Blessed Herman the Cripple, Monk (Also known as Hermannus Contractus or Herman von Reichenau)
Feast Day - September 25 Herman (1013 – 1054) was the son of Count Wolverad II von Altshausen. Born in Swabia, Germany, he had a cleft palate, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. Herman was cared for from age seven by the Benedictine monks of the Reichenau abbey of Switzerland. He was professed as a monk there at the age of twenty.

Although he was bedridden and had a speech impediment that made him nearly impossible to understand, Herman had enormous intellect. He was an expert on, and wrote about, astronomy, theology, math, history, and poetry, using Arabic, Greek, German, and Latin. He designed and fashioned musical instruments, and built tools to study the stars. In the secular world he is known as the author of one of the earliest chronicles of world history from Christ to his own time period. Within the Roman Catholic Church, he is known as the great author of two of her most beloved hymns, Alma Redemptoris Mater and Salve Regina (the Hail, Holy Queen, which is recited at the end of a rosary.). The ancient popularity of Alma Redemptoris Mater is demonstrated by the fact that it is found in the "The Prioress' Tale" in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. At the time, Herman was considered throughout the western world as the wonder of his age.

As if he had some foreknowledge of his eventual blindness, Herman produced enough literature and academic writings to fill a small library. Blessed Herman died at the age of 40 in 1054. He was beatified in 1863. Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy. Hail my life, my sweetness and my hope! To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve! To you do we send up our sighs; mourning and weeping in this vale of tears! Turn, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward me, and after this, our exile, show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus Christ! Clement, loving, sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1910.