St. Norbert, founder of the Canons Regular of Premontre, was born at Cleves, Germany, in 1080. In his younger days his life was spent in vices and worldly pleasures. He became a subdeacon but in an unworthy spirit. At 33, an accident became the occasion of his conversion. His horse, frightened by a violent thunderstorm threw him to the ground where he lay half-dead. He asked the Lord what he wanted him to do. To which an inner voice replied: Turn the evil to do good, seek after peace and pursue it.. He retired to Xanten, where he led a life of prayer and penance in preparation for ordination. He gave all his possessions to the poor and made a public confession to Pope Gelasius II. In response, the Pope granted permission to preach the Gospel.
In 1121, Norbert opened a religious community in lonely valley of Premontre, as they were known, were officially approved by pope Honorious II in 1125. Five years later he was appointed Bishop of Magdeburg. St. Norbert died at Magdeburg in 1134 and his relics are now resting in the abbey of Strahov in Bohemia.
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