The Eternal Pilgrim: A Life of St. Norbert

"You would do well to consult Norbert. He is, as we well know, closer to God than we are." -- St. Bernard of Clairvaux

It is rare to find a historian motivated by deep faith who also possesses the literary craft of a novelist, yet that is precisely the gift that we encounter in Fr. Dominique-Marie Dauzet in Eternal Pilgrim (originally published as Petite Vie de Saint Norbert and awarded the Montyon Prize by the Académie Française).

Journey through the turbulent times of St. Norbert of Xanten (1080-1134), who lived in the Holy Roman Empire through schism and the Crusades. Cultured, tenderhearted, and unconventional, St. Norbert gave up all the honors and comforts of the world to serve God. At a time when the priesthood was at a low point in its history, St. Norbert called his brother priests to the heights. Lifting high the Holy Eucharist over the errors and miseries of his time, this mystical pilgrim scattered the darkness and put the demons to flight.

In these stirring pages, Fr. Dauzet reveals how St. Norbert helped restore calm in the Church through the Gregorian Reform. He also provides fascinating details about:

• The thunderbolt that caused Norbert's own "Road to Damascus
• His chaplaincy in the service of dignitaries, including Emperor Henry V
• Norbert's indefatigable fidelity amid trials, persecutions, and even assassination attempts
• The saint's fiery temperament and the marvelous effects of his powerful preaching
• The Eucharistic miracle, the "spider miracle," and his dramatic exorcism during Mass at the elevation of the Host

Fr. Dauzet's inspiring biography also includes hard-to-find prayers and devotions to St. Norbert, and a fascinating history of the development of the Norbertine Order in North America.

Author: Fr Dominique-Marie Dauzet O. Praem
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
Published: 01/20/2026
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.67lbs
Size: 8.52h x 5.58w x 0.65d
ISBN: 9798889116448

About the Author
Fr. Dominique-Marie Dauzet was born at Suresnes, France, in 1961. He was clothed with the white habit of the Norbertine Order on November 25, 1985, at the abbey of St. Martin of Mondaye in Normandy: the only Norbertine abbey of the ninety lost in the French Revolution to come back to life. He was ordained to the priesthood on November 12, 1995. Getting to know and love St. Norbert has been a great passion of his over the years. In addition to his licentiate in Theology, he received a doctorate in Church history from the Sorbonne. He has served his abbey both as librarian and archivist and cantor, and was also archivist for the Diocese of Bayeux and Lisieux. Among his many pastoral activities, Fr. Dominique-Marie has served as chaplain for a local detention center. He is a member of the Historical Commission of the Norbertine Order and has made many valuable contributions to the history and spirituality of St. Norbert and his order, including a wide variety of books and publications.