age in
Hasselt, and he was a trusty friend and a special patron of the devout.
Here then they builded for their first need a small chapel, which they
let consecrate in honour of Mary, the most Blessed Mother of God, and
also other buildings of moderate size, and they reverently called the
place "The Garden of the Blessed Mary," in honour of Christ's gentle
Mother. When these things were done, the day drew nigh on which the
Brothers of this House should be invested there. Now on the day of the
Lord's Annunciation, which is the solemn Feast of the Blessed Mary ever
Virgin, Mother Church doth celebrate throughout all the world the first
act of our Redemption. So that when that holy day had dawned with fair
sunshine there came the Reverend Lord Hubert, Bishop of Yppuse, and
Suffragan to our Lord Bishop of Utrecht, for he had been summoned thither
upon that day. And when the waxen tapers and crosses and the other
ornaments were ready, he there consecrated the burial ground, and the
three altars, and then at the High Altar, which he had dedicated, he sung
Mass with solemn music.

Afterward, in his reverend presence, and in the face of a large company
of other religious, both Clerks and Lay, Brothers who had come together
from every quarter to keep this Festival, the first four Brothers of our
House were invested by that reverend and devout man, John Wale, Prior of
the Regulars in the state of Zwolle, for he had been summoned for this
very purpose. This number four did mystically signify the number of the
four Evangelists, and the names of these Brothers, which are worthy to be
cherished by them that come after, are here set down. The first was
Brother Egbert of Lingen, who had been chosen for the priesthood by the
Brothers on the Mount three years before this time.

The second was Brother Wolfard, son of Matthias of Medenblike, a priest
of great age.

The third was John Ummen, a Clerk who came from Campen, a kinsman of John
of Ummen, our first founder. The fourth was Dirk of Kleef, a Clerk who
came from that state. These four made their profession on the same day,
and when the Divine Mysteries had been celebrated, and their bodies had
been refreshed, they spent the day in spiritual rejoicing and brotherly
love. Brother Egbert was the Senior in standing and took the place of
Rector of the House until a new Rector appointed by the Chapter should
come; then he gave place to Brother Wolfard and stood humbly behind him.