June 6 2025 - St. Norbert - Renouncing the world to gain life

“Renouncing your possessions, hating your father and mother, carrying your cross.” The Gospel today speaks of the need to put God first and putting the things of the world, even your ties with family second. To die to self, in order to live for Christ.

The saint we honor today, St. Norbert did just that.

Norbert was born into nobility. He was not the first born son, so, as was common in those days, in the high middle ages, the second son entered the church. Now again, he was of the high nobility, so he was basically guaranteed a high position in the Church. 

As a young cleric he was named personal chaplain to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. Though he was put in charge of dispensing alms to the poor, Norbert began to take on a lot of bad habits of the wealthy elite of the emperor’s court. As he grew in worldliness, his faith began to diminish.

A close brush with death, however, caused Norbert to reexamine his priorities. He decided to give up his position in the imperial court and dedicate his life to the contemplation of Christ.  

He was ordained a priest later that year. He renounced all of his worldly possessions and formed a religious order of like-minded men now known as the Norbertines.

He put wealth and a position of influence and luxury and the expectations of family and worldly comfort behind him, and finally began to live. Norbert and saints like francis and clare and so many others saints remind us of the need to put Christ first. 

We might not be called like Norbert, Francis, and Clare to take religious vows of poverty, but every Christian is to live in the world without allowing wealth and possessions to distract us from our Christian mission. Once in a while, when given an opportunity for luxury, we should turn it down. We must keep that tendency of ours of running away from difficulty and suffering in check, lest we miss an opportunity to bring about some good for the sake of the kingdom.

Even as a cleric, Norbert’s faith began to diminish, because he allowed the world to fill his heart. And in God’s mysterious way, a brush with death, he woke up, thanks be to God, and sought renewal of purpose. 

May each of us constantly seek that renewal of intention and purpose in service of the Lord, in which is found fulfilment, joy, and eternal life for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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Inspired by the saints  who renounced the world to follow Christ with greater fervor, let us offer our prayers with hearts open to the will of God.

For the Church, that she may remain faithful to her mission of proclaiming the Gospel with courage, even when it requires sacrifice and detachment.

For bishops, priests, and all in consecrated life, that like St. Norbert, they may be renewed in zeal and holiness, placing Christ above all worldly gain

For those who have grown lukewarm in faith, that through moments of grace or trial, they may rediscover their purpose in Christ and return to Him with a renewed heart.

For young people discerning their vocation, that they may be open to the call of Christ, willing to renounce worldly ambition for the sake of the Kingdom.

For the success of our parish retreat tomorrow, that it may new our parish in putting our gifts in service of the Church’s mission.

That the sick, suffering, poor and afflicted may know that constant help of God’s grace.

For the faithful departed, especially those who sought the Lord with sincerity and humility, that they may now rejoice in His eternal presence, we pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, you raised up St. Norbert to be a witness to the power of conversion and the joy of discipleship. Through his intercession, may we too be strengthened to carry our cross and follow Christ more faithfully, for the glory of your Name. Through Christ our Lord.