Saint Norbert (1080-1134)
Image: Catholic Culture
(Franciscan Media) Born into nobility in Germany Xanten, Norbert was raised around the Royal Court according to SQPN and served as Almoner (official distributor of Alms) for Emperor Henry V — While in the Court, he developed a very worldly view and joined the Benedictines at Siegburg.
During the 12th century in the French region of Premontre, Norbert founded a Religious Order known as the Premonstratensians (also known as the: Norbertines) the founding of the Order was a huge undertaking. They followed the Rule of Saint Augustine, with attention in five areas:
- Singing of the Divine Office
- Devotion to Saving of Souls for Christ
- Spirit of Habitual Penance
- Commitment to the Holy Eucharist
- Passion for the Immaculate Conception
Norbert entertained no pretensions about his own ability to accomplish the multiple tasks, even with the aid of Priests, Nuns and Clerics that joined the Order, he realized that nothing could be accomplished without God’s power and direction.
Finding this help especially in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, the ‘Premonstratensians’ praised God in the successes they had in converting heretics, reconciling numerous people and others, together with rebuilding faith within dispassionate believers.
Norbert was later made Archbishop in Germany Magdeburg, in this position Bishop Norbert continued his work zealously and courageously for the Church until his death on this date in 1134 — Norbert was Canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII
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