The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey elected the Very Rev. Bradley R. Vanden Branden, O. Praem., as the eighth abbot in its 133-year history. Abbot Vanden Branden was elected this afternoon for a term of nine years and begins his term immediately.
A total of 34 priests, brothers and men in formation are attached to St. Norbert Abbey, whose members can be found in houses in De Pere, Wis., and Chicago, Ill.
Abbot Vanden Branden succeeds Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem., who recently reached his retirement age after nearly eight years as abbot. Shortly after the election concluded, Abbot Vanden Branden received his mozzetta (abbatial cape) and pectoral cross, which has been worn by every abbot at St. Norbert Abbey since 1955. Abbot Vanden Branden also placed his hand on the Book of Gospels and read the Oath of Fidelity and the Profession of Faith.
Born in Green Bay, Wis., in 1987, Abbot Vanden Branden, 38, is the youngest Abbot elected in the history of St. Norbert Abbey. His family includes his parents, Tom and Joan Vanden Branden, and a sister, Kally Verheyen, and her husband, Cody, and their daughters.
Abbot Vanden Branden is a graduate of West De Pere High School and pursued undergraduate studies in Music Education at St. Norbert College. His theological training took place at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where he received a Master of Divinity degree and a Master of Arts in Theology (Liturgy).
Abbot Vanden Branden was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.
His assignments included:
* Chaplain at Notre Dame Academy (2016-2018).
* Prior at St. Norbert Abbey (2018-2026).
* Director of the Norbertine Center for Spirituality (2024-present).
In preparation for the abbatial blessing Mass in April at St. Norbert Abbey Church, a coat of arms will be developed by Abbot Vanden Branden. At the Mass, the Bishop will confer on him his miter, crozier and ring, symbols of authority and service.
The Norbertine Community of St. Norbert Abbey is part of a worldwide Norbertine Order founded in 1121 by Norbert of Xanten. In addition to daily Mass, morning prayer (Lauds) and evening prayer (Vespers) at St. Norbert Abbey Church, the local Norbertines have a presence at eight apostolate schools and parishes, including: St. Norbert College (De Pere), Notre Dame Academy (Green Bay), Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic School (Green Bay), St. Willebrord Catholic Church (Green Bay), St. Norbert College Parish (De Pere), Holy Cross Catholic Church (Green Bay), and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church (De Pere).
The National Shrine of St. Joseph, on the St. Norbert College campus in De Pere, has been a ministry of the Norbertine Community since 1898. And the Norbertine Center for Spirituality is located at St. Norbert Abbey.
In 1893, Fr. Bernard Pennings, O. Praem., and two fellow Norbertines left Berne Abbey in Holland for a cross-Atlantic journey to the Door Peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin. Led by Fr. Pennings, the Norbertine group took up pastoral work with immigrants from Belgium, Holland and France who had settled in Wisconsin’s peninsula.
Over time, the religious community and its impact grew, and on Feb. 10, 1925, St. Norbert Priory in De Pere received approval from Pope Pius XI to become St. Norbert Abbey. The Norbertine Community is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary of abbey status.
The list of previous abbots at St. Norbert Abbey include, in chronological order, Abbot Bernard Pennings, O. Praem. (1925-1955), Abbot Sylvester Killeen, O. Praem. (1955-1970), Abbot Jerome Tremel (1970-1982), Abbot Benjamin Mackin, O. Praem. (1982-1994), Abbot Thomas De Wane, O. Praem. (1994-2003), Abbot Gary Neville, O. Praem. (2003-2018), and Abbot Dane Radecki, O. Praem. (2018-2026).
The mission of the Norbertine Community is: “We live the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the traditions of Saints Norbert and Augustine. We live a common life ‘one in mind and heart on the way to God’ through celebration of the Eucharist, liturgical prayer and service to the People of God.”
To learn more about the Norbertine Community, please visit www.norbertines.org.
Founded in 1888, St. John the Baptist School is a Catholic school in Howard where students grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, pursue high levels of academics, and are surrounded by a community rooted in Christian values. Our staff is committed to developing the whole child by nurturing each child’s academic, emotional, spiritual and behavioral development. By partnering with parents, we aim to individualize student learning in a structured environment where students grow and succeed.
St. John the Baptist School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. St. John the Baptist provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. For more information about St. John the Baptist Catholic School, visit their website at https://sjbhschool.org.
