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St. Henry

St. Henry

St. Henry

Feastday: July 13
Patron of the childless, of Dukes, of the handicapped and those rejected by Religious Order
Died: 1024

St. Henry, son of Henry, Duke of Bavaria, and of Gisella, daughter of Conrad, King of Burgundy, was born in 972. He received an excellent education under the care of St. Wolfgang, Bishop of Ratisbon. In 995, St. Henry succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria, and in 1002, upon the death of his cousin, Otho III, he was elected emperor. Firmly anchored upon the great eternal truths, which the practice of meditation kept alive in his heart, he was not elated by this dignity and sought in all things, the greater glory of God. He was most watchful over the welfare of the Church and exerted his zeal for the maintenance of ecclesiastical discipline through the instrumentality of the Bishops. He gained several victories over his enemies, both at home and abroad, but he used these with great moderation and clemency. In 1014, he went to Rome and received the imperial crown at the hands of Pope Benedict VIII. On that occasion he confirmed the donation, made by his predecessors to the Pope, of the sovereignty of Rome and the exarchate of Ravenna. Circumstances several times drove the holy Emperor into war, from which he always came forth victorious. He led an army to the south of Italy against the Saracens and their allies, the Greeks, and drove them from the country. The humility and spirit of justice of the Saint were equal to his zeal for religion. He cast himself at the feet of Herebert, Bishop of Cologne, and begged his pardon for having treated him with coldness, on account of a misunderstanding. He wished to abdicate and retire into a monastery, but yielded to the advice of the Abbot of Verdun, and retained his dignity. Both he and his wife, St. Cunegundes, lived in perpetual chastity, to which they had bound themselves by vow. The Saint made numerous pious foundations, gave liberally to pious institutions and built the Cathedral of Bamberg. His holy death occurred at the castle of Grone, near Halberstad, in 1024. His feast day is July 13th. He is the patron saint of the childless, of Dukes, of the handicapped and those rejected by Religious Order.

 
from Wikipedia

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St. Henry
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1 - 20 of 27 Comments

  1. Tyler
    2 months ago

    Dear Saint Henry II, I am having my confirmation this year and having you as my saint name. Please pray for me and my family for the support we need. I respect what you have done. Amen.

  2. bman
    3 months ago

    interesting article indeed

  3. Kokkeragadda.Bhaskara Rao
    4 months ago

    Dear St.Henry, please pray for me and for my family to live a life of a perfect Christian and I implore your blessings in times of hardships in our endeavour to join Jesus.May your life be a role model for our journey as you utilised your power of kinghip and with the co-operation of the princess(your spouse) for the betterment of our Catholic Faith.

  4. mayet
    5 months ago

    Dear St. Henry, Please pray for me and my husband for having a baby..Amen

  5. Breda
    10 months ago

    I would love it if the pictures were referenced so that we could go and see the real thing!

  6. noreen
    10 months ago

    Our son told us today, July 13th, that the name of our new grandson expected November 4, 2012 will be Jefferson Henry ----. Looked up saint henry and discovered today is his feast day. Coincidence or the Lord?

  7. Joseph Mathew
    10 months ago

    St. Henry, Your holy lifestyle made you a magnificient emperor before the world and an obedient subject before God! Please pray for us.

  8. Justin J.
    10 months ago


    I remembered my Alma Mater St. Henry's College, Ilavalai, Sri Lanka where I studied for 3 years. Now only I came to know about his life story and he was a historial and pius and very charitable and also victorious Emperor by God's grace. St. Henry pray for us. Thanks to Catholic on line inspiring website. God Bless. Shalom.

  9. ATSUA
    10 months ago

    st henry,pls pray for me,for spiritual growth,blessings,protction and God`s wisdom.

  10. christie
    10 months ago

    St. Henry pray for the improvement of all my students in the academic field. Give us humility in dealing with proud parents.
    Amen.

  11. Joanne
    1 year ago

    I neva knew anything about st. Henry. I am so happy to read this article.

  12. Ramon Velez, Jr.
    1 year ago

    I'm interested in obtaining a statue of St. Henry the Emperor.

  13. henry nwagazue
    1 year ago

    am happy to learn about the saint i am named after in baptism. may God give me the grace to follow his footstep. AMEN. THERE SAINT HENRY PRAY FOR ME IN THIS PERIOD OF MY LIFE. AND MAY GUIDE ME AND LEAD ME AS I CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY TOMMOROW. AMEN

  14. Denise J
    1 year ago

    Didn't even know about St. Henry - but as a handicapped and childless person, I realize he can be my patron saint!! Nice to see someone saintly in the exercise of power, not being corrupted by it!!

  15. Thomas Ashua
    1 year ago

    St. Henry,pray for all those that are looking for the fruit of the womb so that the joy of marriage will be complete in their live IJN.Amen.

  16. Joseph Mathew
    1 year ago

    Dear St. Henry, Please pray for me to discern and obey the will of God in all things!

  17. Joseph santiago CMF
    1 year ago

    He encouraged and people in their missionary activities ;he st up many dioceses and founded monasteries. He had power and wealth. he made use of the earthly goods to receive the heavenly graces from God. he had the heart to make of the wealth towards the spiritual life of the people.Good Man. He was a wise man.

  18. christie
    1 year ago

    I'm delighted to have read this article on the holy and humble life of St. Henry. It is truly a life in which a great emperor could see his God's calling first and put it well before his exalted status in civil life. Both the emperor and his empress were declared saints of the Catholic Church. St Henry you are the patron saint the handicapped. I recommend to you my beloved grandson, for his full recovery. And a life of great success in overcoming his fragile X condition.

  19. Henry Oyao
    1 year ago

    I have heard already the name of St. Henry. But i dont remember his feast day, thanks to my sister in my community who reminds me about him. St. Henry pray for us! henry from Virgen de Regla Parish, Lapu-lapu Cebu, Philippines.

  20. D Paul
    2 years ago

    I also want to buy an outdoor statue of St. Henry. I have done extensive searches on the internet. I am unable to find. Can anyone help?


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