Who is called to become a Norbertine? The Norbertines, also known as the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, are a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Norbert of Xanten in the early 12th century. The Norbertines are a monastic order of canons regular, which means they live in community as monks but also serve as priests in local parishes.
The Norbertine Order places a strong emphasis on community life, liturgy, and the active ministry of the Church. They follow the Rule of Saint Augustine, which emphasizes poverty, chastity, and obedience, and they are known for their commitment to the Eucharist and the sacraments.
A vocation is a calling to live as the person God created you to be. Catholic vocations refer to the different paths of life that individuals can choose to follow within the Catholic Church. These paths involve serving God and the Church in various ways and include the priesthood, religious life, and lay ministries. The Norbertines are one of thousands of paths men (and women) can follow.
Priesthood
The priesthood is one of the most well-known vocations within the Catholic Church. Catholic priests are ordained by the Church to serve as spiritual leaders, offering the sacraments, preaching the Gospel, and providing pastoral care to their communities.
The process of becoming a priest begins with discernment, where an individual explores their calling to serve God in this way. If they feel called to priesthood, they enter into a period of formation, which involves several years of academic and spiritual training. After completing their formation, they receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, which marks their entry into the priesthood.
Religious Life
Religious life is another vocation within the Catholic Church that involves living in a community and devoting oneself to prayer, service, and contemplation. Catholic religious men and women, also known as monks, nuns, sisters, or brothers, take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and commit to living a life of simplicity and humility.
Religious life involves a deep commitment to serving God and others, and religious men and women can be involved in a wide range of ministries, including education, healthcare, social work, and pastoral care. Those who feel called to religious life typically begin by joining a religious community, where they live and work alongside others who share their commitment to serving God and the Church.
Lay Ministries
Lay ministries are vocations within the Catholic Church that involve serving God and the Church in various ways outside of the priesthood or religious life. Lay ministries can include teaching, evangelization, social justice work, and pastoral care. Lay ministers are often involved in their local parishes and work alongside priests and religious men and women to serve their communities.
One of the benefits of lay ministries is that they can be pursued alongside other careers or life paths. Lay ministers can be teachers, doctors, lawyers, or any other profession, but they also commit to serving God and the Church through their ministries.
Discernment
Discernment is a critical component of all Catholic vocations. It involves prayerfully reflecting on one’s calling and seeking guidance from God, trusted mentors, and the Church community. Discernment can be a lengthy process, but it is essential to ensure that individuals are entering into the vocation that is right for them.
Become a Norbertine
Today, there are Norbertine communities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Australia. They continue to live out their mission of serving the Church through prayer, community life, and active ministry.
A vocation to the Norbertine order involves feeling called by God to live a life of service to the Church as a member of the Norbertine community. This call can come in many forms, such as a sense of inner peace, a desire to live a life of prayer and service, or a feeling of being drawn to the Norbertine charism and way of life.
To discern a vocation to the Norbertine order, one typically spends time in prayer and reflection, seeking guidance from trusted mentors and spiritual directors, and learning more about the Norbertine way of life. This can involve visiting a Norbertine community, attending retreats or discernment events, and engaging in conversations with Norbertine priests and brothers.
Catholic vocations offer a wide range of paths for individuals to serve God and the Church. Whether it be the priesthood, religious life, or lay ministries, each vocation involves a deep commitment to prayer, service, and the Gospel. The discernment process is crucial in determining which vocation is right for everyone, and the Catholic Church provides guidance and support for those exploring their calling.