April 4: Saint Joseph Hermann, Confessor

Utinam dirigantur viae meae ad custodiendas justificationes tuas. ps. 118.
I want to direct all of my paths according to the rule of your decrees.
Diseamus a Jesu quia mitis est et humilis corde : ne magnus videlicet Deus sine causa fit factus homo pavus : ne gratis mortuus, ne in vanism Crucifixus. S. Bern. Serm. 3. Sup. missus.
We learn of Jesus Christ that He is gentle and humble-hearted: out of fear that God could have made man without a raison d'etre, that He had died for nothing, and that His crucifixion was in vain.

Example: Saint Joseph Hermann, by his submission to the Will of God, rendered the Mystery of our Redemption accessible to himself and to countless others. At the age of seven, in a state of extreme poverty, he dedicated himself to his studies and, more importantly, to the service of Mary, Mother of God. One day the Virgin took him by the right hand and led him to a church where he joined the company of the Child Jesus and young John the Baptist. She then showed him a precious stone, the value of which would enable him to subsist in his indigence. At thirteen, he entered into the Premonstratensian order. The Virgin gave him the name of Joseph and blessed him with the qualities of her spouse. She comforted him in his struggles, particularly when he was distraught that he was not able to dedicate as much time as he felt necessary to prayer because of his exterior obligations, she assured him that aiding one's neighbor is more pleasing to God than long prayers. He exhaled a wonderful perfume when he invoked the name of Mary. In the unbearable cold, Jesus and Mary held his hands to warm him.

Practice: These divine caresses are the fruit of his perfect submission to the Will of God. Lover of God, know that God does not look down favorably upon the sort of man who could care less about conforming himself to Him -- one who break His commandments and twists His counsel. Render yourself accommodating to Christ Crucified by conforming entirely to His Holy Will. I assure you that you will receive one thousand favors from Him, and that your days will be joyful.