Norbert was born in 1080 in Xanten Germany. He lived a worldly life at court until the age of thirty-five, when he experienced a conversion of heart following an accident. He was ordained a priest in 1115. Undertaking the apostolic life, he accepted the duty of preaching, particularly throughout France and Germany. Gathering together some companions, he laid the foundation of the Canons Regular of Premontre (Norbertines). In 1126 he was appointed archbishop of Magdeburg and, despite meeting much opposition, reformed the clergy, defended orthodoxy and promoted the unity and liberty of the Church. He died in 1134. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2739; Christian Prayer 1990, p 1143