After breakfast at the hotel, we rode the bus to Berne Abbey, founded shortly after Norbert’s death in 1134. This current location has been home to the Norbertines since 1857. In the late 1800s, they had a large number of vocations, which allowed them to send three Norbertines, including Bernard Pennings, to Wisconsin in 1893. Berne would send 26 Norbertines in all, which led to the purchase of St. Joseph Parish and the founding of the college.
We were met by Fr. Peter, who gave us an introduction to the abbey. 
The exterior had many interesting details. 
We had coffee and tea, along with an interesting conversation about the current state of Catholicism in the Netherlands. 
Past Abbots’ stones in the courtyard. 
We attended mass with the Norbertines. 
Carved wooden statue of St. Augustine. 
After mass and lunch, Fr. Joost gave us a tour. 
Detail of a large painting of all the coats of arms. The De Pere Abbey also has this painting. 
Every day this clock needs to be wound. The two bullets on the wall start near the ceiling and descend to the floor. 
The courtyard outside the Norbertine’s rooms. In the 1950s and 1960s, they had 200 members. They currently have 25, including two young Polish novices. 
The is a bookstore on-site that, of course, sells Berne Abbey beer. 
Variety packs available for purchase. 
Of course we had to taste test!
Great job summarizing our visit to Berne Abbey!
The photos of Oosterhout are mesmerizing and inspiring.
Oosterhout is my favorite Norbertine house,
it’s so human scale
and the Sisters’ stewardship and care in every aspect of their life from their common prayer
to their new work in the vineyards
expresses and shapes the Norbertine contemplative tradition at its best.
The sisters were so kind to us, and their entrepreneurial spirit is so inspiring!