Born to a poor German farm family in 1013, Herman Contractus had cerebral palsy, spinabifida, and a cleft palate. At the age of seven, his parents gave him to a Benedictine monastery on an island on Lake Constance where it was soon realized that in addition to his birth defects, he was blessed with an incredible intellect. He quickly became fluent in Latin, Arabic, and Greek, and mastered history, math, theology, music, and science. He even built his own musical instruments. He made his religious vows and became a Benedictine monk at the age of 20. Until his death at age 40, he cheerfully wrote works ranging from theology to academic texts, always with a smile and sense of joy that touched everyone.
CHALLENGE
Blessed Herman the Cripple also wrote hymns, and is credited with the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater. In today’s world, an unborn child with birth defects like Blessed Herman the Cripple is all too often the victim of abortion. Today, pray or sing these two hymns and ask our Blessed Mother to help us put an end to abortion.
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