IN TODAY’S LIVES OF THE SAINTS AND MARTYRS, A HOLY ROMAN EMPEROR

Winchester, VA – Born in 973 in Bavaria, Saint Henry II was the son of nobility, but lived his early life in exile, so he turned to the Church and was educated at the cathedral school of Hildesheim. He reigned first as Duke of Bavaria, then King of Germany, then King of Italy, and finally as Holy Roman Emperor for 10 years. He was married to Cunigunde of Luxembourg, but they had no children. It is rumored that they lived a Josephite marriage. Desiring to become a monk, he ordered the Abbot of Verdun to accept him into his monastery, which he did. The abbot of Verdun then ordered Henry, by virtue of his newly professed vows to return to managing his kingdom, which he did in a spirit of humility and service. Saint Henry II, pray for us!