Hermann Joseph von Steinfeld

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 own lunch, to a statue of Jesus, who accepted it.[1] 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. [2]

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] 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.[2]

His works include: "A Commentary on the Canticle of Canticles", which is lost; "Opuscula" (new edition, Namur, 1899), including: "Duodecim gratiarum actiones"; "Jubilus seu Hymnus de SS. undecim millibus Virginibus"; "Oratio ad Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum", taken to a great extent from the Canticle of Canticles; "Alia Oratio"; "Precula de quinque Gaudiis B. Mariae V." It is not quite certain whether the last three are the works of Hermann, though they are generally ascribed to him. He possibly created the oldest hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (“Summi regis cor aveto”).[3]

Tomb of Hermann Joseph von Steinfeld, Kloster Steinfeld

Reports of miracles that are said to have happened immediately after his death testify to the veneration of the saint in the late Middle Ages. The miracle stories show well-known hagiographic patterns. Miraculous healings deal with the blind or almost blind, paralyzed and possessed, but also with everyday complaints such as toothache, sore throat, headache, etc.[4]

His body was later transferred back to Steinfeld, where his marble tomb and large picture may be seen to the present day. By custom apples are left at his tomb, in reference to a legend that Hermann once offered an apple to the Christ Child in the arms of the Madonna in the church of St. Maria im Kapitol at Cologne - who took it.[1] Portions of his relics are at Cologne and at Antwerp. His grave in Steinfeld became a pilgrimage destination. In the Middle Ages especially by mothers, in modern times by children and pupils.[3] The Hermann Josef Festival is held at Steinfeld on the sixth Sunday after Easter.[4]

The process of his canonization was begun in 1626, at the request of Archbishop Ferdinand of Cologne and the Emperor Ferdinand II, but was interrupted. His feast, however, continued to be celebrated on 4 April, by the members of his Order and the name of Hermann was listed in the Premonstratensian supplement to the Roman Martyrology. They also celebrate the translation of his relics on 24 May. Pope Benedict XIII consecrated an altar in honor of the Blessed Hermann Joseph in the Roman College of the Norbertines in 1728.

His status as a saint was confirmed by Pope Pius XII in 1958. (The Salvatorian Fathers, who had come to occupy the abbey in Steinfeld in modern times, opted to perform this less costly and involved process—known as Confirmatio Cultus—rather than to carry out a full canonization process.) His current feast day on the calendar of the diocese of Cologne is 21 May. (His mother and sister are listed among the "Blessed".)

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Bl. Hermann Joseph". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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