St. Herman Joseph, pray for us!

St. Herman Joseph was born in Cologne around 1150. He had a devotion to Our Lady practically from birth, and was given mystical graces from his childhood on. As a boy he liked to bring small gifts to a statue of the Virgin and Christ child at a Marian altar in Cologne. One day he brought them an apple. The famous story says that the statue came to life and accepted his humble gift.

At the age of 12 Herman entered the Norbertine Abbey of Steinfeld and worked there as sacristan, cellarer, and porter. Eventually, he went off to Freisland to do priestly studies. Once a priest, he returned to the Abbey of Steinfeld, where he was a canon. He was largely known for his gifts of preaching and guiding souls, especially among religious communities of women. Herman Joseph was a confessor, scriptural commentator, poet, composer, and a master clockmaker! One of his poems was a Marian consecration prayer in which he referred to Our Lady as his “rose.” He also wrote a hymn in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus following an apparition in which He experienced seeing Jesus Christ, crucified, with His Sacred Heart surrounded in flames. Besides receiving great gifts and visions, Herman Joseph also suffered much in mind and body, most acutely on great feasts of the Church.

He was given the name Joseph by his confreres because he was as devoted to Our Lady as St. Joseph, her spouse, must have been. Indeed, this was confirmed by the mystical marriage that took place between him and the Blessed Virgin.

At the age of 90, Herman Joseph went to celebrate Mass for the Cistercian sisters at Hoven during Holy Week. He prophesied that he would be buried in a churchyard there, and died on Easter Thursday, from a fever.

His feast day is celebrated on May 24^th.

Jason/fr. Herman Joseph has definitely chosen a wonderful saint to be named after! Of course, this name has some great pun potential. In his own words, he wants to become more like "her man, Joseph." We love YA!