Blessed Herman Contractus
Blessed Herman Contractus (born July 18, 1013 AD in Altshausen, Swabia, Germany; died September 24, 1054 AD on Reichenau Island, Lake Constance, Germany) was a German Catholic Benedictine monk of the Abbey of Reichenau, renowned as one of the greatest scholars of the 11th century — mathematician, astronomer, historian, musicologist, and composer — despite suffering severe physical disabilities from birth. He is traditionally attributed with composing the Marian antiphons Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX on September 25, 1863. His feast day is September 25.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Herman Contractus
| Blessed Herman Contractus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 25 |
| Profession | German Catholic Benedictine monk and scholar; born Altshausen Swabia July 18 1013; Benedictine oblate at Reichenau c. 1020; severe physical disability from birth; mathematician astronomer historian musicologist composer; traditionally attributed with composing Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater; died Reichenau September 24 1054; beatified Pope Pius IX September 25 1863; feast September 25; also known as Herman the Lame and Hermannus Augiensis |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Benedictine Order (OSB); Abbey of Reichenau; 11th-century German scholarship; Lake Constance region; Swabia; Baden-Württemberg |
| Patronage | Reichenau; Lake Constance; Baden-Württemberg; Germany; Swabia; persons with disabilities; scholars; mathematicians; astronomers; composers; historians; Marian devotion; those who overcome disability through faith |
| Attributes | Benedictine habit; September 25 feast; Reichenau Island setting; disability (seated or reclining with supports); mathematical instruments (abacus, astrolabe); musical notation; Salve Regina text; Lake Constance |
| Birthplace | Altshausen, Swabia, Germany |
| Death Place | Reichenau Island, Lake Constance, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died September 24, 1054, on Reichenau Island, Lake Constance; Blessed Herman Contractus (Latin: Hermannus Contractus; German: Hermann der Lahme; also Herman the Lame) was a German Catholic Benedictine monk of the Abbey of Reichenau on Lake Constance; born July 18 1013 with severe physical disabilities (possibly cerebral palsy); despite disability became a great scholar in mathematics astronomy history musicology and composition; traditionally attributed with composing the Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater; beatified Pope Pius IX September 25 1863; feast September 25 |
| Primary Shrine | Reichenau Island (Abbey of Reichenau), Lake Constance, Baden-Württemberg, Germany; September 25 feast; beatified Pius IX September 25 1863 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; September 25 feast in the Benedictine tradition and locally at Reichenau and in Baden-Württemberg |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Herman Contractus (Herman the Lame) was born July 18, 1013, in Altshausen, Swabia. Born with severe physical disabilities that affected his limbs, palate, and speech, he was offered as an oblate to the Abbey of Reichenau on Lake Constance at age 7.
Despite his disabilities, he became one of the most distinguished scholars of the 11th century, producing works in mathematics, astronomy, chronology, music theory, history, and poetry. He is traditionally attributed with composing the Marian antiphons Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater.
He died September 24, 1054, on Reichenau Island. He was beatified by Pope Pius IX on September 25, 1863. His feast day is September 25.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Altshausen, Swabia, Germany
Death location: Reichenau Island, Lake Constance, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
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Feast day
September 25
Veneration
Blessed Herman Contractus (1013–1054) was a German Benedictine monk of Reichenau who, despite severe physical disabilities, became one of the greatest scholars of the 11th century and is traditionally credited with composing the Salve Regina; beatified Pius IX September 25, 1863. Feast September 25.
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