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Through the Ages
The Norbertine community of Saint-Catarinadal can reflect on a history of more than seven centuries. The recorded history begins in the year 1271, when the General Chapter received a new group of Sisters into the Order of Premontre on 9th October. Several years previously, Servatius of Liederkerke, Lord of Breda, had gathered a group of women at his estate in Vroenhout to lead a life of devotion. The story recounts that they were his seven daughters, and the eldest was called Catharina. The present community is named after her. From the beginning, Saint-Catharinadal has enjoyed the protection of the Lords of Breda, and the Sisters were provided with many gifts.
The continuation of Saint-Catharinadal was seriously threatened at the end of the 16th century, as a result of the Reformation and conflict between the Spanish and State troops. And so it transpired that in 1625 there was only one Sister remaining, who determinedly stood firm and passed on the torch. In 1647 Prince Frederik Hendrik was no longer able to guarantee the safety of the Norbertine priory in Breda as the city had been in the hands of the State since 1637. The Sisters moved to Oosterhout where the Provost at the time, Balthasar Cruyt, had purchased the small Castle De Blauwe Camer, behind which three wings were constructed as a priory. (The monumental buildings and especially the church which the Sisters had vacated in 1647 have recently been beautifully restored and now form a jewel in the city of Breda). During the 16th and 17th centuries the sisters ran a boarding school to provide financial security.
In the time of Napoleon they started a small school for the poor in Oosterhout to ensure continuity in their changing circumstances. Initially there was no church there, but at the beginning of the 18th century a small church was taken into use. Around 1900 it became necessary to build a larger church. In 1841 Saint-Catharinadal was granted the full rights to priory life. It became possible in 1847 for Sisters from Oosterhout to start a new community in the Belgian Neerpelt. The Sisters from this group moved later to Veerle. A second dependence was started in 1931 when 10 sisters from Oosterhout left for Petropolis in Brazil. Unfortunately this group could not be sustained and four Sisters returned to Saint-Catharinadal in the seventies. Around 1930 the fourth wing was built to complete the quadrangle. In 1964 it became apparent that the condition of the Neo-gothic church dating from 1900 had so seriously deteriorated that demolition and reconstruction was the only alternative.
Throughout the centuries, the community of Saint-Catharinadal aspired to be a House of Light, a House of Hospitality and a House of Culture.
No matter what happened, and what kind of threat the community suffered, they were able to continue religious Norbertine life as a single entity; always prepared to find new ways to survive without ignoring their identity and the deepest sense of their existence.
This awareness and the examples from history provided strong support when yet again another great threat came their way. The worldwide financial and economic crises affected their work and crafts in the Art Studio where restoration and conservation of antique bibles and other valuable books; calligraphic work on parchment and modern leather craft were undertaken.
The fear of losing this stable source of income was the start of a serious and long period of consideration, prayer, reflection and exchange. In September 2012 they started a process to find ventures that could be worthwhile for the future. Their appreciation and respect for the past made them reflect on their identity when making important decisions to face the future and to accept the new challenges in the changing circumstances with courage. Their dream and ambition was to intensify our diaconate task and to provide themselves with financial security.
In May 2015, 35.300 vines (six different kinds: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Auxerrois, Pinot Noir and Gamay) were planted on 8 hectares of their estate.
At the same time a kitchen garden was planted and a bee keeper brought his first two hives. A year later, a design for a herb garden was prepared.
To contribute to their social engagement in current society, the work on the estate offered employment to those with limited intelligence.
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To provide better facilities for hospitality they opened a guesthouse with a capacity of 14 bedrooms, both single and double rooms. This offered guests the opportunity to stay longer, to study, to relax or to simply enjoy a retreat. This is a welcome addition to the ecumenical day groups or afternoon events with both spiritual and cultural content held previously.
A shop has been set up and a former stable (cow-shed) was transformed into a winery in which the winepress is located. Within the winery people will find a small restaurant and a conference/meeting room is also available for hire.
In May 2018, the first wine was bottled and was offered free in June.
A new page has been written in the book of nearly 750 years existence of Sint-Catharinadal: Canonesses of Saint-Catharinadal of the Order of Prémontré! A long and rich book of names and personalities who lived, shared, prayed and loved, who carried on in joy and survived throughout times of sorrow and persecution. Each of them passed the candle of hope unto the next generation and took care of the continued existence of the community.
Within the picture of the canonry you will see the present generations, matching together unity in diversity by the differences of age, character, background, education and capacities.
Step by step, they go forward as pilgrims for God. History suggests that their efforts in this present time deserve to be fulfilled and their mission for the future will make Gods dream come true.
Thanks should be given personally to each sister from former days for their fidelity, their faith and witness throughout more than seven centuries.
Thanks to the entire community of Saint- Catharinadal at the current time.
May their wishes come true; to remain a House of Light, a House of Hospitality and a House of Culture and... a House with a fruitful Vineyard!
Entering the footsteps of the Gospel of Saint John in chapter 15, 1-8
"By reverence for the past
In gratitude for the present
With confidence in Gods future"
 Restauration of codexes |  Singing the office in the Church |
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