Day: June 18, 2023

Saint of the Day – 18 June – Blessed Hermann of Floreffe O.Praem (Early 12th Century- 1193) Abbot, the 4th Abbot of Floreffe Abbey in Belguim (the same which **St Istfrid restored) and Canon of the Premonstratensians or Norbertines.

Blessed Hermann was born in the early 12th century in Germany. He joined the Premonstratensians which is also called the Norbertines after its founder, Saint Norbert of Xanten (ca. 1080-1134), or White Canon after the colour of the Order’s Habit. He became a Canon in their Monastery Floreffe near Namur in present-day Belgium. As one of the first Premonstratensian Abbeys, Floreffe was among the Order ‘s Primarii inter pares, or ‘Senior’ houses.

In 1173, Hermann was elected the fourth Abbot of Floreffe, a position he held for twenty years until his death. He was a pious and wise man who was very famous. Count Henrik of Namur chose him as his Confessor. Henrik so admired Him and the Monastery that he had a new Monastery Church built for our saint.

Hermann is also credited with a miraculous spring which springs up at the Church’s main portal. The water from this spring has cured many of the sick and lame and continues to do so.

During Hermann’s time as Abbot of Floreffe, the Monastery was severely damaged due to the war between Count Baudoin of Hainaut and Count Henrik of Namur. The community had to live scattered for six months. The holy Bishop **St Isfrid of Ratzeburg visited the Monastery after this catastrophe and assisted Hermann in the restoration work and succeeded in gathering the scattered Monks. St Istfrid also Consecrated the new Monastery Church in 1190.

After twenty years of fruitful labour, Abbot Hermann died in 1193. In Floreffe, a picture has been preserved that depicts him as blessed, with a spring at his feet. He is honoured as Blessed by the Premonstratensians with a memorial day on 18 June.

**We celebrated St Isfrid on the 15th – his life here: https://anastpaul.com/2022/06/15/saint-of-the-day-15-june-saint-isfrid-of-ratzeburg-o-praem-c-1115-1204/