<p>Norbert was born near Xanten (Germany) in 1080. As a young man in minor orders, he lived a life devoted to pleasure until a narrow escape from death in 1115 inspired him to reform his life and become a monk. Irked by his extreme asceticism and his attempts to reform them, his fellow monks denounced him. Resigning his position, Norbert gave away all his worldly goods and went to Rome where Pope Gelasius II granted him permission to preach the gospel wherever he wished.</p>
<p>Norbert became an itinerant preacher in the north of France and attracted many followers. The Bishop of Laon gave him land at Prémontré where he founded a community dedicated to strict and uncompromising asceticism (later known as the Premonstratensians or Norbertines). He became Bishop of Magdeburg in 1126 and survived several assassination attempts brought on by his rigorous reforms, particularly in the defence of the rights of the Church against secular powers.</p>
<p>Norbert died on June 6, 1134, worn out from a life of austerity and dedicated service as a monk, a politician and an archbishop.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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