Canons On The Run

Vocational seeds are often planted in the most unexpected or unusual ways. Join our two co-hosts as they reminisce about their journey toward priesthood and how God and the Norbertine community drew them in.

When joining a religious community, one enters into a period of formation. While formation is a life-long endeavor for all of us, within the Norbertine community it involves a formal two-year period, known as “novitiate,” enabling men to discern their calling and vocation and to “grow harmoniously into a mature human and Christian person.”  What exactly are these years like? How do men grow in faith and in community during this critical time?

In a culture that values “doing” more than “being,” resting can be viewed as lazy and unproductive. Scripturally, we are called to rest, to take time for ourselves, our families and friends, and especially God. Like many religious orders, including Norbertines, all of us are called to live a life in balance—a life of contemplation and action. But how do we do this? What changes do we need to make in our lives? 

If a man walked into a room wearing all white from head to toe, he would get noticed. At first glance it could be the Pope, or a ghost, or it could be a Norbertine in his white habit—an almost 900-year tradition and a symbol of the life he has chosen.  Compellingly and with a bit of humor, our co-hosts discuss their habit, the conversations that have occurred because of it, and their continual witness to God’s call. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2018)

For religious communities following the Rule of St. Augustine, it is clearly stated that members should be “of one heart and one mind on the way to God.” While these words are lovely, in actuality, community life can pose challenges, especially when it is often our nature to think of what is best for ourselves. How do we truly celebrate each other’s gifts while also recognizing we too have something to offer? 

Christmas is a time filled with heartwarming traditions—within families and within the rituals of the Church. But what are traditions really about and how do we remain open to their transformative power and meaning in our daily lives? 

Quite a statement—all is gift. It’s rather easy to understand when life is rolling along and everything is going our way. But what about the times life is challenging—filled with disappointment, discomfort, and difficult choices? How are these gifts and where is God and God’s Grace in all of this? 

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. This time of year, everything in our culture screams Christmas. But what about Advent—a time of prayer and preparation?  After all, the season of Christmas actually begins on Christmas day, but these wonderful weeks beforehand are meant for us to prepare, intentionally, for the celebration of the Mystery of God Incarnate.  As we look at our lives, how are we preparing for the coming of our Lord? What does prayer and contemplation look like for us during these extraordinarily busy days? Take a few minutes to reflect on the importance of intentional prayer and silence during this sacred season. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2017)

"To share a meal, and not just food, but also affection, stories, events, is a fundamental experience.” — Pope Francis

In our fast-paced culture, it is too easy to grab a meal on the go and rationalize why it’s okay not to spend “all that time” preparing a sit-down meal. For the sake of efficiency however, what are we really sacrificing? True joy can be found at a shared meal. Sharing a meal is transformative. Taking the time to make and share a meal creates an opportunity for us all to encounter Christ in ourselves, and especially in one another - whether that shared meal is in our home or in the Eucharist every Sunday. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org. (this episode originally published in 2017)

“Holiness does not consist in not making mistakes or never sinning. Holiness grows with the capacity for conversion, repentance, willingness to begin again, and above all with the capacity for reconciliation and forgiveness.” —Pope Benedict XVI  
It is easy to set goals for running, studying, or eating well, but what about goal-setting when it comes to other aspects of our lives? How do we measure holiness? How do we know we are actually growing in our faith? What does saintliness even look like? Perfection? Or simply the willingness to begin again? Enter the Communion of Saints—our guides, our exemplars of faith, our teachers. For more information about St. Norbert Abbey, please visit norbertines.org (episode originally published in 2017)