St Norbert

Today is the feast of St Norbert, Archbishop of Magdeburg and founder of the Premonstratensian Order, or, as they are more often known today, the Norbertines.

I must admit that until relatively recent years I associated the Premonstratensians as an order in this country solely with the middle ages, when they had an extensive series of abbeys across England. I now know that they are alive and well and, indeed, flourishing with new recruits and new foundations. Several of their members are people I have known in Oxford and who have found their vocation with the Order. Their website can be read at Norbertine Vocations.

Today is therefore a day on which to give thanks for St Norbert and his Order, and especially to pray for my Norbertine friends at St Philip's Priory Chelmsford.