St.Herman Joseph

Position: priest, monk, and mystic OPraem
Death: 1241 or 1252
Patrons: mothers, children, and watchmakers
Attributes: boy, apple, Jesus Christ with Mother, inkwell, chalice, key, Premonstratensian, writing implements, rose
CURRICULUM VITAE

He was born in the 12th century. Redemonstrate in Cologne and from childhood was subject to mystical visions. Originally he was supposed to be a watchmaker, but then he entered the Premonstratensian order, where he became a priest. The abbot entrusted him with the care of the food of his brothers, in which he proved himself patient and obedient. In his spiritual life he is said to have achieved a mystical marriage. Finally, he was a sacristan, composing hymns and an interpretation of the Song of Solomon.
CV FOR MEDITATION

REWARDED TRUST
He came from a poor family in Cologne. He went to school from the age of seven and hurried to church afterward, where he spent hours in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus. He spoke to them in a childlike, intimate way, as if they were not statues but real beings. He told them what he was thinking and loved to share it. Legend has it that he once gave an apple to the baby Jesus, and the baby Jesus reached out and took it. This reminds us that what we can truly think is truly accepted and rewarded by the loving God.

He called the Virgin Mary his mother and his rose. He often recalled Jesus’ poverty on earth and his humiliation and suffering. Then he rejoiced in his poverty, especially in the possibility of reproach. The world seemed to him like a sea of ​​temptations, and at the age of 12 he decided to enter the Premonstratensian monastery in Steinfeld. Perhaps precisely because St. Norbert had entrusted the order to the protection of the Mother of God and a flame of love for Herman burned in his heart. Around that time or later, he trained as a watchmaker.

After receiving the white robe of the order, he was sent to the monastery of Frisco for further education. There he studied well, but he did not like the writings of pagan orators. They allegedly gave him a musty smell. On the other hand, he felt a sweet delight in the writings of the Church Fathers. After his studies, he returned, took religious vows, and was ordained a priest.

Someone entrusted him with the care of food, shattering his dreams of remaining in contemplative prayer. He willingly and humbly provided it and served at the table. He himself preferred to fast on bread and water, and when he complained to Fr. Mary that he could no longer remain in prayer for long, she reassured him: when he performs the duties assigned to him by serving his brothers as if he were serving Christ and God, he offers the most beloved sacrifice.

After some time, he was appointed sacristan, with responsibility for the temple, sacred vessels, and liturgical vestments. Thus, the desire of his heart was granted so that he could devote himself more to meditation. Occasionally, he spent the whole night before the altar. Perhaps because he excelled in purity, love and reverence for the Mother of God, the brothers began to call him Joseph. His humility and modesty prevented him from accepting the name of the betrothed of St. Mary, until she allegedly appeared to him with an angel, who announced to him that the Most Holy Virgin was betrothed to him, as she was betrothed to Joseph, and that she wished him to accept his name.

Due to frequent mystical experiences with Mother Mary and especially an exaggerated ascetic life, Herman Josef became physically weak and then seriously ill. He blamed himself for being unable to serve his brothers. And the Virgin Mary brought him out of his despondency by begging for his health. One biographer wrote that he was like a grain of wheat ground by two millstones, one by pleasures and the other by sufferings.superiorscompanions

He also belonged to the worshipers of holy friends in heaven. In honor of St. Voršila and her companions, he composed a hymn, including a melody to it based on the singing of the virgins during a mystical experience. At that time, they also found their remainssuperiors, and Heřman Josef begged the superioress Voršila for the skull of St. Gertrude.

Among his remarkable virtues was touching humility. He behaved as the least and most unworthy, contented himself with an older patched monastic habit, and was perfectly obedient to his superiors. He also administered the hours in the monastery and radiated a special charm. In his later years, he began to write a commentary on the Old Testament Song of Solomon. His work had the best qualities, thanks to Father Maria’s encouragement. While working on his writing, he experienced pleasure and distanced himself from everything earthly.

In his last years, he prepared for the death he had predicted, as well as for the grave. He lived out his life in Hoven, near Zülpich, in a monastery where the Cistercian nuns had called him to perform the Easter rites. When they welcomed him there, he pointed with his staff to the place where he would be buried. Eventually, with great pomp, his body was transferred to Steinfeld. Miracles were performed at his grave. Two dates of indistinguishable authenticity have been preserved for the year of his death. He was canonized in 1960.