and Italian from Middlebury College and has a special interest in the history of
Norbertines in Spain (1143-1835).
11
DID YOU KNOW?
There are 225 female
Norbertines in the world.
They have been in existence
since the Norbertine order
was founded in 1121.
Communities of female
Norbertines can be found in 15
houses in 9 countries; 13 are in
Europe and two are in the U.S.
They are known as
canonesses, sisters, or nuns.
Some live in cloistered
communities and others have
active ministries outside the
walls of the convent.
All communities are expected
to be self-sufficient.
| Norbertine Women in the U.S.

ABBEY MAGAZINE
Saints & Blesseds
BLESSED HUGH OF FOSSE – NORBERT’S FIRST DISCIPLE
By Kathie Tilot, Communications Assistant at St. Norbert Abbey
12
If it is true that teamwork makes
the dream work, then Norbert of
Xanten and Hugh of Fosse
were destined for great things.
Norbert’s first disciple was born
in Fosses-la-Ville in present day
Belgium in 1093.
While Norbert possessed the
vision and the ability to inspire
others to an apostolic way of
life, it was Hugh of Fosse who
helped create the structure that
allowed the Premonstratensian
Order to flourish. He was the
detail person of the team, Norbert’s
right-hand man. He was a
source of unity in the Order and
under his leadership the number
of Norbertine foundations grew.
Hugh was the first prior of
Prémontré and later was elected
its first abbot. He built the first
medieval abbey church and
monastery there, helped develop
the statutes of the Order,
compiled the first book of ceremonies
with liturgical directives,
and may have contributed
to the earliest biographies of
Norbert's life.
Hugh of Fosse played a crucial
role in the founding of the Norbertine
Order. Hugh died on
February 10, 1164, and was
buried in the abbey church
at Prémontré. After the suppression
of the abbey during
the French Revolution, Hugh’s
remains were eventually laid to
rest at the abbey of Bois-Seigneur-Isaac
in Belgium.
Kathie Tilot is a spiritual director,
spiritual direction coordinator, and
communications assistant at the
Norbertine Center for Spirituality
at St. Norbert Abbey. She is a
graduate of St. Norbert College.



13
| Saints & Blesseds

ABBEY MAGAZINE
From the Abbey Archives
By Karen Mand, St. Norbert Abbey Librarian and Archivist
14
The first Belgian farmers
settled in the Town of Union
in Door County, Wisconsin,
in 1856 and built the first
church in 1860. In 1893 Bishop
Messmer of the Green Bay
Diocese wrote to the Abbey of
Berne in Holland and arranged
for Norbertine priests to take
control of these Door County
Belgian churches, in part to
combat the influence of Joseph
Rene Vilatte, who was drawing
people away from the Catholic
Church to his “Old Catholic
Church.”
The abbot sent Fr. Bernard
H. Pennings, Fr. Lambert J.
Broens, and a lay brother,
Brother Servatius, all of whom
departed Holland on November
1, 1893. Fr. Pennings was at St.
Mary of the Snows (Delwiche)
until 1898. That same year, the
Norbertines took over St. Joseph
Parish in West De Pere to
rescue it from financial trouble.
From there was laid the foundation
for the present abbey, St.
Norbert High School, St.
Norbert College, Archmere
Academy, and the other schools
and daughter abbeys (Daylesford
, Pennsylvania; and Albuquerque,
New Mexico) in the
U.S.
In 1902, the group of priests
became known as the Priory of
West De Pere. Fr. Pennings was
officially named abbot in 1925
and St. Norbert Priory became
an abbey independent of Berne
Abbey. The priests outgrew
the abbey at St. Norbert College
and broke ground on the
present-day St. Norbert Abbey
in East De Pere in 1956.
It was said of Abbot Pennings
that:
“… whoever has observed him,
especially of late, acknowledges
that he is a prudent, adroit and
resolute man” (Fr. Van Heertum,
circa 1900).
He had a democratic way of
governing, always consulting
with confreres in making a
decision. He kept meticulous
records of all expenses, as
evidenced by the number of
ledgers that exist in the abbey
archives. He was firmly rooted
in his faith and had a special
devotion to St. Joseph.
Karen Mand is the St. Norbert
Abbey librarian and archivist.
Previously, she worked in the
library at St. Norbert College for
more than 40 years. Mand holds
a degree in library science from
Holy Family College in Manitowoc,
Wisconsin.



15
↑ Delwiche, Door County 1898.
Fr. Pennings is second from the right.
← Fr. Pennings’ certificate of U.S. citizenship
EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW
1121 – Norbert of Xanten
founds the Norbertine Order
Today: St. Norbert Abbey
remains faithful to his
message in the creation of
our updated web site at
www.norbertines.org.
| From the Abbey Archives

ABBEY MAGAZINE
16
Fr. Pennings, Brother Servatius, and
Fr. Broens (the original three who
came from Holland in 1893)



Early Letters Home
from Holland
In 1996 the early correspondence between
Wisconsin Norbertines and their families
and confrères at the Berne Abbey in Holland
was collected and translated from
Dutch to English in Letters Written in Good
Faith, a book by Dr. Walter Lagerway, Ph.D.,
published to mark the 100 years since
Norbertines first arrived in Wisconsin. It is
a compelling read for anyone who marvels
at the tenacity of early settlers. Norbertine
novices also study the text during their
first year of priestly formation. An excerpt
follows from a letter written by Fr. Pennings
to his family and friends in Holland
from his new home in Delwiche, Wisconsin,
on Dec 15, 1893:
(The cabin) is quite small, but big enough for
this winter, now that there are just the two of
us. We do not have our own kitchen as yet, as it
is not at all that easy to set up a new housekeeping.
We are short of nothing buy everything,
says Brother Servatius, and so it is. Still
we already have something: namely a tin pail
and a shaving dish, (that is our silverware); a
wash basin with a soap dish and a glass; we
also had a bottle for drinking water, but alas,
already on the first night [the water] froze
shattering it, because our stove had gone out
too soon; in addition [we have] one bed, two
chairs from the church, a table and a lamp,
plus a small chest, a hat and clothes stand and
a broom, that’s it, I think.…
Next Saturday we are having our first wedding.
It is the practice here to marry on
Saturday. I am told that after the Mass a
bunch of farmers stand at the door of
the church to salute the bride and groom by
firing all the guns they can gather for
the occasion. The bridegroom is the son of my
neighbor and would have married
before, if there had been a priest, [and] that is
why, with the permission of the
Bishop, it is now taking place in Advent.
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| Early Letters Home from Holland

ABBEY MAGAZINE
18
InFormation
MEET AQUINAS AND VINCENT – NORBERTINE
NOVICES NOW TAKE RELIGIOUS NAMES
By Michael Brennan, O. Praem
Director of Vocations at St. Norbert Abbey
In our Judeo-Christian
tradition, the taking of a new
name is symbolic of entering a
new stage of life. In Scripture,
Abram becomes Abraham; and
Sarai, Sarah. Jesus called Simon
to follow him and renamed him
Peter. When a person is baptized
or confirmed, he or she receives
a new name symbolizing a deeper
commitment to Christ.
After being elected the seventh
abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, Abbot
Dane Radecki, O. Praem.,
decided to bring back the
abbey’s religious naming tradition,
which had fallen out of
practice. Together with the formation
committee, the abbot
also considered some more
practical factors: sometimes a
young man entering religious life
does not have a Christian first
name; there can be confusion
when a community has multiple
members with the same name;
and the young men currently in
formation are enthusiastic about
reviving the tradition.
Now each candidate for the
novitiate submits a list of three
religious names along with
his reasons for choosing each.
Names of Norbertine saints or
blesseds are encouraged but
not required. The abbot then
selects one name from the list
and announces it at the candidate’s
vestition.



FRATER AQUINAS DANNY ALLEN
FRATER VINCENT MICHAEL TAFACORY
AGE: 26 AGE: 31
HOMETOWN: Benson, North Carolina
HOMETOWN: Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
HOME PARISH: Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral
DEGREE: B.A in Piano Pedagogy from
Campbell University
DATE OF VESTITION: Aug. 28, 2020
I first learned of St. Norbert Abbey from
my spiritual director. The community life
and its emphasis on contemplation, liturgy,
and the higher education apostolate resonated
with my vocational call.
MY THREE NAMES
St. Thomas Aquinas is my favorite saint,
and I consider him a friend and important
intercessor. I speak with him in prayer
every single day.
St. John Henry Newman and I are both
converts to Catholicism. His hymn “Lead,
Kindly Light” was a great prayer for me
during my discernment.
St. Augustine is an excellent intercessor,
because he is an example of how God can
make a great sinner into a great saint!
HOME PARISH: Stella Maris
DEGREE: Business Administration
and Marketing
DATE OF VESTITION: Aug. 28, 2020
I chose St. Norbert Abbey because
communio is so important to the Norbertines;
I also appreciate their beautiful educational
apostolates. I feel at home among
the confreres and know this way of life is a
gift from God.
MY THREE NAMES
St. Vincent De Paul and I share a passion
for working and praying with people who
are experiencing homelessness and other
hardships.
Our spiritual father, St. Joseph, is the
patron saint of the universal church and a
man who for me represents family, leadership,
and Jesus himself.
St. Adrian of Middleburg is a Norbertine
saint who was a martyr for the faith. He
had an especially strong devotion to the
Eucharist and the papacy.
19
| InFormation

ABBEY MAGAZINE
Events and Celebrations
JOIN IN THE JUBILEE
From Advent 2020 through January 2022, the Norbertines of St. Norbert
Abbey are planning special events to honor and celebrate our 900th
Jubilee. You and your family are invited to join us. Please take care to
confirm these functions in advance of your arrival and learn more about
our complete schedule of jubilee events at www.norbertines.org/900.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
01. Norbertine Composers Concert
20
Music has always been an integral part of the history of the
Norbertine Order, especially the De Pere Canonry. In celebration
of the 900th anniversary of the Norbertine Order, this concert is
presented to help honor that tradition. All of the music used in
this concert was composed by Norbertines, such as Dobbelsteen,
Vanden Elsen, and Srmovsky. Please join for an afternoon of
motets, hymns, and instrumental works.
WHEN:
Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 2 pm
WHERE:
St. Norbert Abbey Church
02. Mass with St. Norbert College Chamber Singers
WHEN:
Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 10 am
WHERE:
St. Norbert Abbey Church
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
01. Habitat for Humanity House Build
WHEN:
April-June 2021
ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO
CHANGE OR CANCELLATION DUE TO
THE CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19).
EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW
1121 –
Norbert of Xanten founds the
Norbertine Order
Today: St. Norbert Abbey
renews his call for vocations
with a heartfelt and authentic
video invitation.



02. Jubilee Masses at Norbertine Parishes
St. Norbert College Parish 900th Jubilee Mass
& Archway Blessing
WHEN:
Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 10 am
WHERE:
123 Grant St., De Pere, WI
Holy Cross Church 900th Jubilee Mass
& Parish Picnic
WHEN:
TBA, June 2021
WHERE:
3009 Bay Settlement Road, Green Bay, WI
Our Lady of Lourdes Parish 900th Jubilee Masses
WHEN:
Sat., Apr. 17 at 4:30 pm;
Sun., Apr. 18, 2021 at 8:15 & 10:15 am
21
WHERE:
1307 Lourdes Avenue, De Pere, WI
St. Willebrord Parish 900th Jubilee Mass
& St. Willy’s Jam
WHEN:
Sunday, June 13, 2021 at 10:45 am
WHERE:
209 S Adams St., Green Bay, WI
03. Tour the Abbey
NO PUBLIC LITURGIES OR VISITORS
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE INTO 2021
Please contact (Michael Poradek, Special Assistant to the Abbot)
at MICHAEL.PORADEK@NORBERTINES.ORG with questions
about Jubilee events.
| Events and Celebrations

ABBEY MAGAZINE
In Memoriam
22
FATHER ROWLAND CHARLES DEPEAUX, O. PRAEM
Father Rowland Charles
De Peaux, O. Praem., 94, of St.
Norbert Abbey, De Pere, Wisconsin,
and a Norbertine priest,
passed into God’s eternal kingdom
on September 16, 2020.
Fr. De Peaux was born on July
4, 1926, in Green Bay, Wisconsin,
to the late Louis and Helen
(Paral) De Peaux. His home parish
was Annunciation in Green
Bay. He entered St. Norbert Abbey
and was vested as a novice
on August 28, 1944; professed
Simple Vows on August 28,
1946; Solemn Vows on August
28, 1949; and was ordained a
priest on May 19, 1951. Fr. De
Peaux celebrated his 65th jubilee
in 2016. Fr. De Peaux was
a graduate of Central Catholic
High School in Green Bay,
class of 1944, and St. Norbert
College, 1948, with a bachelor’s
degree in in philosophy. He then
taught French and Spanish at
Southeast Catholic (Bishop Neumann)
High School in Philadelphia
in 1952. Upon returning to
Wisconsin, he earned his master’s
degree in French at the University
of Wisconsin in 1956. He
began teaching French and Spanish
at Premontre High School
in Green Bay in 1957 and at St.
Norbert College in 1960. In 1970,
Fr. De Peaux earned his doctorate
in French and Spanish from the
University of Wisconsin.
In 1978, Fr. De Peaux joined the
board of education for Abbot
Pennings High School, De Pere,
Wisconsin, while working at St.
Norbert College. In 1985 he was
named to the board of Catholic
Social Services for the Diocese
of Green Bay. In retirement, Fr.
De Peaux served as advisor to a
national fraternity and as chaplain
to the St. Norbert College
Alumni Association.
He is survived by the Norbertine
Community; one sister,
Emerine Rondeau; one brother,
Lloyd De Peaux; a sister-inlaw;
and several nieces and
nephews. Fr. De Peaux was preceded
in death by his parents
and one brother-in-law.



FATHER ALFRED ALOYSIUS
MCBRIDE, O. PRAEM.
Father Alfred Aloysius McBride,
O. Praem., 91, a member of the
Norbertine Community of St.
Norbert Abbey, De Pere, Wisconsin,
and a Norbertine priest,
passed into God’s eternal kingdom
on October 23, 2020.
Fr. McBride was born in Philadelphia
on December 12, 1928, to
the late Charles and Mary (Shannon)
McBride and was raised by
his Aunt Mary Courtney, whom
he regarded as his mother. He felt
a call to the priesthood early in
his life at his home parish of St.
Patrick’s in central Philadelphia.
He entered St. Norbert Abbey
and was vested as a novice on
August 28, 1946; professed Simple
Vows on August 28, 1948;
Solemn Vows on August 28, 1951;
and was ordained a priest on
June 20, 1953.
Fr. McBride began teaching English
and Latin at St. Norbert
High School in De Pere, Wisconsin,
in 1948. In 1950 he received
a bachelor’s degree in philosophy
from St. Norbert College after
which he was appointed associate
pastor of St. Joseph Church
in De Pere while continuing to
teach at the high school.
Fr. McBride was the celebrant
of the Mass on WBAY AM/FM
radio for seven years, starting in
1958. When the new St. Norbert
Abbey was built in 1959, Fr. Mc-
Bride became the first novice
master. He was sent to Brussels,
Belgium, in June 1963 where he
earned a diploma in catechetics
from the Lumen Vitae Institute.
He earned a doctorate in
religious education from the
Catholic University of America
in Washington, D.C., in 1972. Fr.
McBride was the founder and
executive director of the Department
of Religious Education at
the National Catholic Educational
Association (NCEA) from 1972-
1979, from which he received the
NCEA Board Award for Distinguished
Service.
Fr. McBride was appointed the
ecclesiastical assistant for the
United States in 1989. He served
as consultant to the Archdiocese
of Boston for the implementation
of the Catechism of
the Catholic Church and was a
professor of homiletics and catechetics
at Pope St. John XXIII
National Seminary in Weston,
Massachusetts. In 1992 Fr.
McBride was named the
spiritual director for the U.S.
branch of the worldwide mission,
Aid to the Church in Need.
In 2003 Fr. McBride celebrated
his Golden Jubilee and returned
home to St. Norbert Abbey. He
was awarded an honorary doctorate
by both St. Norbert College
and Belmont Abbey College
in Belmont, NC. He lectured
and wrote widely, publishing 68
books and more than 200 articles.
Fr. McBride was listed as a
most influential educator in the
database of Christian Educators
of the 20th Century. He was a
humble man, always thankful to
God for his remarkable gift of
writing.
Fr. McBride is survived by the
Norbertine Community and
cousins Edward Dougherty and
Therese Dougherty and their
families. He was preceded in
death by his parents and aunt,
Mary Courtney.
23
| In Memoriam

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