In our 875+ year history, we Norbertines have had a consistent charter: to be living examples of the "community of God" spreading the Good News of God's love for humanity. We do this by expressing his love through living a simple, communal life as close to Christian perfection as possible while remaining very involved in the life of the Body of Christ outside our communities.
Norbertine
Lay Associations have existed since the time of Norbert’s foundation of the
order in 1121. In fact, the
Norbertine Third Order (often referred to as Associates, Tertiaries, Lay
Associates, or Secular Tertiaries) are the oldest Third Order foundation in the
Church.
Lay
Associates see their vocation as a calling to spiritual focus and commitment,
just as Priests, Brothers and Sisters see their calling.
They believe that their roles as Associates are part of their journey
toward eternal salvation. As
Associates, they are truly an active and involved part of the Order.
Their Solemn Promises to live according to the Rule of St. Augustine and
the Statutes of the Order make them so. From
first interest in this Association to Solemn Promise generally takes from two to
five years. These years are filled
with study about, learning of and increased commitment to the Norbertine Order.
During this “road to Association” there are incremental ceremonial
advancements, leading to a lifetime commitment to the Community.
Only serious circumstances will dispense or expel a member after
perpetual (life) profession.
The
heart, or one’s desire, certainly plays its own part in the reality of being a
Norbertine Associate and many candidates experience a sense of belonging as soon
as they have been accepted. Intent alone though is not sufficient.
It is necessary for intent with action and discernment.
In one sense, becoming a Norbertine Associate will take a lifetime. It is
a way of life that deepens and grows as long as you live. You do not initiate
your own vocation. You are called to a vocation, and so if you are considering
Norbertine life, you need to be drawn to prayer, study, and evangelization. How
much time and effort you spend on these pursuits as an Associate will depend on
how God chooses to use you and your talents.
One becomes a Norbertine Associate as a member of a Community attached to a Norbertine Religious House. It will be necessary to attend regular Associate meetings and liturgies in order to remain spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically connected to the Community.
All Norbertine Associates are quite different in many respects, due to the different cultures, societies, languages and abbeys to which they are attached. There are really no two groups alike. This is why we cannot give you a single, simple description of how new Norbertine Associates are received, and formed. Each lay person associated with the Norbertines appreciates these differences, but each also realizes that all the groups have a common Norbertine thread.
The primary purpose of being a member of such a Norbertine Community is to increase one’s holiness and assist in their salvation. Of course, this primary goal benefits all with whom the person comes in contact. An important secondary goal is to permit the Associate to participate fully and actively in the life of the Community, thereby enriching it. Associates help out Norbertine Communities in a variety of ways:
Being a living example of the "Good Christian Life",
By prayer of the Divine Office at the Abbey or House,
Personal family prayer on a daily/frequent basis,
More active involvement in Parish and Diocesan activities,
Group and individual activities on behalf of their own (or another) Norbertine house,
Involvement with or membership in Catholic/Church-wide organisations (Catenians Association, Knights of St. Columba, Knights of Columbus, etc.),
Promoting Christian unity of purpose through example and involvement,
Being involved in outreach to those less fortunate
The vocation of
Norbertine Associate is open to both men and women, single and married.
This Association fits in well with, and benefits married life. The
vocation acts as a living channel of fulfilling Christ’s command to ‘love
one another as I have loved you’. It
accomplishes this by focusing the Associate’s love through the Community, and
has often brought husband, wife and children closer together in their family
situations.
This often happens through personal example, and emulation.
Families who pray together, work together, play together and share together are much
more likely to remain together and spiritually flourish together.
The Norbertine Associate movement is a very powerful way of doing good
things together as a family.
The end result of this active involvement in an enhanced spiritual way of life is that individual and family priorities change – for the better. Individuals start realizing that they can make a difference, in themselves, in their families, in their local Norbertine Communities, and in the world at large.
Click here to read about some Norbertine Associates:
Remember, whether you choose to fulfill your vocation as an Associate in our religious Order or not, in pursuing a vocational quest, you are seeking to make use of a treasured gift, a life in the service of Christ through service to 'his lambs'. We honor you for this quest and hope that you will consider the Norbertines.
If you feel that you have a vocation to be a Norbertine Associate, the first step is to write a traditional, paper-based letter to the Vocation Director at the Norbertine community closest to you. We also have an online map showing these locations. Once you have established communication with your Vocation Director, you will receive literature to review. But more importantly, you should receive an invitation to actually visit the house and participate in our community as an honored guest.
Brochures, conversations and descriptions can do a lot to help explain what our Order is like. But there is nothing that comes close to an actual visit - whether it be for a day, a weekend, or a week. It is during these visits that you will experience what words cannot describe - the actual lifestyle of the community. When you do, you will see and feel for yourself the joy and fulfillment which comes from a community "Of One Heart and One Mind".
Thank You and May God Bless You!