Message from Marian Shrine

Introduction

The Gujarati catholic devotional hymn – bhajan number 333 of Kirtan Sagar beautifully invites all of us Christians on the first day of the month of May to sing and rejoice forever as the loving children of Mother Mary. In fact, the whole month of May is dedicated traditionally specially to our blessed and beloved Mother Mary, Mother of Jesus!  In fact, the first stanza of this bhajan can be sung only in the month of May not in other months. During this whole month either individually or in a community the Rosary is recited devotionally in the Families, Chapels, Grottos, Churches, Shrines and Basilicas.  Some people even have got the habit of reciting the Rosary quietly when they travel to their work places. This is called personal devotion! All these show how we, as Christians, are very much united with our sadguru Jesus and our ancestral Mother - kulmata Maria!

Recitation of Rosary

We begin the Rosary devotionally by making the sign of the Cross. Then the Apostles’ Creed is articulated profoundly. After this the Lord’s prayer (Our Father), Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father is recited prayerfully. Then, according to the days, the four mysteries of the Rosary, namely, Joyful, Light, Sorrowful and Glorious are recited meditatively. At the end of each mystery the Fatima Prayer is said – “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy” (Our Lady of Fatima, 13^th July 1917).

Finally we end the Rosary with the Hail, Holy Queen (Pranaam he Raani in Gujarati):

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 to 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.

Normally, the following prayer is added after the "Hail, Holy Queen":

Let us pray: O God, Whose Only-Begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life: grant, we beseech Thee, that by meditating upon these mysteries of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Besides these, at times the additional prayers are recited: namely, the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Memorare of St. Bernard.

Well, the above mentioned pattern is the normal pattern which we use for our Marian devotion of reciting the Rosary. Great practice indeed for years!

Less known Blessed Herman

In every Rosary, at the end of it we devoutly recite the prayer “Hail, Holy Queen”. Since this prayer is at the end, at times, we in a hurry recite this prayer verbally like a parrot! Do we really know who was the author of this prayer – “Hail, Holy Queen”? and what was the circumstance in which this prayer was written? Oh, if you know it, surely you will recite it with double devotion. This is the message I want to share with you. The author is none other than the less known Blessed Herman the Cripple!

· Person Herman

Herman was born in the year 1013 into royalty, the son of a duke of Altshausen. From birth, it was apparent that he would be horribly crippled and disfigured, earning him the less-than-pleasant name of “Hermannus Contractus” (or “Herman the Twisted”). Sources suggest that he was born with a cleft palate, cerebral palsy and spina bifida. Without assistance, he could not move, and could barely speak, but within his body was a keen mind and iron will.

· Fervent Formation

At the age of seven, Herman’s parents left him at the Benedictine monastery of Reichenau, southern Germany where they arranged for him to be raised and educated. Situated on the shores of Lake Constance, it was expected that this location would be ideal for Herman’s health, but also for his developing intellect. Abbot Berno, the monk who led the community, took Herman under his wing, educating him with kindness and compassion.

Despite his obvious intellect, Herman struggled to read and write at first, his physical limitations difficult to overcome. Once he mastered the basics, the academic world opened to him, and he impressed all with the breadth and depth of his subsequent studies. Not only did he immerse himself in the sciences, but also in languages, music and theology. Herman became fluent in Latin, Greek, and Arabic.

·         Wonderful Writer

Herman wrote extensively on mathematical and astronomical topics, as well as volumes on the history of the world. He was professed a monk at the age of 30, and continued to write, producing works of great spiritual depth. Of note, his treatise “On the Eight Principal Vices,” which he wrote in a poetic style.

Herman’s contributions to academics were great, as were his contributions to sacred tradition. He wrote many hymns which continue to be sung today, as well as portions of the Mass. His greatest contributions may be his hymns of devotion and love for Our Blessed Mother: Alma Redemptoris Mater and Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen). The confidence and hope we place in Mary is eloquently and simply captured in his writings.

·         Model Monk

More than his writings, however, Herman was known for his gentleness, joy, and sweet disposition. Never was he heard to complain, despite the fact that most activities were painful and difficult. Rather, he was recognized to have a smile for all, and became a beacon of hope and joy throughout the monastery. Students travelled great distances to study with him, learning not only their academic subjects but also strength of character, perseverance, and humility through his model.

·         Blessed Herman

Herman died at the young age of 40 on September 24, 1054, having succumbed to the symptoms of his many afflictions. He was beatified in 1863. He was a man who took joy in his struggles, and looked at each difficult day as an opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. Every time we pray the Holy Rosary, we end in prayer with Blessed Herman. The Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen) reminds us of our deep connection not only to Our Blessed Mother, but to all those who suffer physically and mentally alongside us in the world. His feast is on 25 September, less known to many!

Mentor’s Message

My humble message for you at this moment from the Marian Shrine of Unteshwari is:

·         Remember ever the Blessed Herman the Cripple, the author of the Hail, Holy Queen and pray for persons like him – the crippled and twisted persons throughout the month of May and even later whenever the Rosary is recited by you.

·         Draw inspirations from this physically and mentally challenged pious person of the 11^th century to face life with boldness and courage!

·        

Keep always the persons with disabilities in your prayers and stand at their side especially when they are in need! They need us and we need them! They are ours and we are theirs! We are basically the inter-dependent precious creations of God. With conviction let us immerse ourselves in the lives of such vulnerable persons and smell them. Then wash their feet like our Pope Francis, the Peoples’ Pastor! Then recite the Rosary. You will find greater meaning in loving and living!

·         Experience the different abilities of all types and categories of the disabled persons and get enhanced in their presence. It is worth praying for them and praying with them today and forever!

Conclusion

Bravo Blessed Herman! Truly you were HER Man – the Man of the Merciful Mother! Now we can feel with you and understand the context in which you were in need of her mercy and that triggered you to write this beautiful prayer - The Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen). Though today you are less known, henceforth we would like to remember you fondly whenever we recite the prayer “Hail, Holy Queen” at the end of the Rosary!  Kindly continue to intercede for us “the poor banished children of Eve”! Let your powerful intercession to Mary our Mother and the Mother of Jesus heal us the wounded and crippled humans of different kinds. Amen.

Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ

girishsj@jesuits.net

·         Watch this You tube just for 1.12 minutes. It’s worth watching on Blessed Herman the cripple! 



LISTEN TO THE SALVE REGINA AND REJOICE FOREVER!