A History of Prayer and Service
The Norbertines have been ministering in the Diocese of Green Bay for over 125 years.
The Norbertine Mission
We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditions of Saints Norbert and Augustine. We live a common life “one in mind and heart on the way to God” through celebration of the Eucharist, liturgical prayer and service to the People of God.
About Our Abbey
900 Years of Tradition
Founded by St. Norbert in 1121 AD, the Norbertines are one of the oldest religious orders in the world and serve the faithful on nearly every continent.
Norbertine Key Beliefs
The Hallmarks of Norbertine Life
The Norbertine Order is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Rule of St. Augustine, which calls Norbertines to be of “one heart and one mind on the way to God.” Norbertine community life is characterized by the power of the Holy Spirit and a desire to be of service to God’s People. Neither monks nor diocesan priests, Norbertines collaborate in common ministry to the local Church while living in community.
Five key beliefs underlie the Norbertine experience of community. These principles are fundamental to the Norbertine experience and to the continuing development of community within all Norbertine houses and apostolates.
EUCHARISTIC COMMUNIO
The Eucharist is the source of life and harmony in our community. In coming together around the altar, we bear witness to God’s Trinitarian life of love, impart that love to each other, and offer it to the wider community. This love provides us the strength to recommit ourselves daily to our vows, our life in community, and our apostolates.
WE WORK FOR PEACE
Keeping peace with our brothers and sisters requires daily work and crucifixion. In all of our daily actions, we strive to bear witness to Christ’s mercy. Reconciliation between brothers is our greatest joy, and no sacrifice is too great to make for our peace.
UNGUARDED HEARTS
We believe that the truth of our gifts and our weaknesses are revealed by community life. When we have conflict, we do not hide our thoughts or feelings from each other in an effort to avoid strife. Instead, we stay in communion, and we mutually seek the opportunity to grow. We rejoice in the goodness in each other, and we testify to the abundance of God’s blessings.
DAILY CONVERSION
As contemplatives in action, Norbertines are both in community and in service to the Church outside the abbey. The more our lives are conformed to the cross of peace, the more our gifts become apparent and enlivened. We aren’t afraid to call each other into responsibility, and we aspire to give others a place in the legacy of our order.
OPEN DOORS
We welcome the seeking and the vulnerable to share in the riches of communio, especially through hospitality at the Abbey and by inviting others to participate in our life of prayer. Our work of the Office and of the Mass is an apostolate of love where the faithful can experience belonging in God’s family and taste the sweetness of Christ’s life.
Discover Your Calling
If you feel drawn to the Norbertine way of life, explore the vocation of our order and community.