23rd Jul - INSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF OUR MOTHER OF PREMONTRE, ENGLAND

 Saint Norbert was not a particularly pious young man until he had an encounter with God similar to that of St. Paul. While riding through the countryside one bright day in the year 

    1115, Norbert had not gone far with the sky darkened due to a sudden storm. A bolt of lightning struck the ground near Norbert, causing his mount to rear and throw him to the ground. 

    Norbert lay unconscious for some time, but when he awoke he went to his knees, calling out, “Lord, what dost thou wish that I should do?” A voice was heard to respond: 

    “Avoid evil and do good.” At that, Norbert was a changed man, determined to obey the heavenly command. He made a spiritual retreat and became a priest, giving away his estates and 

    retiring to a life of rural solitude, applying himself to a life of prayer and contemplation. Saint Norbert left his hermitage from time to time to preach in France, 

    Belgium and Germany, begging for his bread along the way. In time, a few good men were drawn to his sanctity and began to follow him. 

    A remote place in the marshy forested lands of Premontre was selected to be the place where they decided to make their place of retreat, 

    devoting themselves to the chanting of the Divine Office, prayer and meditation. Soon they had a simple monastery and Church in the wilderness. Saint Norbert had a tender devotion 

    to Our Mother of Premontre who appeared to him in a vision, giving Norbert the white habit that he and his brothers as religious to wear.




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