St. Norbert Abbey

What St. Norbert Abbey does

St. Norbert Abbey is a Norbertine (Premonstratensian) Catholic religious community headquartered on a 160-acre campus in De Pere, Wisconsin, with a formation presence in Chicago. The community traces its presence in Wisconsin to 1893 and was raised to Abbey status in 1925; it currently comprises approximately 34 priests, brothers, and men in formation. Its ministry portfolio combines contemplative and active work: daily liturgical prayer, parish and school ministry at eight apostolate sites (including St. Norbert College, Notre Dame Academy, and multiple parish schools), spiritual retreats and direction at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality (NCS), and stewardship of the National Shrine of St. Joseph — one of only 17 papal-crowned Josephian statues worldwide and the only one in the United States.

Revenue is derived from a hybrid of fee-based retreat and hospitality services (rooms at $75–$95/night, meals at $13–$17), suggested donations for spiritual direction ($50/session) and Mass intentions ($20), merchandise and publications (including Abbey Magazine and "The Liturgy in Stained Glass"), and — most significantly — voluntary contributions from supporters and parishioners. The Abbey does not publicly disclose revenue. Distribution is direct-to-consumer and direct-to-parish: services are delivered in person at the De Pere campus, at the National Shrine, and through assigned priests at apostolate schools and parishes. The Abbey reinvests in its mission via the Augustine Stewardship Fund, awarding $100,000 annual grants to community nonprofits through 2029 as part of the Norbertine Order's 900th anniversary.

The organization has no technology product surface; its communications stack consists of a WordPress website, Constant Contact newsletter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and the "Canons On The Run" podcast. Leadership transitioned in 2026 with the election of Abbot Bradley Vanden Branden (the youngest abbot in the Abbey's history) and the appointment of Fr. Timothy Shillcox as Prior, suggesting a generational succession with continuity of mission.

Name

St. Norbert Abbey

Legal name

St. Norbert Abbey

Website

https://norbertines.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

St. Norbert Abbey is a Norbertine Catholic religious community in De Pere, Wisconsin, serving individual retreatants, Catholic parishioners, and pilgrims through retreat facilities, parish/school ministry, and the National Shrine of St. Joseph.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Retreat Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL), Ministerial Training Institutes (Clergy Formation) (EDAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Spiritual retreat services
• Catholic religious community
• Pilgrimage shrine services
• Spiritual direction ministry
• Parish school ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

De Pere

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Voluntary donations from supporters, parishioners, and retreatants supporting the Norbertine Community's mission and operations.
2. Retreat and Hospitality Services: Fees for retreat guest rooms, meals, and conference facilities at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality.
3. Spiritual Direction Services: Suggested donation of $50 per spiritual direction session.
4. Mass Intentions: Suggested $20 donation per Mass intention.
5. Publications and Merchandise: Sales of 'The Liturgy in Stained Glass' book and other religious materials.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

St. Norbert Abbey is a Norbertine (Premonstratensian) Catholic religious community that operates the Norbertine Center for Spirituality retreat facility with 30 guest rooms, the National Shrine of St. Joseph pilgrimage site, parish and school ministry at 8 apostolate locations, and offers spiritual direction sessions, directed retreats, daily liturgical prayer, and vocational formation. Revenue is generated through retreat and hospitality fees, suggested donations for spiritual services and Mass intentions, and sales of religious publications.

Product overview

St. Norbert Abbey operates as a religious community with several interconnected spiritual ministry offerings. The core offerings include the Norbertine Center for Spirituality (a retreat facility with overnight accommodations, spiritual direction, and programs), the National Shrine of St. Joseph (a pilgrimage and prayer site), Abbey Magazine (a semi-annual publication), The Liturgy in Stained Glass (a commemorative book), and the Canons On The Run Podcast. These offerings support the Abbey's mission of living the Gospel through community prayer, liturgical celebration, and service to the People of God.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Norbertine Center for Spirituality (NCS): A sanctuary for seekers offering retreats, spiritual direction, and programming
• National Shrine of St. Joseph
• Canons On The Run

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Norbert CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorbertines have a presence at St. Norbert College where the National Shrine of St. Joseph is located. Several Norbertine priests serve at the college, and the abbey has historical ties to the institution founded in 1898.
• Notre Dame AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApostolate school of St. Norbert Abbey where Norbertine priests serve as chaplains. Part of the local Church ministry network.
• Diocese of Green BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorbertine priests serve parishes within the Diocese of Green Bay, including St. Willebrord Parish where Fr. Timothy Shillcox and Fr. Kenneth De Groot have ministered. Norbertines work under diocesan oversight for parish assignments.
• Catholic Theological Union (Chicago)coreTechnology or IntegrationNorbertines pursuing priesthood study at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This is the official theologate for the Order's priestly formation.
• Casa ALBA Melanie Hispanic Community Resource CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFr. Kenneth De Groot co-founded this resource center in Green Bay with Sister Melanie Maczka to serve the Hispanic/Latino population in northeast Wisconsin.
• Sleep in Heavenly Peace (De Pere Chapter)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorbertine Community donated $25,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace to construct 100 beds for children in Brown County as part of 100th anniversary celebrations.
• AspirominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of $100,000 jubilee grant from Augustine Stewardship Fund. Aspiro serves over 1,400 individuals with disabilities in the Green Bay area.
• Freedom House (Green Bay)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of $100,000 jubilee grant. Freedom House provides homeless housing services and family support in Green Bay area.
• N.E.W. Community ClinicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecipient of $100,000 jubilee grant in 2024 from Augustine Stewardship Fund.
• Norbertine Order (International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Norbert Abbey is part of the worldwide Norbertine Order (Order of Prémontré) founded in 1121 by St. Norbert of Xanten. The Order has abbeys on five continents.
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Norbert Abbey follows the Dallas Charter (Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People) established by USCCB for child protection compliance.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Abbey of Gethsemani: Trappist monastery in Kentucky renowned for its retreat ministry and guest house operations. Comparable to St. Norbert Abbey as a contemplative Catholic community offering overnight retreats, spiritual direction, and devotional programs.
• St. Meinrad Archabbey: Benedictine archabbey in southern Indiana operating a retreat center, seminary (School of Theology), and parish ministries. Closely mirrors St. Norbert Abbey's combination of retreat hospitality, priestly formation, and parish service.
• Conception Abbey: Benedictine abbey in northwest Missouri operating a seminary (Conception Seminary College), retreat house, and parish apostolates. Closely comparable to St. Norbert Abbey's integrated formation/retreat/parish ministry model.
• Mount Angel Abbey: Benedictine abbey in Oregon with a seminary (Mount Angel Seminary), retreat ministry, and educational apostolates. Comparable to St. Norbert Abbey for combining retreat hospitality, priestly formation, and broader Catholic ministry.
• Daylesford Abbey: A Norbertine (Premonstratensian) abbey in Paoli, Pennsylvania. As the only other active Norbertine community in the United States, it is the most direct operational, liturgical, and vocational peer to St. Norbert Abbey.
• Marmion Abbey: Benedictine abbey in Aurora, Illinois with an attached Catholic preparatory school (Marmion Academy) and retreat programs. Comparable to St. Norbert Abbey's pairing of Catholic K-12 education with monastic retreat ministry.
• Glastonbury Abbey: Benedictine monastery in Hingham, Massachusetts operating a retreat house, gift shop, and farm. Comparable to St. Norbert Abbey for retreat-led revenue and monastic hospitality offerings.
• St. Procopius Abbey: Benedictine abbey in Lisle, Illinois with retreat, parish, and educational ministries. Comparable to St. Norbert Abbey as a multi-ministry Benedictine community in the upper Midwest.
• Subiaco Abbey: Benedictine abbey in Arkansas operating a private Catholic academy (Subiaco Academy) and retreat facilities. Analogous to St. Norbert Abbey's combination of retreat hospitality and Catholic secondary school apostolate.
• St. Joseph's Abbey (Spencer): Trappist abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts running a guest house retreat program alongside monastic and parish ministries. Analogous to St. Norbert Abbey in scale, retreat-led operations, and devotional/pilgrim ministry.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StNorbertAbbey
• Instagraminstagram.com/stnorbertabbey
• Xx.com/StNorbertAbbey

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Norbert Abbey