Blessed Herman Joseph

Also known as

• Hermann Joseph

Memorial

• 7 April
• 24 May (translation of relics)
• 21 May (diocese of Cologne, Germany

Profile

Son of Saint Hildegund. Had a great devotion to Mary from an early age, and as a child would spend his free time in prayer at the nearby church of Saint Mary. Mystic whose otherwordly experiences made him famous throughout the areas of modern Germany. Premonstratensian monk at Steinfeld, Germany; cared for the refectory and sacristy in the house, and could build or repair clocks. Priest. Mystical writer of prayers, hymns, and bible studies; his visions and ecstacies continued throughout his life. Spiritual director of a group of Cistercian nuns at Hoven, Germany.

Born

• c.1150 at Cologne, Germany

Died

• 7 April 1241 in Hoven, Germany of natural causes
• buried at the Cistercian convent at Hoven
• relics transferred to a marble tomb at Steinfeld, Germany
• some relics in Cologne, Germany
• some relics in Antwerp, Belgium

Beatified

• 1958 by Pope Pius XII (cultus confirmed)

Representation

• monk or boy offering an apple to a statue of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus; legend says that he did that one day, and the Christ Child took it

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Encyclopedia
• Lives of the Saints, by Father Alban Butler
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
• Wikipedia

MLA Citation

• “Blessed Herman Joseph“. Saints.SQPN.com. 3 April 2013. Web. 19 May 2013. <>