Norbert, Saint

NORBERTO, saint. — Founder of the Canons Regular of Prémontré (hence the Premonstratensians), presently in the department of Aisne, born at Xanten, in the duchy of Cleves, around 1080, to the noble Limburgish family of Gennep, died on 6 June 1134. He was initially a worldly ecclesiastic, devoted to the emperor Henry V, whom he accompanied to Rome in 1111 on the occasion of his imperial coronation and the scandalous outrages inflicted upon Pope Paschal II.
After his conversion following a fright experienced during a hurricane, he adopted an ascetic life under the direction of Abbot Cuno of Siegburg and was ordained a priest. Subsequently, encouraged by Gelasius II and his successor Callistus II, N. preached peace and concord in northern France and the Low Countries, especially at Antwerp. The bishop of Laon settled him at Prémontré; from there, on numerous journeys, he populated the affiliated houses of Prémontré with white-robed canons; at his death, in 1130, there were 15 of them; six years later they numbered a hundred. Initially devoted to poverty, and later to the service of rural parishes, the Norbertines added their customs or statutes to the Rule of St. Augustine; these were drawn up in 1138 by Hugh of Fosses, N.’s successor. In 1126 N. became archbishop of Magdeburg, and subsequently chancellor of the Empire. A faithful supporter of Honorius II at the time of the schism of Anacletus, he was, like St. Benedict, one of the most influential ecclesiastics of his time. Feast day: 11 June.