Saint Hermann Joseph

Hermann Joseph, (c. 1150 – 7 April 1241) was a German Premonstratensian canon regular and mystic. Never formally canonized, in 1958 his status as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church was formally recognized by Pope Pius XII. Hermann was born in Cologne, the son of Count Lothair of Meer and his wife Hildegund. His sister was Hadewych of Meer. Though of the nobility, the family was not overly wealthy. According to the biography by Razo Bonvisinus, a contemporary and prior of Steinfeld Abbey, at the age of seven Hermann attended school and very early was known for devotion to the Blessed Virgin. At every available moment, he could be found at the church of St. Maria im Kapitol, where he would kneel rapt in prayer to Mary. Bonvisinus claims that the boy once presented an apple, saved from his lunch to a statue of Jesus, who accepted it. According to still another legend, on another occasion, when on a cold day he made his appearance with bare feet, Mary procured him the means of getting shoes. At the age of twelve, he entered the abbey of the Premonstratensian (more commonly known as Norbertine) Canons Regular at Steinfeld. As he was too young to be accepted into the Order, he was sent to study, probably at Mariengaarde at Hallum in Friesland. Upon his return, he made his vows and was given the habit and the additional name "Joseph". As a novice, he was entrusted initially with the service of the refectory and later of the sacristy. After his ordination, Hermann was sometimes sent out to perform pastoral duties and was also in frequent demand for the making and repairing of clocks. He was also active in pastoral care outside the monastery, especially in women's monasteries in the Eifel region. Herman was characterized by his child-like devotion to Mary. Late in his life, he had under his charge the spiritual welfare of the Cistercian nuns at Hoven, near Zülpich, whom he served as chaplain. There he died and was buried in their cloister.