HUGH, ABBOT OF PRÉMONTRÉ

HUGH, ABBOT OF PRÉMONTRÉ - 10 FEBRUARY

HUGH, ABBOT OF PRÉMONTRÉ

Hugo (Hugh; French: Hugues), the first disciple of Saint Norbert and first Abbot of Prémontré, was, according to Migne* (II. 1460), born towards the end of the 11th century at Fosses (Fossae) near Liège, of a noble family and educated in the monastery of Fosses. After becoming a priest, he was chaplain to Bishop Burkard of Cambrai (Burchard of Cambrai) and a member of the chapter of the cathedral. When Saint Norbert once visited the bishop, Hugh felt such respect for the saint that he soon joined him. Thus he became the first disciple of Saint Norbert, who founded his order in 1120. When the latter was elevated to the position of Archbishop of Magdeburg in 1126, he appointed Hugues Abbot of Prémontré (Pratum monstratum, Praemonstratum) and General of the order.

Hugh was present at the assembly of Chartres, which King Louis the Younger had called in 1145 because of the Crusades. He declined the bishopric of that city, which the king offered him. He died in 1161 according to Migne*; other writers document that he passed in 1164. He was buried in the church at Prémonté. When his remains were transferred to the newly built church of the order in 1279, they are said to have emitted a most pleasant fragrance. In 1660, at the General Chapter of the order, his body was solemnly raised, and his canonization was also discussed. The project was never completed, although it was not altogether abandoned, either.

Hugh left behind some writings, including the statutes of the order, which were confirmed by several popes, a Life (biography) of Saint Norbert and an Order Ceremonial. For 35 years, he had led the order with zeal and prudence. Some hagiographers list him as "Saint Hugh," others (including Migne*) as "blessed," but most sources refer to him as "pious." The Bollandists* mention Abbot Hugh among the praetermissi on February 10 (II. 378).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, pp. 789-90)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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