St. Henry

Their story

Henry was born in 973, the son of the Duke of Bavaria, in Germany. As a boy he was educated by St. Wolfgang, the bishop of Regensburg, who helped form him in faith and virtue. He became Duke of Bavaria, then King of Germany in 1002, and in 1014 the pope crowned him Holy Roman Emperor. He married Cunegunde, who is also honored as a saint. They had no children. Henry took seriously his duty as a Christian ruler. He supported the reform of the Church, encouraged good bishops and generous monasteries, and was known for his care for the poor. He founded the diocese of Bamberg and built its cathedral, where he and Cunegunde are buried. Like other rulers of his time he fought wars, but he also worked to bring peace and justice to his lands. A story tells that Henry once asked to become a monk at the abbey of Verdun. The abbot accepted him and then, as his superior, ordered him in obedience to go back and continue governing the empire for the good of the people. Henry obeyed. He died on July 13, 1024, and was canonized in 1146. He is a patron of Benedictine oblates, of rulers, and of those who long for children but cannot have them.