Saint Henry II

Biography

Saint Henry II, also known as Good King Henry, was born on May 6, 972, in Albach, Hildesheim, Bavaria, Germany. He was the son of Gisella of Burgundy and Henry II the Quarrelsome, Duke of Bavaria. Henry was raised in a devout Catholic household and received his education at the cathedral school in Hildesheim, where he was mentored by Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg. Initially, Henry had aspirations of becoming a priest. However, upon his father's death in 995, he had to abandon these plans and assume the role of Duke of Bavaria. Despite this change of course, Henry remained deeply committed to his faith and continued to foster spiritual growth throughout his life. In 1002, Henry ascended to the throne of Germany, marking the beginning of his reign as King Henry II. He proved to be a dedicated ruler, working tirelessly to establish a stable peace in Europe and protect the frontiers of his kingdom. Throughout his reign, he founded schools, suppressed rebellions, and sought to reform the Church while respecting its independence. On May 15, 1004, Henry was crowned the King of Pavia, Italy. This title added to his already impressive list of achievements as a ruler. However, it was not just through political endeavors that Henry sought to make a positive impact on the world. Henry was a fervent supporter of missions and saw the need to reach out to the Slavic countries. As a result, he established Bamberg, Germany, as a center for missions to these regions. He also played a significant role in the construction of the cathedral at Basel, Switzerland, despite it taking nearly 400 years to complete. Henry married Saint Cunegunda, but the couple did not have any children. While there are claims that they lived celibately, there is no irrefutable evidence to support this. Nevertheless, both Henry and Cunegunda were known for their prayerful lives and their generosity towards the poor. Throughout his reign, Henry faced various challenges, including a rebellion by his own brother. However, Henry was a forgiving individual and, despite defeating his brother on the battlefield, he eventually forgave him and the two reconciled. In 1014, Pope Benedict VIII crowned Henry Holy Roman Emperor, making him the last of the Saxon dynasty of emperors. This event, along with his unwavering dedication to the advancement of God's kingdom, highlights Henry's significant influence within both the religious and political realms. Henry's devotion to his faith is further evident in an incident where he was cured of an unnamed illness by the touch of Saint Benedict of Nursia at Monte Cassino. However, as he grew older, Henry became somewhat lame. After the death of his beloved wife, Cunegunda, Henry considered becoming a monk. However, his application to the abbot of Saint-Vanne at Verdun, France was refused. The abbot encouraged him to remain in the world, recognizing the good he could accomplish for people and the advancement of God's kingdom from his current position. Saint Henry II died on July 13, 1024, at Pfalz Grona, near Göttingen, Saxony, in modern Germany. He passed away of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy of devotion, reform, and service to both God and his people. Saint Henry II was canonized by Pope Blessed Eugene III in 1146, recognizing his exemplary life and the impact he had on the Church and society. He is honored as the patron saint against sterility and is particularly venerated in Bamberg, Germany, where he is the patron saint of the diocese and the city. He is also a patron saint of Basel, Switzerland, Benedictine Oblates, childless people, disabled people, dukes, handicapped people, kings, and those rejected by religious orders. Saint Henry II's feast day is celebrated on July 13th each year.