(Reprinted with permission of Fr. Don Noel)
A priest and sculptor has scientifically modeled the head of St. Norbert of Xanten, giving the world a look at the man who founded the Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré almost nine centuries ago and ignited the fires of the great spiritual awakening of that era known as the Reform Movement of the Eleventh Century.
In addition to being an inspired preacher, Norbert was also a friend to Popes, Saints and Emperors, serving as Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire. After founding his Order, he was appointed Archbishop of Magdeburg, where he died in 1134. His body was moved from Magdeburg to Strahov Abbey in Prague, Czech Republic, in the 16th century, after the Protestant Reformation.
Rev. Claude Noel is an ordained Canon Regular of Prémontré and an accomplished sculptor in his own right. He worked closely with Ms. Betty Pat Gatliff, a nationally known forensic sculptor at the University of Oklahoma. Ms. Gatliff has worked in facial reconstruction on many criminal cases, aiding investigators by helping to identify crime victims.
To get skull measurements that would make such a reconstruction possible and accurate, Father Noel traveled to Strahov Abbey in Prague. There he was permitted to use precise and delicate scientific instruments to take readings of the skull of St. Norbert through a veil that covered it. With Ms. Gatliff's assistance, Fr. Noel then used these measurements to complete the facial reconstruction of St. Norbert.
"This is as close as anyone will ever get to capturing what Norbert actually looked like," said Fr. Noel, "This is based totally on the measurements I took of St. Norbert's skull." By all accounts, St. Norbert stood about five feet, six inches tall and was a ruggedly handsome man.
Although hundreds of images of St. Norbert have been made since his death, there are no authentic representations of the saint.
