Averbode Abbey
The Abbey is a Premonstratensian abbey in Averbode Averbode, the suburbs of the Flemish city Scherpenheuvel- Zichem.
Location
The abbey is located north of Averbode Averbode, where today the borders of the provinces of Flemish Brabant, Antwerp and Limburg.
History
In the years 1134/35 was the Blessed Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist Abbey of Arnold II, Count of Loon, donated. It was his wish that the Premonstratensian settled from the St. Michael's Abbey in Antwerp also close to his own estate. He put the canons for this purpose land available, which consisted of forests and pastures in the first place. The extension of the Abbey grounds took place only from 1147 through donations on the part of the landed gentry, by purchase and exchange obtained the abbey larger estates. The income of this area was used for the supply of the canons, for the construction of the abbey and for charitable purposes. Through clever business as the Abbey Averbode sharply at the end of the 13th century a golden age that still lasted the entire 14th century.
The 15th century, with its political upheavals was the abbey less successful. The Abbey residents and the neighboring population had turned against John of Bavaria and this added to his opponents - supported by John the Fearless - a bitter defeat. The monastery was plundered, captured the abbot and some canons and only released after payment of a ransom. Then the abbot was forced important property for sale, but the prudent economies in the aftermath prevented worse.
When Maximilian of Austria in the 15th century led war in Brabant, several monastery buildings were destroyed and also burned in 1499 after a lightning strike from the abbey church. Finally, the abbey was plundered in 1578 by soldiers and the Canons had no other option but to retreat to Diest, where they remained until 1604.
After the return of canons from exile broke of better times for the monastery. The abbey was extended, including by the still existing baroque church ( 1664-1672 ).
But then came the French Revolution and again the canons were expelled from their monastery and devastated the building part. The impressive pipe organ of the abbey church was purchased by the St. Lambertus church from Helmond (Netherlands ), where it can still be visited today. It was not until forty years later drew a handful of older monks back in the building of Averbode and tried a new beginning. This succeeded, as soon spiritual offspring arrived at the monastery and the abbey recovered to the extent that they could establish numerous new religious houses, including in Brazil (1896 ), Denmark (1903), Brasschaat (1931 ) and pods (1959).
1942 was a big part of the abbey destroyed in a fire, so that again a reconstruction was necessary.
The Abbey Today
The monastery has an important library. Inside, which can be rarely visited, there are numerous art historically important and therefore precious objects, including a Renaissance chalice of Reiner van Jaersvelt and a reliquary cross from the 14th century. In addition, the department has a big publisher for Christian youth magazines and books that are read by non-Catholic Christians. In the baroque abbey church especially the high altar and two paintings by Pieter Jozef Verhaghen are worth seeing, as well as the choir stalls (1671-1673) of Octaaf Henry.
In 2011, the abbey ran a guest house and a meditation center and had 78 members, of which 45 lived in the Abbey and worked. Since February 2006, Jos Wouters has held the office of abbot.