Saint Caesarea of Otranto

Biography

Saint Germaine Cousin, also known as Germaine of Pibrac or Germana, was born in 1579 in Pibrac, France. She was the daughter of Laurent Cousin, a farm worker, and Marie Laroche. Sadly, Germaine's mother passed away when she was just an infant. As a child, Germaine suffered from scrofula, a type of tuberculosis that affects the lymph nodes. This illness left her weak and vulnerable. In addition, her right hand was deformed. Despite her difficulties, Germaine's spirit remained unshaken. Tragically, Germaine was largely ignored by her father and mistreated by her step-family. She endured a harsh upbringing, often being forced to sleep in the stable or in a cupboard under the stairs. She was fed on scraps, and was physically abused, sometimes being beaten or scalded with hot water for perceived misdeeds. At the age of nine, Germaine was placed into the role of a shepherdess. During her lonely hours tending to the flock, she found solace in prayer. She would often use a homemade rosary made from a knotted string. Germaine's devotion to her faith was unwavering. She never missed attending Mass, and if she heard the church bell announcing services, she would set her crook and her distaff in the ground, declare her flock to be under the care of her guardian angel, and make her way to church. Remarkably, her sheep remained unharmed during her absences. There are accounts of Germaine's extraordinary abilities throughout her life. It is said that on one occasion, she crossed the raging Courbet River by walking over the waters in order to attend church. Despite her poverty, Germaine always exhibited compassion towards others, especially children. She would often gather them in the fields to teach them a simple catechism and share whatever little food she had. Unfortunately, her religious devotion and acts of kindness were met with ridicule from the locals, who referred to her as 'the little bigot'. Even in the depths of winter, Germaine's faith and resilience were put to the test. Her stepmother, Hortense, accused her of stealing bread and threatened to beat her with a stick. However, when Germaine opened her apron, summer flowers miraculously tumbled out instead of stolen bread. Witnessing this apparent miracle, her parents and neighbors were awed and began treating her as a holy person. Despite these changes, Germaine chose to continue living in poverty and isolation. In 1601, Germaine was found dead on her straw pallet under the stairs in her parents' home. She was buried in the Church of Pibrac, opposite the pulpit. In 1644, during a renovation, her body was accidentally exhumed and found to be incorrupt. However, during the French Revolution, her casket was desecrated by an anti-Catholic tinsmith named Toulza, who removed her remains and buried them in the sacristy, using quick-lime and water. After the revolution, her body was discovered to be still intact, except for the erosion caused by the quick-lime. The reports of miracles and extraordinary graces attributed to Saint Germaine number over 400. These include remarkable cures of blindness, both congenital and resulting from diseases, as well as healings of hip and spinal diseases. One notable miracle occurred in 1845 when food was miraculously multiplied for the distressed community of the Good Shepherd in Bourges, France. Saint Germaine Cousin is represented in various forms such as a girl with a distaff, a girl with a sheep, a girl with a shepherd's crook, a girl with a watchdog, a girl with flowers in her apron, a peasant girl dying alone in poverty, a peasant girl tending sheep, and a peasant girl with flowers falling around her in winter. She is venerated as a post-Congregation saint, and her feast day is celebrated on June 15th. Saint Germaine was beatified on May 29, 1854, by Pope Blessed Pius IX, and canonized on June 29, 1867, by the same pope. She is considered the patron saint of abandoned people, abuse victims, those suffering from bodily illnesses, the impoverished, the sick, disabled individuals, young country girls, and those who have experienced loss and abuse. Saint Germaine Cousin's life serves as an inspiration of faith, resilience, and kindness in the face of adversity.