SAINT NORBERT (1134 A.D.)

Saint Norbert
Marten Pepijn
1637

SAINT NORBERT 

Bishop and Confessor

DOUBLE / WHITE
Norbert was born in the Rhineland, about 1080, and educated at the imperial court. In 1115 a narrow escape from death turned him wholly to God. He took Holy Orders, gave all his possessions to the poor, and journeyed about the Rhineland as an itinerant preacher. Later, guided by the Holy Spirit, he founded near Soissons the Premonstratensian Order, which soon spread over Western Europe. The canons regular of this institute fostered devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and intensified Christian life among the faithful and the clergy.

Mass of a CONFESSOR BISHOP, except

COLLECT
You made Your blessed confessor Bishop Norbert a great preacher of the Gospel, O God, and through him founded a new religious congregation in Your Church. May his merits and prayers win Your help for us so that we may follow his teaching and example. Through our Lord . . .


Lesson
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Eccli 44:16-27: 45:3-20
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath, the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings; He preserved for him His mercy; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood; and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.

Gradual
Eccli 44:16; 44:20
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God.
V. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.
Ps 109:4
V. You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchisedec. Alleluia.

Continuation ☩ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
R. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 25:14-23
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to His disciples: A man going abroad, called his servants and handed over his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his particular ability, and then he went on his journey. And he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more. In like manner, he who had received the two gained two more. But he who had received the one went away and dug in the earth and hid his master’s money. Then after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others in addition.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had received the two talents came, and said, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; behold, I have gained two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your master.’
 
SECRET
O Lord, may Your Saints everywhere be a source of joy for us, and may we feel the power of their intercession with You as we solemnly recall the deeds of their lives. Through our Lord . . .

POSTCOMMUNION
O Almighty God, may the expression of our gratitude to You for all Your gifts bring us even greater benefits, through the intercession of Your blessed Confessor Bishop Norbert. Through our Lord . . .