About the Author
Sister Jordan Thomas, O.P. SAGI Torchbearer & SAGI Senior Advisor, Inspiring Faith and Theocentric Education
ST. NORBERT OF XANTEN: APOSTLE OF THE EUCHARIST
Words of Wisdom: “There is no fault, no want of fidelity, no evil tendency, no sin, which, if sincerely detested, cannot be cleansed, purified, and pardoned by the Blood of Jesus; there is no weakness which He cannot cure, strengthen, and transform. Moreover, there is no creature of good will, no matter how weak and insignificant, who, in the Name of Jesus, cannot aspire to sanctity.” (Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., Divine Intimacy) (1)
EARLY LIFE
St. Norbert of Xanten was born at the end of the 11th century into one of the most noble families of Germany. (2) During his childhood, he was educated at the famous Cathedral of St. Viktor in Xanten, his hometown, and he was eventually ordained to the subdiaconate. (3)
Although Norbert was bound to the disciplines of religious life as a canon and subdeacon at St. Viktor, he habitually disregarded his obligations and, instead, followed a life of worldliness and dissipation. Leaving Xanten, he joined the court of Emperor Henry V (d. 1125), who took great interest in Norbert for his nobility, scholarship, and giftedness. Norbert, in turn, became an assistant to the emperor, aiding him even in his stratagems against the reigning pope, Paschal II (d. 1118). (4)
CONVERSION AND PRIESTHOOD
While in Rome with Henry V, Norbert witnessed Henry’s duplicity in addition to his great lack of respect for the sovereign pontiff, whom Henry imprisoned. These circumstances led Norbert to become disinterested in having any further part in the emperor’s court, and so he returned to his hometown. (5)
Although, initially, Norbert continued to lead a sinful life, his desire for pleasure and ease quickly ended when he was traveling by horseback and was nearly struck by lightning. Falling from his horse, Norbert’s mind at last turned to God, and he asked, “Lord, what wouldst thou have me to do?” The answer came quickly: “Turn away from evil, and do good: seek after peace, and pursue it” (Psalm 33:15). Norbert thus received the grace of a wholehearted conversion. From this time until the end of his life, he dedicated himself entirely to serving God. (6)
Following his conversion, one of Norbert’s greatest desires was to be ordained a priest. Wishing to imitate the Holy Apostles in a special way, Norbert felt drawn to becoming a missionary. After selling his belongings, and having used most of his money in almsgiving, he obtained permission from Pope Gelasius II (d. 1119) to devote himself particularly to preaching––a work he performed tirelessly and with great success, converting numerous heretics and sinners. (7)
FOUNDER OF THE ORDER OF PREMONTRÈ
Such was the success of Norbert’s preaching that Pope Callistus II (d. 1124) suggested that he form a monastic community with the aim of preparing other men to undertake a missionary apostolate. (8) Such a community would not only greatly extend Norbert’s work of preaching by means of other missionary priests like himself, but a legacy would also be established which would benefit many future generations.
Norbert thus founded the Order of Premontrè, which was named after the location of the Order’s first monastery, wherein Norbert and his first disciples formed a religious community. (9) Although the beginnings of this foundation were extremely modest, the number of Norbert’s followers quickly increased, and a fully-functional monastery was eventually built. As the community continued to grow rapidly, Nobert established additional monasteries in other locations, convents of contemplative nuns, and a Third Order (by means of which laypersons could also become a part of Norbert’s spiritual family). (10)
Norbert chose the Rule of St. Augustine for his disciples (now known as “Norbertines”) to follow. Norbert’s aim was to establish a way of life that was directed to the glory of God by working for the salvation of souls. Thus, he desired that his disciples be thoroughly educated in the truths of the Faith so that they could convey these great truths to others by their preaching and example. (11)
APOSTLE OF THE EUCHARIST
In visual art, Norbert is often depicted holding the monstrance (an ornate vessel which contains the Blessed Sacrament and is used during Its exposition), signifying his profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and his love for the Mass. (12) While an infamous heretic named Tankelin had been publicly teaching falsehoods regarding the Eucharist, Norbert defended the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and worked for the conversion of Tankelin’s followers, many of whom embraced the true Faith. (13)
Special devotion to the Holy Eucharist is thus a particular hallmark of Nobert’s Order, and it is considered one of its special ends, among “prayer, zeal for the salvation of souls, the spirit of habitual penance, [and] devotion...to our Lady.” (14)
ARCHBISHOP OF MAGDEBURG
Although Norbert wished to avoid accepting any ecclesiastical dignities, he was elected archbishop of Magdeburg, Germany. After having assumed the episcopate, Norbert discovered various scandals on the part of the clergy of Magdeburg, as well as monetary abuses occurring within the dioceses, and he did all in his power to put an end to such things. (15) However, by doing so, he quickly became hated by many evildoers, some of whom attempted to put an end to his life. (16)
Despite the great good Norbert accomplished in his diocese, hostility towards him grew to such an extent that he was expelled from Magdeburg. As he awaited a resolution to these difficulties, he prayed for all his persecutors, who eventually repented of having persecuted him. (17)
DEATH
Norbert spent his last years undertaking many various tasks, including working to defend the papacy, acting as counsellor in civil government, and continuing to serve his Order and to establish new monasteries. (18) However, in the year 1134, he fell severely ill, and on the Wednesday following Pentecost, at the age of about fifty-four years, he received his eternal reward. Among the miracles attributed to Norbert’s intercession, six hundred Protestants converted to the Catholic Faith during the transfer of his relics in the year 1627. (19)
GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS
History frequently illustrates God’s mysterious choice of instruments to accomplish His Holy Will. Sometimes, those who, like St. Norbert, once led sinful lives later become, upon conversion, some of the most fervent of Christians. Although Norbert, in his youth, had spent many years in vice and negligence, God changed his heart and made him the founder of a legacy that has continued for over nine-hundred years––one that has brought about the conversions of many heretics and sinners, and has enriched the Church with numerous holy priests, nuns, and laypersons.
REFERENCES AND NOTES
- Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., “Efficacious Prayer: Fifth Sunday After Easter” in Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year, trans. Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Boston,
(Baronius Press, 2020), 508. - A Norbertine Father, St. Norbert and His Order, Part One, Chapter I (Mediatrix Press: 2015), 14.
- Norbertine Canonesses of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph. “Our Holy Father Saint Norbert.” Accessed August 8, 2025. https://norbertinesisters.org/st-norbert/
- A Norbertine Father, St. Norbert, 14, 15.
- Ibid., 15.
- Rev. Alban Butler, “June VI. St. Norbert, C.” in The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and other Principle Saints, Volume VI (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1895), p. 508.
- A Norbertine Father, St. Norbert, 17-19.
- Ibid., 22.
- F. M. Geudens, “Premonstratensian Canons” in The Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. XII. (New York: Encyclopedia Press, 1913), 387.
- Geudens, “Saint Norbert” in Encyclopedia, Vol. XI., 100-101.
- Geudens, “Premonstratensian Canons” in Encyclopedia, Vol. XII., 387-388.
- John Gilmary Shea (ed.), “June 6.––St. Norbert, Bishop.” Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints With Reflections For Every Day in the Year, (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1878), 315.
- Butler, Lives, 510-511.
- A Norbertine Father, St. Norbert, 44.
- Ibid., 29-34.
- Butler, Lives, 511-512.
- A Norbertine Father, St. Norbert, 35.
- Ibid., 35-36.
- Geudens, “Saint Norbert” in Encyclopedia, Vol. XI., 101.
