Catholic Fire

Today, June 6 the, Catholic Church honors Saint Norbert of Xanten, who began his adulthood as a  worldly cleric, but was transformed by God’s grace into a powerful preacher and an ardent reformer of the 12th century Church. He is also the founder of the Norbertines. Norbert was born around the year 1080 in Xanten near Cologne, Germany. He was the son of minor nobility and entered the diaconate to obtain a position at the court.  As an adult, he began a career at the Court of the Emperor Henry V. Although a cleric, Norbert lived as a "playboy" for many years. A religious vocation was far from his mind until he experienced a dramatic conversion, similar to that of St Paul on the road to Damascus. While riding one day, he was overtaken by a thunderstorm and nearly killed by a lightning bolt.  His frightened horse threw him and he lay unconscious for some time. He heard the voice of Christ reprimanding him for his conduct: "Turn away from evil and do good. Seek peac...

Today, June 6 the, Catholic Church honors Saint Norbert of Xanten, who began his adulthood as a  worldly cleric, but was transformed by God’s grace into a powerful preacher and an ardent reformer of the 12th century Church. He is also the founder of the Norbertines. Norbert was born around the year 1080 in Xanten near Cologne, Germany. He was the son of minor nobility and by his birth was entitled to join the high ranking offices within the Church, the state, or both, including one as a Canon of the Cathedral of Xanten.  As an adult, he began a career at the Court of the Emperor Henry V. Although a cleric, Norbert lived as a "playboy" for many years. A religious vocation was far from his mind until he experienced a dramatic conversion, similar to that of St Paul on the road to Damascus. The decisive change took place suddenly in 1115. While riding one day, he was overtaken by a thunderstorm and nearly killed by a lightning bolt.  His frightened horse threw him an...

St. Norbert was born in the area of Cleves to a noble family around the year 1080. Although he became a cleric, he lived a worldly life for many years. However, he experienced a conversion experience 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. As in the case of St. Paul, the experience wrought a complete transformation. Norbert decided to give away his property and income rights, and to lead an austere life. He joined the Benedictines of Siegburg and was ordained to the priesthood in 1115. Undertaking the apostolic life, he accepted the duty of preaching, particularly throughout France and Germany. Gathering together some companions, he laid the foundations of the Premonstratensian Order, for which he also founded monasteries. In 1125, Norbert was named archbishop of Magdeburg. On July 13, 1126, he entered the city and came baref...