ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY
Saints celebrated on the 19th of January
VENERABLE HERMANN COHEN, CARMELITE PRIEST
On November 10, 1820 Hermann Cohen was born of wealthy Jewish parents in Hamburg, Germany.
At a very early age he revealed an unusual talent for music and improvisation.
He became the most outstanding pupil of Franz Liszt.
A CONCERT PIANIST
He became a concert pianist of European fame visiting all the cities of Europe, including London, giving brilliant concerts and always receiving a standing ovation.
He composed some brilliant piano pieces – two of which were a long waltz called ‘The Banks of the Elbe’ and a ‘Fantasie’ reminiscent of Verdi’s Lombardi.
At 15 he became a professor of music at the Conservatoire de Musique, Geneva.
A PASSION FOR GAMBLING
He developed a passion for gambling which consumed him for long periods of time.
HE RECEIVED THE GIFT OF FAITH INSTANTLY - LIKE ST PAUL THE APOSTLE
He was invited to conduct a Festival Choir in a Catholic church in Paris. During Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament he received the gift of Faith instantly – like St Paul the Apostle.
He became a Catholic and a Carmelite priest.
He was invited to England to restore the Carmelite Order.
HIS WORK IN ENGLAND
He was sent to England by Pope Pius IX with these words: ‘I send you to England as one of my predecessors sent the monk Augustine.’
He became the first Prior of the Carmelite Priory, Kensington, London and began a musical tradition which still exists.
He composed a ‘Mass’ in thanksgiving for his conversion to Christ which is sung from time to time in the Priory church on Sunday mornings by the famous Carmelite Choir under the direction of John McCarthy.
[He died on January 19, 1871, after having caught smallpox from prisoners he ministered to.]
From a booklet entitled “The Story of Hermann Cohen” by Antonine Newman O.C.D.
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