One of the fascinating, but lesser-known figures in our church is Blessed Herman the Cripple or Hermann Contractus. He was born in 1013. At the age of seven, his parents brought him to a monastery in Switzerland where the monks received him and gave him a fine education. He made his religious vows, becoming a Benedictine Monk at the age of twenty.
Blessed Herman the Cripple was known as the Wonder of the Age. He possessed a vast knowledge of mathematics, geometry, astronomy, geometry, history, and musical theory. He even studied the effects of music on the brain. People sought him out not only for his vast knowledge but because of his warm and loving disposition.
What is most interesting is that he was severely handicapped. He had Spinal bifida, a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and most likely ALS. His voice was so weak it never got louder than a whisper. Although he could barely move his body, he made fine musical instruments and scientific devices. When he went blind in his 30s, he wrote music. He wrote the Salve Regina and the Alma Redemptoris Mater, two of the four seasonal Marian Antiphons.
As we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family, so much is unknown about the hidden years of the Holy Family. But like Herman the Cripple, incredible grace and power lay hidden for those years within the walls of that home in Nazareth. Each of them was aware of the divinity of Christ, which held secret in his humanity. They knew that God dwelled with them—that there was more to Christ than what he appeared to be. There was mutual respect and honor given to all.
The dignity of every human being requires us to exercise that same charity towards one another. To know that there is something unique in each person, despite their appearances, uselessness, or even their sins. Think of the charity of the monks to take Herman the Cripple knowing that he would be a burden. Today one wonders if the doctor would’ve told his parents to consider aborting him. Think of all the kids bullied at school because of their awkwardness. How do we look upon the least among us, our younger brothers and sisters in this house, or the old and frail in our nursing homes, and right here in church?
Herman the Cripple stands as a shining light reminding us that God chooses the weak of the world to confound the strong. It is charity that ruled in his monastery, in the home of Nazareth, and must reign in our homes, our churches, and communities. We will be judged on how well we treat the least among us. And we will be blessed immensely in return for our charity towards them.