Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Mercy

Because 900 year anniversaries do not come around often, I would like to say some more about the Norbertine Order.

After Norbert and his early companions established the first community of canons regular (priests who follow a rule of life) at Premontre, France, Norbert continued his preaching. He travelled around current-day Europe inviting clergy to reform their lives. He wanted them to live together, to pray and celebrate Eucharist together, to live simply, and to hold all their possessions in common. He helped establish numerous communities of Norbertines. Essentially, Norbert was calling for clergy to live an “apostolic life.” He used the Rule of St. Augustine (RSA) as the guide by which Norbertine communities lived. At the heart of the RSA are texts from the Acts of the Apostles which describe the life of the early church:

“The community of believers was of one heart and mind, (my bold) and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them all. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to each according to need,” (Acts 4:32-35).

That text, along with the following created the foundation upon which St. Augustine formulated the majority of his rule. Acts 2:42-44

“They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.”

In our current age, in the midst of local, county, state, national and international divisions and conflicts, followers of Sts. Norbert and Augustine offer a reminder of the essentials of Christian life. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and mercy are important to Norbertine life as we live the Gospel, and we desire to give example to others about the need for the holiness which Jesus preached. This holiness is best demonstrated by serving our sisters and brothers with love.

Peace, Fr. Andy