Left to right: Fr. Jeremy Tobin, O. Praem., Fr. Norbert N’Zilamba, O. Praem., Abbot Emeritus E. Thomas De Wane, O. Praem., Fr. Sebastian Schalk, O. Praem.
By Fr. Norbert N’Zilamba, O. Praem.
Fr. Norbert N’Zilamba, O. Praem.
St. Norbert Abbey is the very first abbey I visited in my life. I immediately felt at home. The fact that people from different backgrounds and walks of life live together because of their faith under the rule of St. Augustine is very appealing to me.
My Norbertine journey is one of the greatest blessings in my life because of the Eucharist, the brotherhood, and the apostolic mandate of our spirituality.
Our Norbertine canonries are mandated to pray together and also minister to God’s people in various ways under the leadership of an abbot. St. Norbert Abbey is a good example of that spirituality.
Since I grew up in Florida, I am one of a few Norbertines who was first drawn to the community because of published vocation material. Most of our men have come to the community through the example of Norbertines they have met or who have taught them. While at Florida State University one of the religious sisters from my high school sent me a brochure from St. Norbert Abbey. I immediately was drawn to the sense of humor evident within the Norbertine vocation materials.
Today I look back with great joy as I think of all the laughter I have shared and continue to share with my Norbertine confreres. The greatest blessings I have received as a Norbertine are:
When I briefly visited the community before I even applied, I was most impressed with the fraters (seminarians) and knew I wanted to join them. Since then I have made many deep and lasting friendships, and also admire and enjoy the variety of men who comprise our community.
The wonderful opportunities for study at many fine institutions and the variety of ministries in which I have been engaged—far beyond what I might have imagined as a high school or college student.
While I was living in Philadelphia, I received a postcard inviting me to audition for the band at Southeast Catholic High School (a Norbertine school). Prior to my audition I was introduced to a tall man in a white habit wearing a biretta and descending the stairs. It was Fr. Harry Koeppen, O. Praem., director of the high school music department with whom I felt an immediate bond. From that moment, I knew that I was going to be a priest forever; meeting this remarkable man was a sign. There were many Norbertines teaching in my high school at that time and I knew I wanted to be just like them—a teacher and a priest. And I am.
For most of my Norbertine life I was able to make music for our liturgies. When people told me that my music deepened their prayer life, it opened up a whole new apostolate for me. My musical prayer life began as a second-year novice in 1951 until I retired in 2000.
Incidentally, my teaching career began in St. Norbert High School in 1955 and concluded in 1995 at St. Norbert College. I am forever grateful for those years.
3000 Pipes(page 8) The Story of St. Norbert Abbey’s Casavant Organ: An Interview with Fr. Batholomew Agar, O. Praem.
By Gina Sanders Larsen
Fall/Winter 2015 Abbey Magazine
In my discernment to enter a religious community, I remember knowing that this was the right community for me when I saw three Norbertine priests concelebrating Mass together. They concelebrated throughout the liturgy with such reverence, and they interacted in a way that showed a deep love and respect for one another as well. This combination of reverence, love, and respect resonated with me deeply! Their example of living out their vocation through the liturgy, in community, and in their ministry inspired me to join the Norbertines.
Being a Norbertine has transformed my heart, helping me realize the deep need that is right here in our communities.
—Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
Frater Johnathan Turba, O. Praem.
I’ve had the opportunity to learn and serve with my Norbertine brothers at many of our apostolates, some of which are schools and parishes throughout the greater Green Bay area. The people of God in this area are diverse. Being a Norbertine has transformed my heart, helping me realize the deep need that is right here in our communities. Each day of ministry and studies as a Norbertine is a blessing. It’s a call to daily conversion as I encounter Christ in my neighbor, in and with my Norbertine brothers.
As a middle school student I began thinking of the priesthood. My parents hosted our parish priests (Franciscans) regularly and I joined my dad in the church basement to count Sunday collections. I also was an altar server.
Our community can bless us by helping us grow as Norbertines in ways we cannot see alone.
—Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem.
Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem., and Norbertine confreres
My first sighting of a Norbertine was at a parish Forty Hours devotion when a priest in white habit joined the Franciscans in procession. I did not know who this priest was nor did I yet understand the differences between religious and diocesan priests. At the same time, I had an interest in becoming a teacher and eventually learned that the Norbertine Order included priests who were teachers. I asked my parents to attend Prémontré High School where a number of Norbertines served. I sensed they were happy, and during my junior year I approached my Norbertine religion teacher to speak about the priesthood. His guidance and confidentiality helped me gradually focus on a vocation with the Norbertines. This also was a time when my appreciation for community life began to grow. I was accepted to join St. Norbert Abbey following high school.
As a young Norbertine I was encouraged to plan my future. I prepared to be a secondary school math teacher and was very happy with this choice. After a few years, Norbertines asked me to pursue school administration even though I never saw myself in this role. What I experienced was a great blessing—the fact that the community called out of me something I never saw in myself.
My recent election as abbot is another such call. Our community can bless us by helping us grow as Norbertines in ways we cannot see alone.
Br. Jacob Sircy, O. Praem., walking in a Chicago South Side neighborhood.
By Br. Jacob Sircy, O. Praem.
During my discernment, I found myself being drawn to the Norbertines first and foremost because of community life.
I became fully aware about what community support meant upon the death of my brother in 2015. My hometown is close to three hours away and I will never forget the sight, upon looking out on the congregation, of almost 15 Norbertines, in full habit, sitting in the pews.
The presence of Norbertines at two very difficult times of my life showed me the blessing of community life …
—Br. Jacob Sircy, O. Praem.
A few years earlier, my stepfather passed away, and many Norbertines also attended the funeral. The presence of Norbertines at two very difficult times of my life showed me the blessing of community life, for which I am most grateful.
Having grown up in northeastern Wisconsin in the 1970s, I was aware of a religious order of priests and brothers that served our region as high school and college teachers (and as a member of Congress). Church ministry was a dream of mine since early childhood; being able to serve in this context with other like-minded men in these kinds of ministries in northeast Wisconsin seemed like a perfect fit.
Furthermore, I was attracted to religious life because I believed I could lead a more sustainable life style while sharing resources with other men, as opposed to the rampant individualism which I saw in our society.
Church ministry was a dream of mine since early childhood …
—Br. Steve Herro, O. Praem.
Br. Steve Herro, O. Praem. (left)
In 2015, I was living apart from the Norbertine community in Washington, D.C., while serving the national Church through Catholic Charities USA. I was 900 miles away when my father’s health began to severely deteriorate. My attempt to balance ministry, Norbertine life, and family concerns seemed nearly impossible.
During this time, Norbertine art professor, Fr. James Neilson, O. Praem., just happened to be leading a St. Norbert College tour of Washington, D.C., art museums. As a Norbertine confrere, his totally unexpected visit and thoughtful concern for me and my family that April evening was one of the most grace-filled experiences I have ever had as a Norbertine.
When I think about what attracted me to Norbertine life, three thoughts come to mind:
I attended a Norbertine high school where almost all of my teachers were Norbertines. They were very dedicated men who cared about the students and they seemed happy. I was thinking about becoming a teacher at that time and now realize what wonderful role models they were.
My uncle was in the Norbertine Order—a very fine man, who also played a role in my decision.
My faith-filled parents also were instrumental in my decision. They were wonderful people who believed a priest in the family was a blessing from God.
It is such a joy working with people from another culture …
—Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem.
Fr. Ken De Groot, O. Praem. (center)
My greatest blessing as a priest has been the opportunity to serve. I served 20 years as a teacher at Abbot Pennings High School, 35 years as pastor of a parish, and 30 years ministering to the Hispanic community.
This ministry in particular has invigorated my desire to continue to serve, even though I am in my 80s. It is such a joy working with people from another culture who are poor, who have suffered—and continue to suffer—yet are very resilient, facing adversity with a profound faith.
I never met a Norbertine until I attended St. Norbert College (SNC). Growing up in the Diocese of Superior I only was familiar with diocesan priests who serve in parishes. While living on the SNC campus, I always was impressed and amazed by the fraternity I witnessed among Norbertines, expressed in their ministry as teachers, pastors, and administrators, as well as their commitment to community life.
Docere verbo et exemplo (teaching by word and example).
Relationship is what attracted me to Norbertine life. On campus I saw how the Norbertines loved one another. They truly acted like brothers toward one another, and like any good brotherhood, there were serious moments of prayer and conversation, and there were humorous moments in which jokes and laughter were shared.
Witnessing this brotherhood is what drew me to Norbertine life.
Frater Jordan Neeck, O. Praem.
After I joined the community, I realized that sometimes our worst moments can be our greatest blessings. I recall having a fight with a brother, holding resentment toward him. After a few days passed, my brother called me out, stating, “I recognize there has been a distance between us. I’m sorry for anything I have done to offend you, but our friendship and our fraternity is too important to allow anything to come between us.” Simple words, yet profound.
These words, shared by my brother, taught me a great lesson, expressed in our ideal docere verbo et exemplo (teaching by word and example). This lesson remains with me to this day and I recall whenever I am frustrated with another, that relationships are more important than any one situation or conversation.
Norbertine life is about teaching and learning. It helps us in our journey towards holiness.
When I first started thinking about priesthood as a young man, I contacted the Norbertines, because their way of life, balancing action and contemplation—all while serving the local community, attracted me.
However, I eventually joined the seminary for the Archdiocese of Utrecht, Netherlands, my home country. Looking back, I think this was primarily a school choice, not looking beyond my education. While I am glad of the seminary I chose, after I earned my degree and was ordained and assigned, I started to miss the community life that I had in the seminary. To me the life as a diocesan priest was somewhat lonely and I started thinking about Norbertine life again. After a time of discernment, I left the diocese in 2017 and became a member of St. Norbert Abbey.
Community is what I was looking for and community is what I found.
—Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem.
Fr. Peter Ambting, O. Praem. (right), Fr. James Baraniak, O. Praem. (center), Fr. Michael Brennan, O. Praem. (left)
I also appreciate the fact that within Norbertine life there is a variety of ministerial possibilities; while for a diocesan priest, parish life is the only ministry one can experience.
For me the main reason to join St. Norbert Abbey was community. Community is what I was looking for and community is what I found. During the abbey’s daytime schedule, there are several built-in community moments: Morning, Noon, and Evening Prayer, and also meals and recreation. I really appreciate these moments.
I was emotionally moved a couple of years ago when I was visiting the Abbey. It was during Vespers that the elderly and ill Norbertines received the anointing of the sick. An older Norbertine became emotional after community members laid their hands on his head as part of the ritual. Another Norbertine noticed the tears in his eyes, came out of his choir stall, laid a hand on his shoulders, and consoled him. To me, this is community: to be there for one another, in particular when you need one another.
