Johannes de Indagine (Benedictine)


Johannes de Indagine, born Johannes von Hagen was a Benedictine monk and a notable abbot of Bursfelde Abbey. He was the originator of the Bursfelde Congregation.

Life

Johannes de Indagine, born Johannes von Hagen, was at first a canon of the Magdalenenstift in Hildesheim. In 1439, after the death of :de:Johann Dederoth|Johannes Dederoth, who reformed Bursfelde Abbey after a period of decline, he was elected his successor as abbot.
During Indagine's period of office, several other monasteries adopted the mode of life of Bursfelde and formed an association, the Bursfelde Congregation, which continued to grow after Indagine's death. In May 1446 under his direction the first general meeting of the chapter general of the new congregation took place, attended by all the abbots of the participating monasteries. This continued as an annual meeting. This chapter general was the highest authority in the congregation and was empowered to make very wide-reaching decisions.

Literature