Preface

The following explanation of the rule of St Augustine, taken from the works of Hugh of St Victor, is here presented in English form to those that live under the rule of St Augustine, and to whom it is not easily accessible in the original Latin.

The reflections of the celebrated Canon Regular must be prized as emanating from one highly qualified to discourse on this admirable legacy of St Augustine to his children. Hugh gives evidence of an intense love of that rule himself. Under its guidance he speedily rose to a great height of religious sanctity. Moreover, Hugh of St Victor has been styled a " Second Augustine " (" alter Augustinus ") for his intimate familiarity with the works of our Holy Legislator, and for his personal similarity of character, in many respects, to that of the early Father.

Hugh, eldest *son of Conrad, Count of Blanken- burg, was born at Hartingham, in Saxony, in the year 1096. He was educated at Hamerlene, near Habberstadt, and took the habit of the Canons Regular of St Augustine in the same place. Before

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he had completed his novitiate, the disturbed state of the country caused him to leave, and Hugh was received as a member of the Community of the Canons Regular of St Victor, at Paris. The famous school of these canons was then at the height of its reputation. William of Champleaux, founder of the school, and his successors, of whom Hugh was one, joined with St Bernard in defend- ing the integrity of the faith against the prevalent errors taught and diffused by Abelard and others. At an early age Hugh was made master of the school. His- whole life consisted of the exercises of religious life, teaching, writing, and study. He contributed in an important measure to the whole range of the knowledge of his time. In philosophy he stands high amongst the scholastics. In the- ology, it has been said of him that he was " the most influential theologian of the twelfth century." x As a mystic, Hugh is well known as the founder of that movement which was continued and per- fected by Richard of the same community. The writings of our author proclaim the depth of his piety and the intensity of his spiritual life. All knowledge — and he was most assiduous in culti- vating it — was only a means to the end of serving God. According to his doctrine : " Thought seeks God in the material world ; meditation discovers Him within ourselves ; contemplation knows Him supernaturally and intuitively. Such are the ' three

1 Harnack, quoted in the Catholic Encyclopaedia article, "Hugh of St Victor," which has been freely used in compiling these notes.

eyes' of the rational soul." "What is it to be wise," he asks, "but to love God? for love is wisdom."

Hugh of St Victor died in 1141.

It is related of him that in his last sickness, " with earnest and fervent devotion " he begged that the Holy Communion might be brought to him. His brethren were pained to have to with- hold this last consolation, as the patient suffered from frequent vomiting. And as he constantly renewed his request an unconsecrated host was brought to him. It was granted to the holy man to recognise the deception, and he exclaimed : " No ; that is not the Body of my Lord, with which every true Christian longs to be united ! " The Blessed Sacrament was then brought to his bedside. Unable to receive the Sacramental Presence of his Lord, he cried : " Let the child return to his Father and the servant to his Master."

Shortly after, this, his last prayer, was granted. That these reflections of the pious Canon Regular may give some increase to the religious spirit and to devotedness to the rule of St Augustine is the wish and prayer of

The Translator.