June 15
Saint Germaine Cousin
Laywoman, Virgin
(1579 – 1601)
“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.”
Saint Germaine Cousin
Click here for the Amazon page
or on the Book Cover Image above
Click here for the Amazon page
or on the Book Cover Image above
Saint’s Life Story
Sickly Child Without a Mother
She was born in 1579, in Pibrac, France, a village 9.3 miles (15 km) from Toulouse. Germaine was the daughter of Laurent Cousin, a farm worker, and his wife, Marie Laroche. Her mother died while she was still an infant. Germaine was sickly child who suffered scrofula among other conditions. She also had a her right hand was deformed.
Her Father Remarried and Started as a Shepherdess
Her father soon married again, but his second wife treated Germaine with much cruelty. After her stepmother’s children were born, Germaine was kept isolated from her siblings. She slept in the stable or in a cupboard under the stairs and was poorly fed on scraps. At the age of nine, Germaine was put to work as a shepherdess, which is not a terrible business for one who liked to pray.
Devout Youth
Germaine was very devout. Her only book was the Rosary which she rejoiced in reciting every day. Germaine refused to miss Mass. If she heard the bell calling the faithful to Mass while she was tending the sheep, she set her crook and her distaff in the earth, declared her flock to be under the care of her guardian angel, and went to church. Her sheep never came to any harm during her absences, even though ravening wolves inhabited the nearby forest of Boucône. It is reported that once she crossed the raging Courbet River by walking over the waters so that she could get to church.
Performed Works of Mercy
Germaine was so poor that it is hard to imagine she would have the resources to exercise the corporal works of mercy. Yet, love can always find a way. She shared what little food she received with those poorer than herself. Germaine’s burning love for God spilled over into love for her neighbors. She often gatherd the local children about her in the fields and taught them a simple catechism. She was always ready to lend a hand to anyone needing it.
Miraculous Wonders
The neighbors laughed at her religious devotion and called her ‘the little bigot’; Germaine took it all in good humor. Once in the winter, her stepmother accused her of stealing bread and pursued her threateningly with a stick. When Germaine opened her apron, summer flowers tumbled out. The neighbors and her parents were awed and began to treat her as a holy person. Her parents invited her to rejoin the household, but Germaine chose to continue living as before.
Her Death and Incorrupt Body
In 1601, at the age of 22 in Pibrac, France, she was found dead on her straw pallet under the stairs. Her body was buried in the Church of Pibrac opposite the pulpit. When it was accidentally exhumed in 1644 by workmen renovating the church and identified by the withered hand, it was found incorrupt. After being exposed for one year for veneration, her relics were transferred to a leaden coffin and placed in the sacristy.
Her Relics
Sixteen years later, her body was found to be still well preserved, and many miracles were attributed to her. Her relics remain in the church at Pibrac. An annual pilgrimage is made there. The process of canonization, begun in 1700, was delayed for Germaine because of the intervening French Revolution and similar problems. She was, however, successfully invoked by Popes Pius VII in 1813 and Pius IX in 1849.
Depicted in Art as Peasant Girl
In art, Saint Germaine is depicted as a peasant girl with flowers falling around her in winter. She might also be portrayed tending sheep or dying alone in poverty.
Incorrupy Body
Germaine wasn’t beatified until May 7, 1854 – 210 years after her incorrupt body had been found. Her Canonization finally took place on 29 June 29, 1867 by Pope Pius IX. Saint Germaine was forgotten, neglected and unloved for most of her life. Even after her death, it seemed that the Lord purposely kept her well-hidden. Most Catholics have never heard of her and that includes Religious and Priests. In our complex and fast-paced world, Germaine’s simplicity, charity and piety don’t seem to fit in anywhere.
Born: 1579 in Pibrac, France
Died: 1601 in Pibrac, France
Beatified: May 7, 1864 by Pope Blessed Pius IX
Canonized: June 29, 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX
Feast Day: June 15
Reflection
Saint Germaine Cousin lived a life of quiet suffering and hidden holiness. Born in 1579 in Pibrac, France, she endured physical disabilities, neglect, and mistreatment by her family. Yet, she responded not with bitterness, but with unwavering trust in God and tender charity toward others—especially the poor. Even as a young girl, Germaine attended daily Mass and entrusted herself completely to the Blessed Mother, offering her pain as a gift of love. Her simplicity did not diminish her sanctity; rather, it magnified it. Miracles followed her death, but it was her faith, humility, and forgiveness that shine most brightly in the memory of the Church.
In the hidden or difficult places of my life, how can I respond with the quiet faith and forgiving heart of Saint Germaine Cousins?
Prayers
Saint Germaine Cousin,
You who suffered neglect and abuse so patiently, help us to imitate your virtues during our earthly life and enjoy eternal happiness with you in heaven.
Look down from Heaven and intercede for the many abused children in our world.
Strengthen children who suffer the effects of living in broken families.
Protect those children who have been abandoned by their parents and live in the streets.
Beg God’s mercy on the parents who abuse their children.
Saint Germaine Cousin, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
A Dictionary Of Saintly Women, Volume 1 by Agnes B. C. Dunbar – St Germana
Aleteia – Meet a “Cinderella saint,” a powerful intercessor for abused children
All Saints & Martyrs -Saint Germaine Cousin
Angelus News – Saint of the day: St Germaine Cousin
Catholic Exchange – St Germaine Cousin
Catholic Exchange – A Patron Saint for Abused Children
Catholic Fire – St. Germaine Cousin: Patron of People with Disabilities and Victims of Abuse
Catholic Ireland – St Germaine Cousin of Pibrac (1579-1601)
Catholic News Agency – St. Germaine Cousin Feast Day: Jun 15
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – Germaine Cousin – by Katherine I Rabenstein
Dynamic Catholic – Saint Germaine of Pibrac
Editions Magnificat – Saint Germaine Cousin Virgin (1579-1601)
Our Lady of the Rosary Library – Saint Germaine
Saint for a Minute – Saint Germaine Cousin
Saints for Sinners – Saint Germaine Cousin
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint Germaine of Pibrac (1579-1601)
The Saint Challenge – St. Germaine Cousin – June 15
The Saints Project – St Germaine Cousin
Video Link
St Germaine Cousin – YouTube (Fr Mark Goring)