Hermann the Cripple - Hymn to MARY - Author of SALVE REGINA
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August 22, 2021Don't allow any sadness to dwell in your soul,
for sadness prevents the Holy Spirit from acting freely.Padre Pio
Hermann the Cripple - Hymn to MARY - Author of SALVE REGINA
On a February day in 1013, a baby boy was born to a noble couple living near Lake Constance in Switzerland. The parents and their ten other children welcomed him warmly. As was the custom, the neighbors dropped in to see the little newcomer, and to congratulate the parents. But, because the baby was hopelessly crippled, most of them went away shaking their heads and muttering: "It would be a blessing if that child would die! It would have been better if he had not been born."
Yet, this baby was destined to live for 4l years, and during this time he would never take a single step.
His parents accepted this crippled infant as a special gift from God, and gave him the name of Hermann at Baptism.
With great love and care they taught him until he was seven. Then, realizing his need for teachers more competent than they themselves were, they took him to a nearby Benedictine monastery. There the monks gladly undertook his education.
The monks very soon discovered that his deformed, pain-racked body housed an extraordinarily brilliant intellect. At an early age, he became proficient in diverse subjects, including Greek, Latin, astronomy, and music.
WHEN HERMANN was old enough, he begged to be accepted as a Benedictine. All the rules were against him, but a wise old abbot accepted him.
After completing his training as a novice, he was appointed to teach. Before long everyone realized that his mind was exceptionally brilliant. Although he had to be carried into the classroom, had an impediment in his speech, and found it difficult to write - he was a born teacher. His agility of mind in solving student problems endeared him to all.
Regardless of his busy schedule, he was always cheerfully available. Day after day, Hermann did his appointed tasks with joy.
Finally, after long years of service and suffering, he began to suspect that death was near. Thoughtfully and lovingly, he took his pen into his deformed fingers. In his heart there was a song he must write: It must be the best thing he ever did, because it was a song of a Queen - The Queen of his heart! Swiftly the words flowed from his pen:HAIL Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us.
And after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary
V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Almighty, everlasting God, who by the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to become a worthy dwelling for Thy Son; grant that we who rejoice in her commemoration may, by her loving intercession, be delivered from present evils and from the everlasting death. Amen.
and so, to the very end. And just as swiftly he set the words to music. . .
For all the centuries since, we have continued to say and to sing, in joy and in sorrow, the SALVE REGINA - the "Hail, Holy Queen!" The immortal love song of Hermann the Cripple!
Now, what did you say YOUR problem is???- London Tablet.
KINDNESS supersedes all – What is Strong?
The following things are strong:
Iron is strong, but fire melts it.
Fire is strong, but water quenches it.
Water is strong, but the clouds evaporate it.
- Talmud
