The Easter Liturgy in the Premonstratensian Tradition
“From the beginning of our Order, frequent pilgrimages to the Holy Places and especially during the Crusades drew attention to the Holy Cross and the Resurrection of Christ. This influence was felt in the liturgy – and especially in France – and among canons regular. ... We find multiple traces of this in the Premonstratensian Rite; consider for example the much greater place than in the Roman Rite that is granted to the mystery of the Resurrection of the Lord in the Divine Office, in Mass, and processions, during the entire Easter season...”– A Spiritual Directory of the Order of Prémontré
Like other ancient religious Orders, a precious element of our Norbertine Order's spiritual patrimony is its distinctive liturgical tradition. Especially fitting to an Order of canons and canonesses, whose life is centered on the solemn celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, the wealth of prayers, rites and ceremonies that characterize Premonstratensian liturgy particularly expresses our Norbertine spirituality and identity. While the early Premonstratensians adopted a Cistercian austerity with regard to their monastic practices, beauty and solemnity has always been a hallmark of Norbertine Liturgy. Conscious that God deserved the very best, our holy father St. Norbert emphasized that care and cleanliness should surround the altar and our liturgical worship, saying, “It is at the altar that we show our faith and our love for God.” In Norbertine churches, the Sacred Liturgy would be celebrated with splendor, using beautiful vestments and church furnishings, but without ostentation.
The Premonstratensian liturgical tradition drew not only from the liturgical customs of other canons and the local liturgical practice of the surrounding area, but also from the crusader movement of its time and the liturgical observances of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, especially with regard to the Offices of Holy Week, devotion to the Holy Cross, and the celebration of Easter Season. This is fitting, for the ideal St. Norbert and his followers wished to live was the Vita Apostolica, the life of the early Church in Jerusalem.
Our distinctive Premonstratensian liturgical ceremonies especially occur throughout the high seasons and feasts of the liturgical year, centering particularly on the Paschal Mystery, most especially the solemn Paschal Vespers during Eastertide with its procession to the baptismal font.
An Easter Polyphonic Piece