Herman’s parents were very poor people who lived in Germany. Because he was so poor, little Herman did not receive much of an education. Yet his great love for our Blessed Mother kept him out of trouble. He grew up under Our Lady’s loving care and he went to her every time he needed something. He liked nothing better than to spend time praying to Mary.
When he entered a monastery, Herman was not too happy at first. This was because he had to work in the kitchen and serve his brothers at table. So much of his time was spent with the pots and pans that poor Herman could not pray to his Blessed Mother for hours any more. One day he complained about it to her and Our Lady came to tell him not to worry. “For every day work,” she said, “you earn a greater reward in Heaven than if you had prayed all day long!” Then Herman was happy. He knew that we please Our Lord and His Mother most when we do our duty in obedience.
Herman received his other name of Joseph in an unusual way. It was given him by the other monks when they saw how much he was like the great St. Joseph, Our Lady’s Spouse. Herman was so humble that he did not think he deserved that name. So our Blessed Mother herself came to tell him to keep this name-Herman Joseph.
After he became a priest, the holy monk celebrated Mass with such love of God that people cried to see him. Even though he was so spiritual, Herman worked, too. In fact, he was a good Mechanic, and went to on monastery of his Order after another to repair clocks. Herman suffered much from sickness and temptations, but he offered it all to Our Lord and never lost his courage.
Our good actions are like letters that need the right address. This means that they will reach God and bring us a reward only if we do them for Him.
