June 6 is the feast of St. Norbert (c. 1080-1134), the founder of the Order of Premonstratensian Canons Regular and archbishop of Magdeburg. Born at Xanten, in the Rhineland, he was a cleric of the imperial court until a conversion experience in 1115 — thrown from his horse in a thunderstorm, he cried out "Lord, what would you have me do?" — turned him to the religious life. He was ordained priest, gave away his wealth, and began to preach.
In 1120, at Prémontré, near Laon, he founded a community of canons regular who lived the Rule of St. Augustine in common, with a double monastery of men and women. The Premonstratensians — the "Norbertines" — spread rapidly through France, Germany, and the Low Countries, and became one of the great reforming orders of the 12th century. In 1126 Norbert was made archbishop of Magdeburg, where he reformed the diocese and promoted the mission to the Slavs.
Norbert died at Magdeburg in 1134 and was canonized in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. His body lies in the abbey of Strahov at Prague, to which it was translated in 1627. From Xanten, where he was born, to Prague, where he is buried, the June 6 feast is the feast of the courtier who became the reformer.
Connected Destinations
Prague
Czechia · Europe
Bohemia's thousand-year capital where the Infant Jesus draws pilgrims from across the globe, St. John of Nepomuk was martyred on Charles Bridge, and the coronation cathedral of St. Vitus still guards the relics of patron saints.
Cologne
Germany · Europe
Cologne Cathedral houses the Shrine of the Three Kings, making it one of Northern Europe's most important Catholic pilgrimage sites.