St. Norbert
Feast 06-06 · Canonized 1582
Patron of
About
Norbert was born around 1080 in Xanten, in the Rhineland, into a noble family. He lived a worldly life as a young canon until a near-fatal lightning strike in 1115 brought about his conversion. He gave away his possessions and became an itinerant preacher.
In 1120 he founded the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, known as the Premonstratensians or Norbertines, combining the contemplative life with pastoral ministry. He later became Archbishop of Magdeburg, where he worked to reform the clergy.
He died in 1134 and was canonized in 1582. He is venerated as a patron of peace and of expectant mothers.
Suggested prayer
O God, who threw St. Norbert from his horse with a lightning bolt and woke him to the Gospel, grant through his intercession that expectant mothers may be kept safe, and that the worldly and comfortable may be shaken awake to you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
