Saint of the Day – 15 April – Saint Waltmann O.Praem. (Died 1138) Abbot, a disciple of St Norbert (c1080-1134). a renowned Preacher and Defender of the Faith against heresy, Founder of new Monasteries. He entered the Premonstratensian Order, also knopwn as the Norbertines or White Canons. Also known as – Gualtmannus, Waltmann of Antwerp, of Cambrai.
In around 1120, when Tanchelm, a layman, proved effective in spreading his new heretical movement in Antwerp, the local Bishop, Burchard of Cambrai, sought the assistance of St Norbert of Xanten and his newly formed Premonstratensians in combating the heresy.
St Norbert’s success over Tanchelm (commemorated in a stained glass window of the Cathedral) led the Canons of historic St Michaels in Antwerp, to move to Notre-Dame and give St Michaels to St Norbert as the site of the first Premonstratensian foundation in Antwerp.
St Waltmann, one of St Norbert’s talented Preachers in Antwerp, became the first Abbot. During his 14 years in that Office St Waltmann made St Michaels the centre of re-established religious unity in Antwerp.
He also founded, as daughter-houses, the Premonstratensian Abbeys of Averbode and Tongerloo, both of which still exist today, alhough St Michael’s was suppressed during the French Revolution.
AnaStpaul 