Saint Norbert of Xanten, the founder of the Premonstratensian Order, was born around 1080 to 1085 in Xanten, 100 km north of Cologne. His father, Herbert, was the lord of Gennep Castle, and his mother, Hedwig, likely belonged to the family of the dukes of Lorraine. As a younger son, Norbert was dedicated to the Lord according to the custom of the time and became a canon of the Xanten chapter. Although his duty was to sing praises to God in the choir of canons, he did not give up his secular life. Later, due to his abilities, he joined the court of Archbishop Frederick of Cologne and subsequently Emperor Henry V's court. Norbert accompanied the emperor to Rome, where Henry was crowned by Pope Paschal II in 1111. The emperor's violent actions against the pope over the investiture controversy deeply affected Norbert and contributed to his conversion. In the summer of 1115, Norbert, riding on horseback during a storm, was struck by lightning. This experience transformed him into a humble penitent, changing his life completely.
This decision by Norbert was final. Previously a subdeacon, he was ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Cologne and began his journey as a zealous preacher. In 1118, he distributed his wealth and went to St-Gilles in southern France, where Pope Gelasius II resided. From him, Norbert received official permission to act as a wandering preacher. Excessive exertion associated with his apostolic work caused him to fall seriously ill, forcing him to pause his missionary activities. After recovery in 1120, he and a few disciples, including his best friend Hugo of Cambrai-Fosses, retreated to a secluded spot near Laon, northwest of Reims. The small place of Prémontré, where the men settled, was to become the birthplace of the Premonstratensian Order.
Norbert, the founder of the order whose members are also known as Norbertines in some countries, gave his small community the Rule of St. Augustine; thus, a reformist order of Augustinian canons was established. The Premonstratensians, clothed in white religious garb, sought with utmost seriousness and the strictest spirit of penance to renew the original monastic ideal. By sanctifying themselves, they aimed to sanctify their surroundings. Their reputation as "holy religious brothers" spread quickly, and more like-minded individuals flocked to Prémontré, hidden in dense forests, to join Norbert. The place, shaped like a cross as if created for prayer, saw a rapid increase in followers. Some accompanied Norbert in his preaching, while others stayed in Prémontré or went to newly founded houses. Communities of sisters emerged near the monasteries to assist in apostolate and charitable work. Even laypeople were accepted, for whom a third order was established, a first in church history, pioneered by the Premonstratensians. Six years after founding the order, in 1126, Norbert was appointed Archbishop of Magdeburg by Pope Honorius II. His reform efforts garnered admiration on one hand and provoked violent opposition from critics on the other. In 1128, Norbert handed over the leadership of his order to his friend Hugo. After a laborious life, this extraordinary man of the Church died on June 6, 1134, in Magdeburg. He was buried in the local monastic church. In 1627, his remains were transferred to the Premonstratensian monastery at Strahov in Prague. A famous quote from the order's founder, recognized as a saint by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582, goes: "I have been at court, lived in a monastery, held high ecclesiastical offices, and everywhere I learned that there is nothing better than to surrender oneself entirely to God."
Saint Norbert is often depicted in Premonstratensian monastic garb or archbishop's robes, holding a chalice or monstrance, and sometimes at his feet lies the heretic Tanchelm, who denied Christ's presence in the Eucharist. Since his transfer to Prague in 1627, the saint has been one of the patrons of the Czech lands.
Saint Isfrid
June 16th