St. Norbert: Playboy to Preacher
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...