When I first heard God calling me to religious life, I was confused by the wide variety of communities, each with their own ideals, their own charisms, and their own expression of how to live the Gospel message. I had always been fascinated by the preaching of the Dominicans, the holy poverty and solidarity with the poor of the Franciscans, and the "ora et labora" of the Benedictines. But, I felt like the ideals I was being called to were slightly different. The Eucharist was at the center of what I wanted to represent. I had a love for the divine office and the Mass, and I liked the stability of living in an Abbey while still being able to live life of pastoral care. When I stumbled upon the Five Pillars of Communio of the Norbertine Order, I knew God was calling me here.
- "Laus Deo in Choro" (The Praise of God in Choir)
Church history shows us that the Canons of the Church sung the Divine Office in Cathedrals throughout Europe. Canons today, including the Norbertines (Canons Regular of Premontre), continue this long tradition today in their Abbeys around the world. The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey sing both Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) every day, sanctifying the day and praying for the people of the Diocese of Green Bay and the world. Pope Benedict expressed the beauty of singing the psalms in 2008 where he said, "Christian worship is therefore an invitation to sing with the angels, and thus to lead the word to its highest destination." Pope Pius XI said of the Norbertine Canons: "You are my Order. Just as bishops have their canons delegated to offer public prayer in their diocese, in the same way you are my canons, not just for one diocese, but for the universal Church."
- "Zelus Animarum " (The Care of Souls)
This pillar shows the Norbertines willingness to go out to the world to preach Christ through word and sacrament. The Norbertines of St. Norbert Abbey have many ministries, including teaching, hospital and prison ministries, parish ministries, and many, many more.
- "Spiritus Iugis Penitentiæ" (Spirit of Habitual Penance)
The Norbertine constitutions call every individual to give of themselves completely to their community and to the people of God. This is an essential part of the Christian life, and also of living in community. Every Norbertine is called to a life of constant conversion with the help of fraternal correction, where we walk together in the ideals of Norbert and Augustine toward God. It is these calls that can be very challenging, but also rewarding as we grow in holiness day to day.
- "Cultus Eucharisticus" (Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament)
Many of the miracles of Norbert are affiliated with his love of the Eucharist. It is said that when Norbert was saying Mass, he discovered a poisonous spider in the chalice along with the Blood of Christ. In order to stay reverent towards God in the Sacrament, he drank the blood anyways. Shortly after, the spider crawled out of Norbert’s nose and onto the floor, leaving Norbert unharmed. Norbert is well known for fighting the Eucharisitic heresy of Tanchelm in Antwerp, which led to his title of "Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament," a title he earned in the 1500’s. This is why Norbert is most often pictures with a Monstrance and a man under his foot (Tanchelm). Because of Norbert’s love and defending of the true Body and Blood of Christ present in the Eucharist, Norbertines today have a unique and special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
- "Cultus Marianus" (Devotion to Mary)
Norbert was well known for saying the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary wherever he went. It was also Mary that showed Norbert the place of his original founding spot, Premontre. Mary is also credited with giving Norbert the white habit. After Norbert built his Church at Premontre, he dedicated to the Mother of God. Because of Norbert’s special love of Mary, we too, following in Norbert’s footsteps, stay devoted to her.
Frater Matthew Dougherty, O. Praem.
|
