by J.C. Kirkfleet, O. Praem.; 1916, B. Herder, London

TIME PERIOD A

From the Birth of Norbert 

until the Foundation of his Order

1080-1120

CHAPTER A-1: Birth and Education of Norbert

• Is ordained Sub-Deacon

• His worldly life at the Court of' the Archbishop

• At the Court of' Henry

• His Journey to Rome as almoner to the Emperor

• His conduct towards Pope Paschal II

• His return to the Court of' the Archbishop.( 1080-1115)

CHAPTER A-2: Norbert's miraculous Conversion on the road to Freden

• His Retreat in the Benedictine Abbey of' Siburg

• His temptations and trials

• His Ordination to the Priesthood at Cologne

• His acquaintance with Abbot Rupert

• His ardent desire ror "Reform." (1116) 

CHAPTER A-3: Norbert the Penitent

• He is insulted and persecuted

• Decried as a Fanatic

• His meekness and humility

• His faith shown at the Grotto

• His meeting with Ludolph, the Hermit

• His appearance before the Council of' Fritzlar

• He gives all he has to the poor—"Ad omne opus bonum paratus'

• Says farewell to his people. (1116-1118)

CHAPTER A-4: Norbert begins his missionary career

CHAPTER A-5: Norbert resumes his missionary labors

• His love for Poverty

• His wonderful success in reconciling enemies

• Instructing his disciple

• Norbert at Fosse

• Death of Pope Gelasius

• Norbert's enemies

• Bartholomew, Bishop of Laon

• Norbert appears at the Council of Rheims (1119)

CHAPTER A-6: Bartholomew retains Norbert in his diocese

• Norbert fails in reforming the canons of St. Martin's Abbey

• His first visit to Premontre

• Apparition of the Blessed Virgin

• Meaning of' the name "Premontre"

• Property given to Norbert by the Bishop. (1119-1120)

TIME PERIOD B

From the Time the Order is Founded until 

Norbert becomes Archbishop of Magdeburg

1120-1126

CHAPTER B-1: Norbert goes out in search of followers

• First trial at Premontre

• A Robbery

• Meeting of' Evermode

• Reception of Habit

• Deed of the property at Premontre

• Building of' huts

• Uncertainty as to Rule

• Synod of Soissons

• Norbert opposes Abelard

• His power over the hearts of' sinners. (1120-1121)

CHAPTER B-2: Second Order of St. Norbert

• Ricvere first nun

• The evil spirit at work in Premontre

• Some religious return to the world

• Accusations against the Saint

• Norbert at Nivelles

• Norbert at Cologne

• He discovers numerous relics

• Foundation of second house

• Floreffe. (1121)

CHAPTER B-3: Norbert returns to Premontre with thirty disciples

• New huts are built

• Apparition of St. Augustine

• His Rule

• First solemn Profession on Christmas night, 1121

• Object and character of the Premonstratensian Order

• Devotion to the Blessed Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin

• The serving of parishes

• Teaching

• The white habit

CHAPTER B-4: The Organization of the Young Community

• Norbert's favorite Counsels

• Daily life of the clerics

• Their studies and manual labor

• Penance

• The life of' laybrothers

• The Rule of the nuns

• Blessed Ricvere, the First nun

CHAPTER B-5: Church and Monastery are built at Premontre

• Laying of cornerstone

• Miraculous happenings at Floreffe and Maestricht

• Satan at work among the builders at Premontre

• Solemn dedication of the church

• Sad accident

• Beauty of abbey of Premontre

• Rapid development of the Order. (1122)

CHAPTER B-6: Norbert and Count Godfrey

CHAPTER B-7: St. Norbert and Theobald, Count of Champagne

• Theobald wants to follow the example ot Godfrey

• Is dissuaded by Norbert

• Origin and object ot the Third Order

• Theobald its first member

• Rule to be observed by Tertiaries

• Marvelous growth of Norbert's work

CHAPTER B-8: Tanchelm, the heretic

• His life and teaching

• Canons quit Antwerp

• Bishop Burchard invites Norbert

• Norbert sets out with eleven disciples

• Their triumph over heresy

• Norbert is called the Apostle of Antwerp

• His love tor the Blessed Sacrament

CHAPTER B-9: New Foundations in France and Belgium

• St. Martin's Abbey at Laon

• Foundations in Switzerland and Poland

• The Order is confirmed by the Papal Legates

• Norbert's critics

• Dialogue between a religious of Cluny and a monk of Citeaux

• Some of the Saint's admirers

CHAPTER B-10: St. Bernard and St. Norbert

• Striking similarity of thelr life-story

• Close companions in the work of "Reform"

• Mutual admiration and cooperation

• Their friendship for Count Theobald

• Love of St. Bernard for the Premonstratensian Order

• He recommends the sons of St. Norbert to the Queen of Jerusalem

CHAPTER B-11: Miraculous happenings at Premontre

• Norbert's Journey to Ratisbon

• Count Engelbert

• Spanish Disciples

• Norbert's Order and the Order of St. Dominic

• The winter of 1125

• Norbert's great love for the poor

• Document which makes provision for the poor in all Premonstratensian abbeys

CHAPTER B-12: Norbert is still opposed

• His Journey to Rome

• Pope Honorius confirms the Order

• The Bull issued by the Pope

• Prophetic words in Rome

• New foundations on German soil

• Miracle of Wurzburg where, through Norbert, God restores sight to a blind woman

• The People want Norbert for their Bishop

• His return to Premontre

CHAPTER B-13: Abbots and Provosts in the Order

• New Foundations

• Everwin, Abbot of Steinfeldt

• Concerning the marriage of Count Theobald

• Norbert's farewell address to his disciples

• Solemn Diet of Spires

• Norbert is proclaimed Archbishop

TIME PERIOD C

From the Time Norbert Becomes Archbishop Until His Death

1126-1134

CHAPTER C-1: Norbert's triumphant entrance Into Magdaburg

• His appearance

• The Doorkeeper refuses him admittance

• His episcopal Consecration

• Conditions of the times

• Norbert begins his work of reform

• Meets with great opposition

• He receives the Pallium

• General condition of the diocese

• Wends

• First Missionary expedition of Norbert

CHAPTER C-2: Relations between Norbert and King Lothaire

• Takes sides against Conrad

• A friend of the religious of his diocese

• His visit to Premontre and Xanten

• Vision of Hugh

• The government of the Order goes over to Hugh

• First General Chapter

• The Fathers come into Magdeburg

CHAPTER C-3: Plots against the life of the Saint

• Archdeacon Atticus

• The false penitent

• How God warned the Saint

• A second attempt is made on his life

• Desecration of the Cathedral occasion for outbreak

• A riot

• The Saint and the Canons sing the Offlce of Matins in the tower

• False accusations against Norbert

• The Saint's courage

• Mass of thanksgiving. (1129-1130)

CHAPTER C-4: A new attack on Norbert's life

• Diabolical plan

• Norbert is forced to leave Magdeburg

• His stay at Bergen

• Pronounces the excommunication

• Norbert's triumphant return

• His address

• Peaceful administration of the diocese

• Progress of the Order

• Habit of the German Fathers. (1130)

CHAPTER C-5: Schism of Peter di Leone

• Condition of the times

• Consequences of Schism

• Norbert's activity for the recognition of the lawful Pontiff

• Two important letters

• Diet of Wurzburg

• Antipope flatters Norbert

• Norbert is excommunicated by Anacletus

• Pope Innocent and Norbert visit Premontre

• Pope Confirms the Order. (1130-1131)

CHAPTER C-6: Intrigues of' Anacletus

• Innocent sets out for Rome

• St. Bernard

• Norbert's part in Italian expedition

• Imperial Chancellor

• Revolt at Augsburg

• Schemes of Anacletus frustrated by Norbert

• Admirable conduct of Norbert at Lothaire's coronation

• Primate of Germany

• Pope expresses gratitude to Norbert. (1132-1133)

CHAPTER C-7: Norbert returns to Magdeburg

• Drives out the evil spirit

• Raises three dead to life

• Foundation of Berne, Mother-Abbey of American foundation

• The Saint's last illness

• His thoughtfulness for the future

• His edifying death

• Dispute regarding the remains

• The solemn burial

• Apparitions. (1134)

CHAPTER C-8: Review of the principal events of Norbert's life