Loosely said, he was a spoiled brat, only looking out for himself, but did a 180 after he was literally shaken to the point of near death and changed from self-centered to completely empathetic.
Saint Norbert of Xanten was born sometime between 1075 and 1080 to Count Heribert and Hedwig in Gennep, Netherlands.
He became a priest and founded what as become known as the Norbertine order in the 12th century to live out a life of selflessness, sharing, love, and sincere hospitality.
He wasn’t always empathetic. It seemed he was quite spoiled. As the story goes, Norbert paid someone to take his place in a choir that had to chant the Divine Office in a German border parish, because he had an opportunity to take a more praiseworthy position as religious counselor for Cologne Emperor Henry V.
He changed when he was nearly killed by a lightning strike. As he was secluded in the Abbey of Siegburg he did a little self-evaluation. Three years later he was ordained a priest and committed to Jesus’s way of life and the Gospel. He preached and evangelized in Germany, Belgium, and France.
He tried to emulate the lifestyle of the Apostles, having members of his order live together in community to strengthen their resolve and model divine love and sharing.
