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Old Calendar: St. Norbert
St. Norbert was born at Xanten near Cologne about the year 1080. As a young cleric he resided at the court of the Archbishop of Cologne and then at that of the emperor where he allowed himself to be influenced by the spirit of the world. But he was won back by grace; caught by a storm during a journey on horseback he made up his mind to take his clerical obligations seriously. After ordination to the priesthood he devoted himself to itinerant preaching.
In 1120, on the advice of the bishop of Laon, he settled in the forest of Voix, not far from Soissons at a place called Premontre, in order to found a community of regular Canons. In 1126 he was sent to what was then one of the outposts of Christendom for he was appointed archbishop of Magdeburg. He died in 1134.St. Norbert Although a cleric, Norbert led a very worldly life for a number of years. The decisive change took place suddenly in 1115. While riding one day, he was overtaken by a thunderstorm. A flash of lightning struck the ground before him, the horse threw him, and he seemed to hear a voice upbraiding him for his conduct.
- Read the life of St. Norbert written by his first disciple, Hugh, who succeded him in the government of his order.
- St. Norbert was called the “Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament”. Try making a holy hour today and pray to St. Norbert to help us to have a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, too.
- For those interested in liturgical music you can read about Norbertine Gregorian Chant. The order has its "own" chant.
- Read this brief history and overview of the Norbertine Order.
- Here is an excellent link to even more information about St. Norbert.
- The Norbertine order has been around for 900 years. The Canons Regular of Prémontré, otherwise known as the Premonstratensians or the Norbertines, run the parish of Our Lady of England, Storrington. Learn more about their charism here.