Norbert was a barefoot bishop

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

	St. Norbert When: 1080-1134 Where: Belgium, France, Germany What: Founder of the Norbertines Feast: June 6

Some of our strongest saints - Paul and Augustine, for example - went through major conversion experiences. The same is true for St. Norbert, founder of the Premonstratensians or, as they're better known, the Norbertines.

This 12th century saint was born into a royal family in Xanten in northwest Germany, near the Netherlands' border. As was common for sons of nobility, he was ordained a subdeacon and made a canon - a cleric connected to a cathedral - while continuing to live in luxury in the court of Henry V and giving alms to the poor. Norbert had no interest in the priesthood and also refused an offer to become a bishop.

One day in 1115 he was knocked off his horse during a thunderstorm and underwent a conversion similar to that of Paul on the road to Damascus. When he came to, Norbert prayed: "Lord, what would you have me do?" An inner voice replied: "Turn away from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it."

He returned to Xanten to pray, fast and meditate, then went on retreat at an abbey near Cologne. While there he was ordained to the priesthood and adopted a monk's habit.

He set out to reform his fellow canons at Xanten, who accused him of hypocrisy and preaching without permission. So he sold all he owned (except a mule, vestments, a chalice and a paten) and gave the money to the poor. He then began walking barefoot, with two servants who refused to leave him, to confess his sins to Pope Gelasius II, who was exile in France. After hearing his story, the pope gave him permission to preach wherever he chose.

He began preaching in northern France, walking barefoot in the snow. He again tried without success to reform the canons at Xanten and Laon. The Bishop of Laon then decided Norbert should start his own community. Norbert chose a spot in France's Premontre Valley. He started in 1120 with 13 followers. By Christmas 1121, when they made their profession, there were 40. They wore white habits and followed the rule of St. Augustine.

By 1125, Norbert received papal approval of the order, which by then had eight abbeys and two convents of nuns. About then, Count Theobald of Champagne asked to join, but Norbert insisted he marry and follow certain rules, making him the first person in the church to belong to a Third Order.

Soon after, Norbert became the archbishop of Magdeburg, Germany. When he arrived at the bishop's house barefoot, wearing tattered clothes, the porter refused to let him in, until the people convinced the porter that he was their new bishop.

In his new role, Norbert began reforming the clergy, insisting that they practice celibacy; regained church lands that had been taken by officials; and preached the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. After attempts on his life, Norbert left the city until the people asked him to return because of pressure from the church and emperor.

After the death of Pope Honorius II, there were two rival popes, Innocent II and Anacletus II. Norbert, St. Hugh of Grenoble and St. Bernard supported Innocent and convinced Emperor Lothair to lead an army into Rome accompanying Innocent, Bernard and Norbert. Norbert died soon after.