Saint Henry the Emperor (1024)

The greatest of all the many saints named Henry is Saint Henry II, the Roman Emperor. He was a disciple of Saint Wolfgang, whose feast is October 31. He was the husband of the illustrious Saint Cunegunda, whose feast is March 3. Saint Henry the Emperor lived from 972 to 1024. He was fifty two years old when he died. He was one of the great supporters of the Benedictine Order. Numberless Benedictine monasteries were built or restored by him. He himself wanted to become a Benedictine, but it was his destiny to become a king. Saint Pius X declared him the patron saint of all the Oblates of the Benedictine Order. Saint Henry and his wife, Saint Cunegunda, lived in perpetual chastity during the whole of their married life. Though a king and a queen, he lived like a monk and she like a nun.

Saint Henry, photograph by Father Lawrence Lew, OP (source)

Saint Henry, stained glass by Capronnier in St Stephen’s Catholic Church, Skipton,
photograph by Father Lawrence Lew, OP (source)