06/15/2022 – Feast of Germaine Cousin

Today is the feast of Germaine Cousin.

Germaine’s mother died shortly after she was born. Her father married to give her a mother but instead her step mother abused Germaine till her death at 22 years of age. The litany of abuse is heartbreaking and ranged from starvation to outright attacks on Germaine. As the family grew, Germaine’s step siblings joined in the abuse to their mother’s amusement. Germaine was eventually kicked out of the house and lived in a barn without even a blanket in winter.

“Germaine was soon entrusted with the sheep. No one expected her to have any use for education so she spent long days in the field tending the sheep. Instead of being lonely, she found a friend in God. She didn’t know any theology and knew only the basics of the faith that she had learned at catechism. But she had a rosary made of knots in string and her very simple prayers: “Dear God, please don’t let me be too hungry or too thirsty. Help me to please my mother. And help me to please you.” Out of that simple faith, grew a profound holiness and a deep trust of God.”

Germaine attended Mass and received the Holy Eucharist every morning. When the bells rang she would entrust her flock to the Good Shepherd and run to the Chapel. No sheep ever strayed while she was at prayer.

Receiving Jesus and praying the rosary daily, Germaine in a miracle of grace was able to turn the rejection and cruelty that she suffered into forgiveness and reparation.