Monday, June 6, 2011

Saint Norbert

Yesterday it was Saint Boniface.  Today it's Saint Norbert.


Norbert was born in the duchy of Cleves around the year 1080.  A canon of the church of Xanten, (canons still exist in major basilicas in some places in the world today) Norbert was converted from a worldly life and, embracing the religious state, was ordained to the priesthood in 1115.

Undertaking the apostolic life, he accepted the duty of preaching, particularly throughout France and Germany.  Gathering together some companions, he laid the foundations for the Premonstratensian Order, for which he also founded monasteries.  Elected Archbishop of Magdeburg* in 1126, he reformed the Christian life and spread the faith to nearby pagan nations. 

Saint Norbert died in 1134.

*The Archdiocese of Magdeburg was supressed in 1622, but there is still a Diocese of Magdeburg in existence today.

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