Showing posts with label Carthusians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carthusians. Show all posts

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Petrus Blomvenna (1466-1536) and the Cologne Charthouse in the Renaisance

Exactly 550 years ago on the 29th of March, 1466, Pieter Blommeveen (later latinized to Peter Blomevenna) was born as one of twelve children of a wealthy and pious family.
The gifted boy received, like his compatriots: Adriaen Boeyens (1459-1523) and Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1537), a dignified education with the Brothers of the Common Life (Devotio Moderna).  Subsequently, he studied from 1483 at the University of Cologne and entered into the famous Cologne Charterhouse St. Barbara in 1489.  St. Barbara was the largest Charterhouse in Germany and one of the most respected of the Carthusian Order.

The Carthusians as a spiritual and moral renewal movement within the Church

The Carthusians led a  spiritual and moral regeneration movement within the Church.They placed an emphasis on prayer, asceticism, Christ and Marian devotion.

Converted church of Cologne Charterhouse, 1802 repealed under France since 1928 in a Protestant church

As part of its evangelizing activity, the Cologne Charterhouse gathered a large theological reference library and early had on their own printing and publishing operation for the production and dissemination of edifying writings.
Blomevenna was marked by great gentleness and innocence, by strict asceticism and by the gift of prayer and tears. This latter event was the reason why Blomevenna was prohibited from publicly  saying Holy Mass. His great emotion would, so said his superiors, confuse the faithful.
At 43 years he was elected prior of the Cologne Charterhouse in 1507. 

Intensive evangelizing activity

Blomevenna developed a broad and deep evangelizing activity. He wrote several theological works (e.g. Candela evangelica (The light / candle of the gospel); Assertatio purgatorii (Liberation [the soul] through purgatory).

Epitaph of Anton Woensam:  "Christ on the Cross", kneeling and embracing the cross is Peter Blomevenna shown (1535)

Not least important was the printing and distribution of numerous writings of Flemish Carthusian Denis van Leeuwen, called van Rijkel, better known by his religious name Denis the Carthusian (1424-1471).
This  greatest  Dutch theologian of the Late Middle Ages was considered very mystical. Because of his visionary writings, he was, in contrast to the sacred high scholastic Thomas Aquinas (the Angelic Doctor ),  called Doctor ecstaticus. He impressed  the  devout believers and the clergy tremendously by his devout life.The internal Church reform movement of Devotio Moderna got here a theological foundation with an emphasis on prayer, the renunciation of the world and was embedded in the Mysticism of the Cross and Marian devotion.

Blomevenna as editor of the writings of Dionysius the Carthusian

Denis the Carthusian was then several years a companion of Cardinal Nicholas of Cusa and strove already mid-15th century to an inner purification and spirituality of the Church in the midst of a turbulent world.
In 1509 Blomevenna translated the "Spieghel der Volcomenheit " (Mirror of Perfection) of Brabant Franciscan Hendrik Herp (ca. 1410-1477), another protagonist of spiritual renewal movement in the Netherlands, into Latin. More mystical-contemplative works followed.
The Carthusians were bound to the vow of silence. On the other hand, their use for pastoral care in Cologne was extremely necessary in the then chaotic times and was specifically requested, led Blomevenna to build a chapel on the outer wall of the Charterhouse, which made the pastoral care of women religious possible.
He led an intensive  correspondence with Dutch and Low German Beguines and nuns. He also had close links with Pope Clement VII. And Charles V.

The Cologne Charterhouse as a bulwark of catholicity

Under Blomevenna's Priorate many young men joined the Charterhouse.
Noteworthy are the brothers John and Dieter (Dirk) Loher (Loherius de Stratis). It was the latter who later became the savior of the Charterhouse Buxheim bei Memmingen (Swabia) which would lead the German Carthusian through the turmoil of the 1540s.

Blomevenna as editor of the writings of Dionysius the Carthusian

Even more important was the contact of the then still very young from Geldern, Pieter Kanis, actually Peter de Hondt, - who as Peter Canisius, was the first and the most important of the German and Dutch Jesuits - with the Cologne Charterhouse. The first Jesuits on German soil were largely supported by the Cologne Charterhouse financially and organizationally.
While the Reformation spread in Germany and in North-West Europe from 1517,  the Cologne Charterhouse constituted under Blomevenna the largest and most important bastion of Catholicism.
It was extremely proficient in theological defense of the faith and in its reply to allegations and accusations.
They trained their members and sympathizers, used modern printing techniques, gave out religious and polemical writings and operated a highly efficient network with important and interesting people.
Eighteen months after his death, his main work was published posthumously by his successor, Gerhard Kalckbrenner,  "De divina bonitate"  (Of Divine Goodness): an extremely important source for the Lower Rhine Dutch theology at this time.
The contacts with the Dutch Beguines and female religious were intensified. They led to the arrival of highly respected Dutch mystic, Maria van Oysterwijck with her mystically oriented circle.

Authentic model in prayer, asceticism and dedication to faith

Blomevenna today is almost completely forgotten today in his home. He is and remains, nonetheless, historically and above all for catholicity, an extremely important personality.
At the beginning of the modern era, in the troubled times immediately before and during the early Reformation period, he created, through great theological knowledge, through enormous pastoral activity, through efficient and skillful use of modern techniques, through education and networking of important and spiritually upright persons, and above all, by his personal example of the authenticity of prayer, asceticism and commitment to faith, the necessary staff work for the beginnings of the counter-Reformation.

Peter Blomevenna as Prior of Cologne Charterhouse, glass windows to 1510-1530

It has been referred to in the 20th century as the Counter-Reformation or as a "second Reformation" - to relativize the  "contra".
However, this is not quite true. There was a very long time, since the early 15th century, of aspirations for a Catholic renewal within the Church.
These reform movements were not least guided and supported as the saying goes, the Carthusians:"Numquam reformata qualis numquam deformata" (never reformed, because never deformed).
The Carthusian Order was then the most important center of Catholic piety. It stood  bravely and loyally for the venerable faith, was averse to the temptations of the world  and consolidated stably in itself; and it defended the faith very capably and efficiently in the Reformation turmoil.
The Carthusian Petrus Blomevenna here was the most important chief of staff. Blomevenna, who was prior of the Cologne Charterhouse and Visitor of the Rhenish Carthusian Province until his death, died on the 30th of September, 1536 in Cologne.
Of Blomevenna there are two traditional contemporary portraits:
In Wallraf-Richartz Museum in Cologne is the epitaph by Anton Woensam  "Christ on the Cross with Saints of the Carthusian Order and its founder Peter Blomevenna" (Inv No: WRM0208 / Access 1857).
Moreover Blomevenna is depicted on a magnificent stained glass window that he himself donated; Today it is located in the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts (USA).
Dum mundus volvitur crux, stat.
Text: Armand Timmermans
Image: cartusiana / Worcesterart / University Library Freiburg / Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Saturday, October 20, 2012

"You Know That We're Not Supermen"


The New General Prior of the Carthusians

"I sensed a powerful desire, to be useful to the Church and fellow man.  I was also very drawn to the Apostolate."

(kreuz.net)  Dom François-Marie Velut O. Carm has been the General Prior of the Carthusians since the 21st of September.

The cleric was born on the 30th of December 1948 as Michel Velut in Champagne in north east France.

He spent his childhood in this area as well -- in the small seminary of the 61,000 population city of Troyes.

Master's Degree in Paris

Then he studied in the Sorbonne and in the Paris 'Catholic Institute'.

There he earned a Master's Degree in Philosophy.

The subject of his work:  "The Concept of Person in Christological Conflict of the 4th and 5th Centuries."

Entrance to the Carthusians

As Brother Micheal, he finished his 19th year with the Brothers of Charles Foucauld.

In 1989 he entered the Novitiate of the Grand Chartreuse at the age of 40.

There he made his solemn profession in 1996 as Dom François-Marie.

Relocation to Portes

On June 4th, 2001, Do François-Marie was relocated to the Charterhouse of Portes -- between Genf and Lyon.

On the 28th of September 2001, the monks there elected him Prior.

He then become a successor to Dom Étienne Descamps, who had held this office for 28 years.

After his election to Prior of Portes, he gave an interview to 'Voix de l' Ain':

How did you take your election to be Prior of Portes?

with a lot of fear -- but in the end there were enough signs to recognize the will of God.  I only have to accept it.

As Procurator [General Secretary]  of the Order, I already knew the house a bit.  The canonical visitations which take place every two years, gave me a passing understanding about the expectations which exist in every Carthusian house.

In the Church there is a serious priest shortage.  Isn't there some other way you would hae been more useful?

I sensed a powerful desire, to be useful to the Church and fellow man.  I was also very drawn to the Apostolate.

In order to understand, it has to be taken at the level of faith, otherwise I'm only conscious that what I say, can only scandalize in view of the priest shortage.

We are all conscious of this:  what was more awakening, is the radical step of total self-donation to God.  This decision makes no sense unless it is looked at with the light of faith, if one believes in the value of prayer and a life given by God.

We feel as members of a family, who are conscious of our place int he Church, that Christ operates through others, through those who have abandoned themselves to the apostolate or in contact with His suffering.  Everyone in his role.

You Carthusians, who have turned your entire lives to Christ and consider his work:  How can you not be troubled by the evil, suffering, wars, which tear the world apart and the terror attacks?

This question disturbs teh whole world.   We Christians ascribe them to human freedom.

It is not God, who will all of this.  That is a part of our great plan of love, which human freedom is considered almost in a scandalous way.

Did He not allow his Son to be crucified?  This concern for human freedom is the secret of the crazy love of God for men, a mystery, which excels us all.

We believe, that the eternal life of every person has more meaning for God than the earthly life and that the suffering, if it is the way of salvation, has a reason.

A great good can come from all the evil.

From a human perspective, what I'm saying here can excite indignation.

The evil and the suffering is also an opportunity for overcoming, love, generosity, devotion and universal brotherhood.

This answer to the evil through the good is a work of God's grace.

These acts are the purview of every human nature in his own frailty, his own responsibility.

You are preparing for the nine hundred year anniversary of the death of St. Bruno, your founder:  What value do you see in this day?

We celebrate October 6th as the day of Bruno's birth into heaven, his entrance into eternal life.

That is an opportunity for us to find new strength and to deepen it, for which we are grateful to him -- for the charism of our vocation in the arms of today's Church, this way of life, which he founded and has continued to live in the course of the centuries.

He is our father, our founder, our model, our teacher.  He has given us an example of total resignation:  to long for fruitfulness, he decided to give up the illusory joys and the passsing riches of this fleeting world,  in order to take up the search for God alone.

That is at the time that he refused to become Archbishop of Reims and instead became a hermit.

He gave us an example of heroic obedience, as he answered the Pope's call -- despite the danger of his his brother's dispersing.

He gave us the example of a complete obedience to the Spirit,  as he refused to become Archbishop of Reggio.  His words and his example call to us during our daily life:  They might be an encouragement and inspiration, in our way in the moments of trial, hesitation and temptation, in order to continue ever more radically in our  devotion to the Lord.

They know that we're not supermen.  We have shortcomings.  We are only humble Christians.

The isolation and the time of test in the desert brings us closer to men.

 Link to kreuz.net...

Sunday, September 23, 2012

New General Prior of Carthusians

Stat crux dum volvitur orbis

He was a late vocation to the Carthusians.  Previously he was occupied much with Fatima and appearances of the Mother of God.


(kreuz.net) Dom François Marie Velut O. Carth. was selected on this Friday 10:00 as the 73rd General Prior of the Carthusians.

The election was unanimous.

Member of another Order

The newly elected was christened Michel Velut on the 30th of December 1948.

From 1970 to 1989 he was a member of the community of "the Little Brothers of the Heart of Jesus",  which was inspired by St. Charles de Foucauld (+1916).

He was called Brother Michel of the Holy Trinity.

A  Fatima Expert

Brother Michel, according to the blog 'josbrunonis.blogspot.com' has researched Marian apparitions over many years.

In a four year research phase he devoted himself to the Third Secret of Fatima and published several books about it.

On the occasion of a Vatican symposium on Fatima, he gave a lecture on the 24th of November 1985.

At 41 he Became a Carthusian

In December 1989 he left his community and entered the Grande Chatreuse -- the mother cloister of the Carthusians -- in the French Alps by Grenoble.

He postponed his simple vows until the 25th of December in 1991.

Later he took the office of Procurator, which cared for the material affairs of the Carthusians and keeping straight its contacts with the world.

Finally, he became Secretary of the Order.

Exchange in the Charterhouse of Portes

In June 2001 he became Prior and Novice Master in the Charterhouse of Portes (Chartreuse Notre-Dame de Portes).

It is located in the vicinity of the 300 population village of Benonces -- between Lyon and Genf.

He has held this office up until Friday.

Portes is the first foundation of the Grande Chartreuse.  Because of its members, it is also called the "Charterhouse of the Saints".

Dom Velut has led his community to a certain blossoming.

The Whole Life is in Celebration

The Italian blog 'cartusialover.wordpress.com' cited the new General Prior with the following words:

"Despite the great strain, the freedom of the Carthusian life gives the feeling that all of life is a holiday."

Link to kreuz.net...