About the Norbertines, St. Moses the Black Priory in Raymond, Mississippi

On Christmas Day, 1121, after spending a year in prayer and meditation, Norbert and his followers made their first profession of vows, thus founding the Canons Regular of Premontre, also known as the Premonstratensians or Norbertines. The men and women vowed to seek Christ by living in common, sharing all things in holy poverty, and dedicating themselves to ministering to God’s People. Norbert held up the example of the first Christians gathered around Mary, whose community life, as described in Acts 2: 42-47, was marked by the power of the Spirit, the sharing of all things and the desire to serve others. Norbert’s dream continues to find expression almost 900 years later in the lives and ministries of his followers throughout the world, imitating the Jerusalem Christian community in a life "ever ancient, ever new."

St. Norbert is also known as the Apostle of the Blessed Sacrament as well as the Apostle of Peace.

Origins of St. Norbert Abbey

Bernard H. Pennings, Members of the Norbertine Order 1893, St. Moses the Black Priory in Raymond, Mississippi
Father Bernard H. Pennings

In 1893 Father Bernard H. Pennings along with two other members of the Norbertine Order arrived in the United States from Berne Abbey in Holland. They came at the request of Green Bay Bishop Messmer to assist with the spiritual needs of the Belgian settlers in Wisconsin’s Door County Penninsula. Under Pennings' leadership and guidance the priory of St. Norbert was founded at De Pere in 1898, an Abbey was created in 1924, and in 1925 Pennings was appointed Abbot. He was also instrumental in founding St. Norbert College, serving both as abbot and as president of the college until shortly before his death. Construction of the current Abbey began in 1957 and was completed in 1959.

Norbertines are canons whose tradition attempts to balance contemplation and action.
While involved in a variety of ministries, Norbertines share common table, common prayer, common Eucharist. Their various ministries include: education, international missions, social work, art, pastoral ministry, medicine, hospital and military chaplaincies, administration, lecturing, preaching and writing.

Today, there are approximately 1500 Norbertines world-wide and 85 priests and brothers attached to St. Norbert Abbey. Norbertines attached to St. Norbert Abbey reside at St. Norbert Abbey in De Pere, WI, St. Joseph Priory, De Pere, WI, Holy Spirit House of Studies in Chicago, St. Moses the Black Priory in Raymond, MS, Santa Maria de la Vid Priory in Albuquerque, NM, and Santa Clotilde, a medical mission in the jungle of Northern Peru.

St. Norbert Abbey Mission Statement: “We give ourselves in service to one another and to people in need, with special emphasis on service and advocacy for the poor.”

History of the Norbertine Order

Origins of St. Norbert Abbey