Saint Evermode

Feastday: February 17

“Evermode was bound to Norbert by such a bond of profound love that the spirit of the Man of God rested in him.”

(Vita Norberti B, XX)

On one of Norbert’s itinerant preaching missions, another young Belgian named Evermode heard Norbert preach in Cambrai. Evermode was so moved that, when the church was empty, he ascended the pulpit himself and declaimed the sermon all over again. He became Norbert’s inseparable companion and friend, and was probably ordained by him. From Prémontré, he followed Norbert to Magdeburg, where he succeeded Norbert as provost of St. Mary’s and was present at his master’s deathbed. Intensely loyal, energetic, and determined, Evermode zealously and successfully carried on Norbert’s work of spreading the Gospel, ecclesiastical reform, and peace-making. His methods were not always the most gentle. A colorful episode illustrative of Evermode’s character is related by his biographer. He had been preaching the peace of Christ in a certain town where a terrible murder had been committed. The victim’s brother obstinately demanded that the criminal be tortured and executed. Evermode preached forgiveness but to no avail. Finally, with tears and holding the relics of the saints, he flung himself at the vindictive man’s feet imploring mercy for the culprit, and still he refused. Thereupon, Evermode stood up and slapped the man soundly across the face. He converted.

In 1153, Evermode was consecrated bishop of Ratzeburg, which was on the frontier of Christian civilization in eastern Germany, bringing with him Norbertine confreres, who formed his cathedral chapter. The see of Ratzeburg had been destroyed by the indigenous pagan Wends (Saxons) almost a century earlier. Norbert had wished to win them for Christ, but died before he could accomplish this. Evermode undertook their evangelization and therefore is sometimes called the “Apostle to the Wends,” even by local Protestants. A fervent apostle to the end, he died amidst his holy labors in 1178.

(Saint drawings courtesy of Saint Norbert Abbey, De Pere, Wisconsin.)