Hermann Joseph
German mystic
Feast: 7 April (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Hermann, born at Cologne about 1150 to parents who had fallen into poverty, loved the Blessed Virgin from childhood; legend says he offered the Christ Child an apple from his own meagre meal. At twelve he entered the Premonstratensian abbey of Steinfeld.
As a priest he offered Mass with remarkable devotion and was known for his gentleness and humility; he also repaired clocks. He cared for the Cistercian nuns at Hoven, where he died on 7 April 1241.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A gentle priest with a childlike love of Mary.
Connected on this site
- Hildegund Blessed“At the age of twelve, her son Hermann Joseph was sent to the Premonstratensians (Norbertine) at Steinfeld Abbey, who sent him to the Netherlands to study.” — Wikipedia
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Blessed Hermann Joseph
- Wikidata Q460103 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Hermann Joseph von Steinfeld (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.