This calendar of saints is drawn from several denominations, sects, and traditions. Although it will no longer be updated daily, the index on the right will guide visitors to a saint celebrated on any day they choose. Additional saints will be added as they present themselves to Major.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

December 11 -- Feast of Blessed Ludolf van Craeywinckel

A few random thoughts (T) about today's beatus, interspersed with a few essential facts (F). 

T1.  I picked him for his name.  I don't know how to say it, but it is a fun name. 

F1.  He was born in 1609 in the Netherlands and died in 1679. 

T2.  Since his book, A History of the Saints, Blessed and Venerable Premonstratensian, is unavailable through Amazon.com, I figure it just doesn't exist in English.  Hell, it may not exist at all outside the rare books collections of a few sectarian university libraries.  The likelihood I'll ever read it is slim to none.
A flock of Norbertines: "Dude, we always wear white! Wassamattawitchu?"

F2.  He was a Premonstatensian canon, which is to say a brother of the Norbertine Order.  As they did under Saint Norbert in the twelfth century, these canons (not monks) follow the Rule of Saint Augustine.  There are about 1000 brothers and 200 sisters in the Order today. 
Norbertines!

T3.  I feel a distant kinship with Blessed Ludolf, since his History was criticized for being more concerned with the edification of the reader than critical historical research.  If readers hadn't figured  out yet that my MO is somewhat loose, they are hereby warned. 

F3.  He wrote a book of sermons and meditations on the Passion and the suffering of Mary after her son's death. 

T4.  One of the advantages of being in a religious order (from a hagiographic perspective) is that folks keep your veneration up even when there is not much to be said.  (No offense intended, Ludolf.) 

F4.  He also published a story about Hadrian and Jacob, two of the martyrs of Gorkum

T5.  Some of the other orders are a little better about providing visuals of their saints and beati.  A word to the wise, Norbertines.  Time to step up your game a little.  

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