St. Norbert Xanten
Norbert was born in Xanten (Germany) of the noble family of Gennep, towards 1080. As was the custom for every second child of the nobility, Norbert will follow the race was for military or ecclesiastical. He chose the latter path, not by vocation, but by simple chance. In fact, being a deacon could enjoy the many privileges to the side of the Great Elector of Cologne and the emperor Henry V, which nominated for an important episcopal see. But God had other plans. During a ride through the forest, a violent hurricane that struck him down from his horse and, like Saul on the road to Damascus, said: "Lord, what can I do?". The response that radically changed his life unedifying was: "Abandon the path of evil and do good." That episode was the beginning of his conversion. Mundane places left and went to school in the Benedictine abbot of Siegburg and the canons of Klosterrath, then followed the example of the hermit Liudolfo spending three years in penance and prayer. I...