JUNE 6
ST. NORBERT
Norbert was born in Germany around the year 1080. He was good while a child
and teenager. Then at the court of Emperor Henry V, Norbert spent all his
time on frivolous things. He thought only of acquiring positions of honor.
He was the first to arrive at parties and celebrations. He was thoroughly
happy with "the good life." One day, however, he was frightened by a flash
of lightning. His horse bolted. Norbert was thrown to the ground and knocked
unconscious. When he woke, he began to think seriously about the way his
life was going. God felt very near. Norbert realized that the Lord was
offering him the grace to change for the better. Gradually, he went back to
the idea he had once had several years earlier. He had considered becoming a
priest. Now he would. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.
Father Norbert worked hard to make others turn from their worldly ways. He
gave a good example by selling all he had to give the money to the poor. St.
Norbert became the founder of a congregation for the spreading of the faith.
His original group began their religious life as a community of thirteen.
They lived in the valley of Premontre. That is why they are called
Premon-stratensians .They are also called Norbertines, after their founder.
St. Norbert was chosen bishop of the city of Magdeburg. He entered the city
wearing very poor clothes and no shoes. The porter at the door of the
bishop's house did not know him and refused to let him in. He told him to go
join the other beggars. "But he is our new bishop!" shouted those who knew
the saint. The porter was shocked and very sorry. "Never mind, dear
brother," St. Norbert said kindly. "You judge me more correctly than those
who brought me here."
St. Norbert had to combat a heresy which denied that Jesus is really present
in the Holy Eucharist. His beautiful words about Our Lord's presence in the
Blessed Sacrament brought the people back to their holy faith. In March,
1133, he and his great friend, St. Bernard (whose feast is celebrated on
August 20) walked in an unusual procession. They joined the emperor and his
army to accompany the true pope, Innocent II, safely to the Vatican.
St. Norbert died in 1134. Pope Gregory XIII proclaimed him a saint in 1582.
Am I thinking seriously about the way my life is going? Is my predominant
concern acquiring positions of honor, having a "good life," and turning to
worldly values? What is God inviting me today?
ST. NORBERT
Norbert was born in Germany around the year 1080. He was good while a child
and teenager. Then at the court of Emperor Henry V, Norbert spent all his
time on frivolous things. He thought only of acquiring positions of honor.
He was the first to arrive at parties and celebrations. He was thoroughly
happy with "the good life." One day, however, he was frightened by a flash
of lightning. His horse bolted. Norbert was thrown to the ground and knocked
unconscious. When he woke, he began to think seriously about the way his
life was going. God felt very near. Norbert realized that the Lord was
offering him the grace to change for the better. Gradually, he went back to
the idea he had once had several years earlier. He had considered becoming a
priest. Now he would. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.
Father Norbert worked hard to make others turn from their worldly ways. He
gave a good example by selling all he had to give the money to the poor. St.
Norbert became the founder of a congregation for the spreading of the faith.
His original group began their religious life as a community of thirteen.
They lived in the valley of Premontre. That is why they are called
Premon-stratensians .They are also called Norbertines, after their founder.
St. Norbert was chosen bishop of the city of Magdeburg. He entered the city
wearing very poor clothes and no shoes. The porter at the door of the
bishop's house did not know him and refused to let him in. He told him to go
join the other beggars. "But he is our new bishop!" shouted those who knew
the saint. The porter was shocked and very sorry. "Never mind, dear
brother," St. Norbert said kindly. "You judge me more correctly than those
who brought me here."
St. Norbert had to combat a heresy which denied that Jesus is really present
in the Holy Eucharist. His beautiful words about Our Lord's presence in the
Blessed Sacrament brought the people back to their holy faith. In March,
1133, he and his great friend, St. Bernard (whose feast is celebrated on
August 20) walked in an unusual procession. They joined the emperor and his
army to accompany the true pope, Innocent II, safely to the Vatican.
St. Norbert died in 1134. Pope Gregory XIII proclaimed him a saint in 1582.
Am I thinking seriously about the way my life is going? Is my predominant
concern acquiring positions of honor, having a "good life," and turning to
worldly values? What is God inviting me today?
No comments:
Post a Comment