St. Hermann Contractus was born in Altshausen, Swabian, on February 18, 1013. He was born crippled and needed assistance to get around. He struggled terribly to learn to read and write, but he didn't give up and soon his incredible brilliance and iron determination were apparent.

When Count Wolverad II discovered his son's brilliance of intellect, he sent him to live with Benedictine monks on the island of Reichenau in Southern Germany when he was seven.

After taking his monastic vows in 1043, he spent the rest of his life on the island. Though he was known much for his purity and monastic virtues, students from all across Europe came to the island monastery to learn from him.

Hermann composed the hymns to the Virgin Mary, Salve Regina and Alma Redemptoris Mater, and he also wrote a chronicle of the first millennium of Christianity. He was also a mathematician, astronomer, and poet.

On September 21, 1054, he passed away on the island.

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