Michael Vehe
Michael Vehe (* 1485 in Biberach in Heilbronn, † April 1539 in Halle) was the Church, Bishop and editor of the first Catholic hymnal with notes. He belonged to the Dominican Order.
Church History circumstances of the time
At the time of the Reformation was an ardent defender Michael Vehe of Catholic doctrine. Vehe experienced the exciting first time of the Reformation, whose beginning was in 1517 by Luther in Wittenberg publication of 95 theses, in which he attacked the sale of indulgences and the practice of penance, figured with. This period was characterized by an intense, hard, but also factual and argumentative guided confrontation between the supporters of the old church and the supporters of the ideas of the Reformation. On the Catholic side Vehe participated in all important meetings and debates of the time.
Approximately 1528 appointed Cardinal Albrecht, Margrave of Brandenburg, Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, one of the then most powerful rulers in the German Reich, Vehe his personal counselor and theologian. Vehe was thus the center of power in Germany and took on the Catholic side part in all major events of the Reformation, where he was trying to defend the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church against Luther and his followers.
1530 Vehe took part in the Diet of Augsburg. He had received from the Emperor Charles V commissioned, to refute the " Augsburg Confession ", the basic confession of the Protestants.
In a debate on 29 and 30 April 1534 Leipzig, in which Melanchthon was involved, Vehe again tried to defend the Catholic doctrine. In numerous writings he turned intellectual and argumentative against the waste of the old church.
1537 was Vehe the first Catholic hymnal with notes out. Under the title A new gesangbüchlin for all good christians after ordenung Christian churches are 56 German -language songs to find. After centuries almost exclusively Latin songs were played in worship, which were mainly sung by priests and monks, Luther led a German songs in the liturgy. These songs, including A Mighty Fortress is our God, quickly became popular and spread rapidly, they found the people on both sides of theological enthusiastic reception. Vehe recognized the importance of songs, his singing book is a response to the reformatory efforts.
Up to the present time Vehes collection is a source for church hymnals. Best known are the songs:
- In God's name we go
- In the midst of life
- Now we ask the Holy Spirit
- Made of hard Weh accuses mankind
Life
Michael was Vehe ( near Heilbronn ) born in Biberach in 1485. At 15, he joined Wimpfen in the Dominican monastery. He studied in Heidelberg, the University files is recorded on 29 July 1506 that Vehe there and on January 18, 1513 doctorate lecturer as a doctor of theology. After his return to the monastery he practiced there from the office of the Priors. 1515 he returned to Heidelberg, where he was appointed as rain Heidelberger religious school. In the Order History is about him: " A man who distinguished himself by his sense of duty, piety, education and eloquence and ardent zeal for the Catholic faith ."
As of 1528, Hall was Vehes official residence. There Mainz Cardinal had built a pen near the Reformers in Wittenberg, in which the Catholic faith should be taught. " Vehe developed here an uncommon activity in order to bring the new pin in honor and reputation. Vehement, an equally learned how pious theologian daily holds lectures on the Epistles of Paul. " On February 21, 1539, Pope Paul III. Vehe auxiliary bishop in Halberstadt. However, he died before the start of this office in April of the same year in Halle, where he was buried in the collegiate church.
Works
- A New Gesangbüchlin Geystlicher songs, Leipzig 1537; Hannover 1853
- From the Gesatz the partaking of the Holy Sacraments hochw, Leipzig 1531
- Salvation of the accused chalice thief, Leipzig 1535
- How different wiess God and his holy will be glorified, Leipzig 1532
- Assertio Sacrorum quorumdam axiomatum, Leipzig 1537