A History of Prayer and Service

The Norbertines have been ministering in the Diocese of Green Bay for over 125 years.

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.