A Sign of God’s Grace
St. Norbert, in the year 1120, received inspiration to plant the seeds of what would become a long-enduring religious order of priests and brothers. Now, 900 years later, this anniversary is evidence that what Norbert began, continues to be a sign of God’s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
As we approach the great Solemnity of Pentecost next Sunday, I have been meditating upon the movement of the Holy Spirit. We live in “the time of the Holy Spirit.” This is the time of the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise, that he would be with us until the end of the ages, forever! Question: How is God present, made manifest, and able to be known in our current age? Answer: By the power of the Spirit which renews us and all creation, and by the enduring testimony of Jesus the Christ, our model and example.
Norbertine life in community, where the confreres live, pray, plan, and decide in the light and power of the Holy Spirit, seeks to be a light for others to see the work of God in our current age. The Good News of Jesus Christ guides our life together. Each Norbertine has made a solemn promise to live according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Rule of St. Augustine, and the Constitutions of the Order of Premontre (Norbertines). We trust the Holy Spirit to energize us and to give us the wisdom to discern the signs of our times. Such discernment leads us to ministry both in our life together in our abbeys, and in the ministries to which our confreres are sent.
In our present day, a fundamental Norbertine ministry is provided by the presence of St. Norbert Abbey. It is a center of spirituality, both for the Norbertines who live there and for the people who come seeking a time of retreat, rest, and renewal. Many St. Willebrord parishioners have participated in weekend retreats and days of reflection, or, taken advantage of the celebration of daily and Sunday Eucharist at the Abbey. However, St. Norbert Abbey is not a parish and thus demonstrates a different dynamic through its liturgies. The liturgies are first, celebrations for the community of Norbertines who live there, and then are opened to the needs and the talents and contributions of the faithful people who come to participate. The total gathering of the diversity of participants gives credibility to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the world today.
I invite you to continue to pray for the Norbertine Order (Order of Premontre), especially for the men of St. Norbert Abbey, throughout this anniversary year. May the Spirit of God who inspired the Apostles at Pentecost, and Norbert at Premontre in France, inspire us at St. Willebrord Parish to respond to the needs of our time with the power of the Gospel.
Peace, Fr. Andy