St. Norbert Of Xanten Medal and Necklace

Sterling Silver St. Norbert Of Xanten Medal and Necklace

14KT Gold Filled St. Norbert Of Xanten Medal and Necklace

14KT Gold St Norbert Of Xanten Medal

ST. NORBERT

Born into riches

Saint Norbert was born at Xanten in the Rhineland of Germany in year 1080, to a princely family. He possessed rare talents, yet permitted himself to be carried away by worldly pleasures. He even received the ecclesiastical tonsure with a worldly spirit, and though he later was ordained as a sub-deacon, failed to change his spirit or his conduct. Saint Norbert’s cousin, Emperor Henry IV, appointed him his almoner, and Norbert sought in vain contentment and peace of mind in his life of overindulgence and luxury.

Calling from God

God awakened him from his spiritual lethargy by a narrow escape from death. One day while horseback riding, a severe storm broke and lightning fell in front of his horse. Frightened, the horse threw Saint Norbert, who lay like one dead for nearly an hour. He cried to God, like St. Paul, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” An interior voice replied: “Turn away from evil, and do good; seek after peace, and pursue it”. At that moment, he became a sincere penitent and resolved to lead a new life.

Transforming his life

St. Norbert left the Court and retired to his canonry to lead a life of silence and retirement. He spent two years in tears, holy prayer and penance, in preparation for Holy Orders, which he received from the Archbishop of Cologne at thirty-two years old. First, he exposed the abuses of his own Order, and after having obtained the Pope’s permission, he preached penance with incredible success in France and the Netherlands.

Monastery

In 1120, in a lonesome valley called Premontre, the Bishop of Laon erected a monastery for St. Norbert, who assembled thirteen brethren from Brabant desirous of serving God under his direction. The number soon increased to forty, and on Christmas day of year 1121, these Canon Regulars, as they were called, made their profession. They followed the Rule of St. Augustine, and led an austere life. Later they were known as Norbertines or Premonstratensians. Their fervor renewed the spirit of the clergy, enlivened the faith of the people, and destroyed heresy.

Murder attempts

At the diet of Spire in 1126, St. Norbert was appointed Archbishop of Magdeburg. By his authority, eloquence, and example he reformed both the clergy and laity of his Diocese. Several attempts were made to murder St. Norbert, but he calmly said: “Can you be surprised that the devil, after having offered violence to our Divine Head, should assault His members?” St. Bernard and St. Norbert labored strenuously to prevent or remedy the disorders of the division which occurred after the death of Honorius II.

Death

Saint Norbert suffered a four months’ illness, and died the death of the just at Magdeburg on June 6, 1134. He was canonized by Gregory XIII in 1582. He is usually depicted in art holding a ciborium, on account of his extraordinary devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

St. Norbert of Xanten Rosary
UPC: 617759278187
Brand: Bliss