The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. AgnesThomas, à Kempis
Religion
The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agnes
Thomas, à Kempis
Augustinian Canons
On the Vigil of the Epiphany after the death of this venerable Father,
Brother Gerard Naeldwijc, the Procurator of the House, was chosen to be
Prior; but he was greatly grieved thereat, and after a long while he
consented, though against his will. Being lowly and gentle he might not
bear the honour and burden of this place, and he sought earnestly with
many prayers to be relieved from the care of so great a charge, and when
the next General Chapter was held he sought to be absolved from his
office of Prior, which petition was granted to him. So after he had been
absolved, and when the Fathers were still gathered together, Brother
William Vorniken, the Prior of Mount St. Agnes, was chosen by the same
General Chapter to be Prior of the Superior House. And when he knew of
his election he too was stricken with dismay, for he was afraid of the
burden, which is indeed a thing to fear. So he wept abundantly, saying
again and again that he was unworthy, and striving mightily against this
thing in every manner, yet was he obliged to obey and to take upon
himself for Christ's sake the yoke of so great a burden, being compelled
thereto by his obedience and the determination of the more part.
Therefore, at length, he consented, and after weeping bitterly he was
confirmed and inducted into the office, and all that were in the House
gave thanks to God and were glad; but the House of Mount St. Agnes was
saddened above measure and wept when her faithful Pastor was taken from
her, for she knew none like to him.
CHAPTER XX.
How Brother Theodoric of Kleef was chosen to be the third Prior of the
House on the Mount.
In the year of the Lord 1425, the House of Mount St. Agnes bereft of her
Pastor (who had been chosen for and translated to the Superior House) was
instant to provide for herself another suitable ruler in accordance with
the canons. Wherefore the Brothers were gathered together, and on the
Saturday after Pentecost the Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated after
the monastic manner, and all the members of the Chapter came together to
the Chapter House. When the opinion of each had been heard, Brother
Theodoric of Kleef, our Sub-Prior, was chosen, and those venerable
Fathers, the Prior of Windesem and the Prior of the House of the Blessed
Virgin, near Northorn, took part in this election, and confirmed the same
as an holy act by the authority committed to them.
Brother Theodoric was one of the elder Brothers of this same House, and
had been among those that were first invested: he had a long training in
the good life, and he wrote summer and winter Homilies together with
certain other books.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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