Thought for the Day – 6 June
The name of St Norbert’s order is unfamiliar to most but the Premonstratensians are an ancient order, founded in 1121. His Canons Regular of Premontre made a huge contribution to the religious culture of Europe and athe world and are as active today as they were when they were founded. One of it’s members, founded and directs the “Church in Need”, which works quietly to assist Catholics in those countries where the faith is suppressed.
St Norbert showed himself to be a forceful reformer and was almost assassinated several times. He was a friend of, and highly regarded by St Bernard of Clairvaux, who assisted him wherever he could. Even with the aid of a goodly number of men who joined his Order, he realised that nothing could be effectively done without God’s power. Finding this help especially in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, he and his Norbertines praised God for success in converting heretics, reconciling numerous enemies and rebuilding faith in indifferent believers.
St Norbert was 33 years old before he took God seriously and during the next 20 years he made up for lost time. He did not stop to bewail lost years but gave everything he had to God. It is never too late to begin and God is always waiting for our service. We do not need a bolt of lightening to get started.
Unswerving loyalty to the Church and fervent devotion to the Eucharist, as practiced by Norbert, will continue immeasurably toward maintaining the people of God in accord with the heart of Christ.
Let us get going!
St Norbert, pray for us.
AnaStpaul 