About Today for Saturday in the 14th week of Ordinary Time or St. Henry, Hm or Blessed Virgin Mary

July 13

Saint Henry

Optional Memorial

St. Henry II lived from 972-1024. He was King of Germany and Italy and crowned Holy Roman Emperor, the last in the Ottonian (Saxon) dynasty. His education was steeped in ecclesiastical matters, giving him a compassionate heart for the Church and the common people. He felt a heavy responsibility for the good of the Church, which led him to involve himself in Church appointments in a way that later 11th century reformers would reject. He and his wife Kunegunda were very generous to the poor and to monasteries. He founded a cathedral and monastery in Bamberg. St. Henry was canonized in 1146/1152, the only German king to be venerated to sainthood. [1]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Catholicpedia: The Original Catholic Encyclopedia (1917) for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. s.v. “St. Henry II.”
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate this Saint as you worship Christ.