St. Henry
Saint Henry
Saint Henry II
When they lived:
Saint Henry II, also known as Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor, lived from May 6, 973, to July 13, 1024. He was a significant figure in the medieval period.
Where they lived:
Henry II lived primarily in the Holy Roman Empire, which encompassed parts of modern-day Germany, Austria, Italy, and Czech Republic. His influence extended over much of Central Europe.
Notable world events during the time of their life:
- The Battle of Clontarf (1014): This pivotal battle in Ireland saw the forces of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland, face off against the Norse-Gaelic army and marked a turning point in Irish history, reducing the influence of Viking powers in the region.
- The Great Schism (1054): Although this event happened after Henry II’s death, the tensions leading to the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches were growing during his time. This schism eventually resulted in the creation of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
- The Investiture Controversy: This conflict between the Holy Roman Emperors and the Papacy, particularly during the reign of Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand), had a significant impact on the power dynamics between secular and religious authorities in medieval Europe. It highlighted the struggle for control over ecclesiastical appointments and had broader implications for the separation of church and state.
- The Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries): Although the height of Viking raids and conquests was earlier, the aftermath of their activities, including the establishment of settlements and trade routes, influenced the political and cultural landscape of Europe during Henry II’s time.
- Advancements in Scholarship: The medieval period was marked by a resurgence of learning, and notable scholars like Gerbert of Aurillac (Pope Sylvester II) were influential in reintroducing scientific knowledge and fostering intellectual growth during this era.
Their patronage:
Saint Henry II is a patron saint of the childless, of the handicapped, and of those who have lost parents. His devotion to justice, charity, and the welfare of his people makes him an inspiring figure for those seeking guidance in their personal challenges and seeking the well-being of their communities. His legacy also serves as a reminder of the important role that leaders can play in promoting social justice and religious tolerance.
Early Life
The story is about a rare occasion in history where an emperor achieved sainthood. Born on May 6, 972, to Henry the Duke of Bavaria and Gisela, daughter of Conrad, king of Burgundy, in Bavaria, Germany,
St. Henry, also known as Henry 11 (second), received an excellent and spiritual education from his wealthy nobility under St. Wolfgang, bishop of Ratisbon at Hildesheim, at a very young age. During his years of formation, he learned more about God and developed personal devotion.
St. Henry was to succeed his father as Duke of Bavaria when he died in 995. He had wanted a quiet life of devotion in service to God, but the circumstances of his life had a different path for him.
Journey to Leadership
In the year 1002, six years after St. Henry became the Duke of Bavaria, his cousin Otto 11, the King of Germany, suddenly died from a severe fever at the young age of 21, leaving no child behind as he was yet to be married.
With no clear line of succession in place caused by Otto’s sudden death and the lack of an heir, Germany found itself in a leadership crisis with many contenders vying to be the next king of Germany. Among the powerful contenders were; Count Ezzo of Lotharingia, Duke Herman 11 ofSwabia, Margraue Eckard 1 of Meissen.
After a protracted battle for the next king, St. Henry, supported by the Bishop of Augsburg, succeeded his cousin King Otto 11 as the new king of Germany.
Becoming an Emperor
St. Henry, guided by eternal truth and daily meditation practice, was not carried away by the power and dignity of his position as king. In all things, he sought the greater glory of God and was most watchful over the welfare of the church. His zeal for the maintenance of ecclesiastical discipline in the church was unrivaled.
Henry’s fame spread at home and abroad, and so his humility. He gained several victories over his enemies but used them with great moderation and clemency. On February 14, 1014, Pope Benedict V crowned him emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. St. Henry traveled to Rome, Italy, where he received the imperial crown at the Pope’s hands.
Fatherhood and Legacy
St. Henry got married to his wife, Cunegunda, the daughter of Palatine Siegfried of Luxembourg, in 999. Both didn’t aspire to it, but because their parents wanted it, it is a duty for a duke to be married equally to another powerful family.
St. Henry and his wife Cunegunda, also a saint, in mutual agreement, took the vow of perpetual chastity and never consummated their marriage, thus never having a child. It was unheard of that a legally married noble couple would choose not to have a child but live out the rest of their days in dedication to the service of God despite their marital and positional responsibilities.
St. Henry made numerous pious foundations; he gave liberally to holy institutions and founded and built the cathedral of Bamberg in 1006, dedicated by Pope Benedict V111 in 1020. St. Henry’s humility and spirit of justice were equal to his zeal for religion.
Death
Like all mortals, St. Henry departed the earth after being ill for awhile in the year 1024 at the age of 52. St. Henry’s death occurred in Göttingen, Germany. Pope Eugene 111 canonized him in 1146, 112 years after his death. His feast day is July 13.
St. Henry is known as the patron of the childless, of Dukes, of the handicapped, those rejected by the religious order, and Benedictine oblates.
References:
[http://www.sainthenrys.org/CatholicChurch/StHenr]{.ul}y
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cunigunde_of_Luxembourg]{.ul}
[https://www.amazon.com/Lives-Saints-Every-Day-Year/dp/B000HTMSTK]{.ul}
5 Interesting Facts About St. Henry
- St. Henry was the only Holy Roman Emperor to become a saint. Indeed,
He was a different kind of emperor. - St. Henry was a king that had a king (how else would you explain his
obedience to God and the church? - Did you know that St. Henry and his wife, St. Cunegunda, hold the
only imperial couple ever canonized? - If you didn’t know, the Ottoman Empire ended with St. Henry. He was
the last king of the Ottoman Empire, Germany - The saint’s humility is top-notch. He once cast himself at the feet of
of Herebert, Bishop of Cologne, and begged his pardon for treating
him with coldness over a misunderstanding.
Prayer to St. Henry
Lord, You filled saint Henry with your love and raised him from the cares of an earthly kingdom to eternal happiness in heaven in the midst of the changes of this world. May his prayers keep us free from sin and help us on our way towards you through Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Source:[https://prayers4reparation.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/prayer-to-saint-henry/]{.ul}
