Saint Engelbert of Cologne

Saint Engelbert of Cologne, also known as Engelbert of Berg, was born around 1185 in Berg, Germany. He came from a noble family, the son of Count Engelbert of Berg and Margaret, the daughter of the Count of Gelderland. Engelbert received his education at the cathedral school in Cologne, where he showed promise and intellect. At a young age, he was appointed provost of churches in Cologne and Aachen, and eventually became the provost of the Cologne Cathedral at just 14 years old. However, during his youth, Engelbert led a worldly and dissolute life, known for his good looks, sharp mind, and wild ways. In 1206, Engelbert joined his cousin, Archbishop Adolf, in a war against Archbishop Bruno and even threatened to attack the Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV. As a result, both Engelbert and Adolf were excommunicated. Realizing the seriousness of his actions, Engelbert publicly submitted to the pope's authority in 1208 and was received back into the Church. In 1212, Engelbert fought against the Albigensians, a heretical religious sect, and in 1216, he was chosen as the archbishop of Cologne. By this time, Engelbert had matured to some extent and began to care deeply about his see. However, he still had worldly ambitions and was determined to preserve the possessions and revenues of his see and the countship of Berg. To protect his lands, Engelbert engaged in wars with the Duke of Limburg and the Count of Cleves, restored civil order, demanded the allegiance of his nobles, and erected defenses around his territories. He even went as far as prosecuting family members when necessary. Despite these efforts, he also enforced clerical discipline, helped establish the Franciscans in his diocese in 1219 and the Dominicans in 1221, and built monasteries while insisting on strict observance. In 1221, Emperor Frederick II appointed Engelbert as the guardian of the young King Henry VII and the administrator of the Holy Roman Empire. Engelbert supervised the kingdom and the education of the king and personally placed the crown on Henry's head during his coronation in 1222. He also worked towards establishing a favorable treaty with Denmark at the Diet of Nordhausen in September 1223. Although Engelbert was loved by his people for the stability and security he brought to the region, many of the nobility held a deep hatred and fear for him. As a result, Engelbert was forced to travel with a troupe of bodyguards to ensure his protection. Pope Honorius III and Emperor Frederick II advised Engelbert to assist and protect the nuns of Essen, who were being oppressed by Engelbert's own cousin, Count Frederick of Isenberg. In an attempt to prevent the archbishop from intervening, Count Frederick and his accomplices ambushed Engelbert on the road from Soest to Schwelm on the evening of 7 November 1225. They stabbed him 47 times, resulting in his martyrdom. Engelbert died defending the religious sisters, becoming a martyr for the faith. Saint Engelbert of Cologne is often depicted in art as an archbishop holding a crosier in one hand and an upraised sword piercing a crescent moon in the other. He is also sometimes represented blessing his killers. Though he was not officially canonized, Cardinal Conrad von Urach proclaimed him a venerated martyr on 24 February 1226, and Archbishop Ferdinand confirmed this in 1618. Saint Engelbert is listed in the Roman Martyrology. Engelbert's relics were translated to the old cathedral of Cologne on 24 February 1226. While he does not have a specific patronage assigned to him, Saint Engelbert of Cologne is remembered and honored on his feast day, which falls on 7 November. His life serves as an example of holiness, conversion, and dedication to the Church despite his earlier worldly pursuits.