St. Norbert

Their story

Norbert was born around 1080 in Xanten, in Germany, to a noble family. He was ordained a subdeacon and given comfortable Church positions, but he lived a worldly life at the court of the emperor, enjoying wealth and pleasure with little thought of God. Around 1115, while he was riding through the countryside, a violent storm broke out, and a bolt of lightning struck near him and threw him from his horse. Shaken, he asked, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" and he seemed to hear an answer: turn from evil and do good. Norbert's life changed completely. He was ordained a priest, gave away his wealth and, with the pope's permission, traveled as a barefoot preacher through France and Germany, calling people to conversion and making peace between enemies. In 1120, at Prémontré in France, he founded a community of priests who lived together under the Rule of St. Augustine, combining prayer, community life and pastoral work. They became known as the Premonstratensians, or Norbertines, and they spread rapidly. In 1126 Norbert was named archbishop of Magdeburg. It is said that when he arrived barefoot and poorly dressed, the doorkeeper turned him away as a beggar. He worked hard to reform his diocese despite fierce opposition. He had a great love for the Eucharist and defended the real presence of Christ against those who denied it, which is why he is often shown holding a monstrance. He died on June 6, 1134, and was canonized in 1582.