St. Germaine of Pibrac, Patron of the Disabled
Germaine was the daughter of Laurent Cousin, a farm worker, and Marie Laroche. She was born in the village of Pibrac in southern France near Toulouse in 1579. Her mother died soon after her birth. She had a paralyzed right arm and suffered from ugly swellings on her neck, which were probably tubercular in origin, but were referred to as "scrofula" at that time. Germaine's father remarried and the stepmother was abusive. She was often forced to sleep in the stable or in a cupboard under the stairs, was fed on scraps, beaten or scalded with hot water for misdeeds, real or imagined. She was also isolated from her healthier brothers and sisters. As soon as she was old enough, she was sent out to the field to care for the sheep. Germaine never complained, but practiced the presence of God, speaking to him as she minded the sheep. She had a great rapport with younger children, who seemed more accepting of her deformities, and she gave them simple instruction in the faith. Sh...