St. Norbert Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Norbert was a bishop in Germany. He lived in the 1000s-1100s. He was the founder of a religious order that came to be known as the Norbertines.
Though St. Norbert lived in a worldly manner as a young man, he became very holy. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy bishop in your life!
About St. Norbert
St. Norbert was born around the year 1080 in Xanten, Germany. His father was a member of the nobility of the Holy Roman Empire.
Norbert lived a worldly lifestyle during his youth. When he was an adult, his family’s influence helped him obtain a payment to become a subdeacon. Though his one main job in this role was to chant the Divine Office, he apparently paid someone else to do it so that he could become a chaplain to Henry V and be paid an additional salary.
With his two salaries, Norbert lived like the nobility did. He purposefully avoided being ordained a priest and gave up the opportunity to become a bishop because he wanted to avoid the religious responsibilities of those roles.
One day when Norbert was riding, he became stuck in a sudden thunderstorm. As lightning frightened his horse, he fell to the ground and was knocked unconscious. He lay on the ground, soaked in rain.
When he regained consciousness, his first words were, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” In his heart, he heard the answer, “Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.”
After this, Norbert left his life at court and returned to Xanten. There, he devoted his life to prayer and penance. He also chose to study for the priesthood. In 1115, he was ordained a priest.
Norbert’s conversion of heart caused many to accuse him of hypocrisy. Norbert did not defend himself but instead gave away his possessions. He also asked the Pope for permission to preach. When he was granted this permission, he began to travel throughout Europe as a preacher.
Norbert brought two companions with him on his travels. But as he practiced penance by walking barefoot through the snow and ice in winter, his two companions eventually died from exposure.
Norbert gradually began to earn the respect of his fellow clergy. The bishop of Laon asked Norbert to help reform the canons in his diocese, but the canons thought Norbert’s ideas of reform were too strict. The bishop then offered Norbert land where he could establish his own religious community.
Norbert’s community began with thirteen canons, but he soon attracted many more followers. He eventually established eight abbeys and two convents.
Soon, a count asked to join Norbert’s abbey, but Norbert saw that this count was called to marriage and lay life. Rather than reject the count, Norbert gave him devotions, a rule, and a scapular to wear so that the count could be identified as part of the community.
Norbert was eventually made bishop of Magdebourg. He continued his work of reform in his diocese.
After the death of Pope Honorius II, two rivals were both claiming to be Pope. Norbert did all he could to help heal the Church and eventually helped ensure that the man elected first was recognized as the true Pope.
Norbert was made an archbishop near the end of his life. He died in 1134 when he was fifty-three years old.
St. Norbert’s Feast Day: June 6th
Why Pray the St. Norbert Novena?
St. Norbert is the patron saint of the modern-day Czech Republic (formerly the Kingdom of Bohemia). You can ask him to pray for you if you live in the Czech Republic, are from the Czech Republic, or are planning to travel to the Czech Republic. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know in the Czech Republic, or you can ask him to pray for the government of the Czech Republic.
St. Norbert is also the patron saint of safe childbirth. You can ask him to pray for you if you are preparing to give birth, or you can ask him to pray for someone you know who is preparing to give birth.
You can pray the St. Norbert Novena for any intention!
St. Norbert Novena Prayers
St. Norbert Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed when he amended his life and began to seek holiness.
St. Norbert, you lived a worldly life during your youth and as a young man. But when you regained consciousness after a riding accident, you suddenly saw the need to amend your life and serve God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
You chose to devote your life to prayer and penance, and you studied for the priesthood. You spent the rest of your life doing all you could to serve God worthily.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to overcome my faults and to serve God more worthily. Pray that I may never allow myself to become complacent in my spiritual life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in choosing to serve you as a priest.
St. Norbert, you sought ease and comfort as a young man. You actively sought to avoid becoming a priest, until you converted to a deeper love of God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom loved!
After your conversion, you chose to devote your life to God. You became a priest, lived a life of prayer and penance, and traveled around preaching. You did all you could to serve God faithfully.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God to the best of my ability. Pray that I may be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in opening himself up to Your will for his life.
St. Norbert, you actively avoided becoming a priest as a young man because you wanted a life of ease and comfort. But after your conversion, you opened yourself up to God’s will for your life.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You studied for the priesthood and were ordained to the priesthood. You traveled as a preacher and even became a bishop, out of love for God.
Pray for me, that I may always be ready and willing to serve God in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may grow in openness to God’s will for my life.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in giving away his possessions and living a life of poverty.
St. Norbert, you saw the error of your worldly ways when you awoke from your riding accident as a young man. From then on, you chose to seek heavenly reward over earthly goods, out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you chose to serve!
You began to live a life of prayer and penance. When others accused you of hypocrisy, you did not defend yourself. Instead, you gave away your possessions and looked for more ways to serve God wholeheartedly.
Pray for me, that I may grow in holy detachment from worldly riches. Pray that I may always seek heavenly reward above earthly goods.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in dedicating himself to Your service as a priest.
St. Norbert, you were reluctant to take on the responsibilities of the priesthood early on in your life. But after you converted to a deeper love for God, you chose to serve Him as a priest.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You devoted yourself to prayer, penance, and preaching. You worked to help bring about reform among the clergy, and you did all you could to serve God throughout the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may be as devoted a servant of God as you were. Pray that I may never weary of seeking to serve God and His Church.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his tireless work as a preacher.
St. Norbert, you began to live a life of prayer and penance after you converted from your former worldly lifestyle. You were eager to do all you could to serve God and His Church.
Please do all you can to bring my petitions before God!
You sought permission to become a traveling preacher. Then, you traveled throughout Europe preaching the Gospel and working to bring others to a deeper relationship with God.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to help bring my brothers and sisters closer to God. Pray that I may never hesitate to preach the Good News at every opportunity.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in working for Church reform despite the opposition of others.
St. Norbert, you chose to live a life of prayer and penance after your conversion. You became a priest and a preacher, and you were eager to work for greater holiness in the Church.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so eagerly!
A bishop asked for your help in reforming the canons of his diocese, but you faced a lot of opposition in this task. Despite this opposition, you persevered in doing what you could to bring greater holiness and fervor to the Church.
Pray for me, that I may always seek to lead those around me to deeper holiness. Pray that I may be eager to serve God in every way that I can.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in his service to You as a bishop.
St. Norbert, you gave up the opportunity to become a bishop early on in your life because you wished to avoid responsibility. But after your conversion, you threw yourself wholeheartedly into serving God and His Church.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so wholeheartedly!
Years later when you were living a life of holiness, you were made bishop of Magdebourg. You continued your holy practices and sought to bring reform to your diocese.
Pray for me, that I may always serve God in whatever ways He calls me to. Pray that I may be eager to help bring others to deeper holiness.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Norbert Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. Norbert as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in choosing to devote His life to You and Your Church.
St. Norbert, you lived a worldly life as a young man. But when you converted to a deeper holiness and love of God, you chose to serve Him as a priest. You persevered in serving Him faithfully for the rest of your life.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before the throne of God!
You spent the rest of your life preaching and working to reform the Church. You worked as a bishop to bring others to deeper holiness.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to put my gifts to use serving God and His Church. Pray that I be as faithful a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Norbert, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.