Saint Henry II
Stored in Cargo: Saint Henry II
| Saint Henry II | |
| Feast Day | July 13 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Bavaria, childless couples, kings |
| Birthplace | Bad Abbach, Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Pfalz Grona, Lower Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes (illness) |
| Primary Shrine | Bamberg Cathedral, Bamberg, Germany |
Saint Henry II (973 AD – 1024 AD) was a German king and Holy Roman Emperor, renowned for his piety and Church support. Born in Bad Abbach, Bavaria, he became emperor in 1002 AD, founding the Bamberg diocese and promoting reforms. Canonized in 1146 AD by Pope Eugene III, he is venerated for his Christian governance.[1]
Henry is the patron saint of Bavaria, childless couples, and kings, with his feast day on 13 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, his relics at Bamberg Cathedral draw pilgrims. His legacy endures in German Christianity.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Henry II was born on 6 May 973 AD in Bad Abbach, Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire, to Duke Henry II of Bavaria.[1] Bavaria’s Christian heritage shaped his faith. His mother, Gisela, ensured a religious education.
His noble birth prepared him for leadership.[3]
Early Life
Henry was educated by Bishop Wolfgang of Regensburg, fostering piety.[4] Crowned king in 1002 AD, he married Cunigunde, both remaining childless. As emperor, he supported Church reforms, combating simony.
He founded the Bamberg diocese in 1007 AD, strengthening Christianity.[5]
Occupation
Henry was a king and Holy Roman Emperor.[1] Ruling from 1002 to 1024 AD, he unified the empire, supported missions, and endowed churches. His governance balanced secular and spiritual duties.
His reforms bolstered ecclesiastical discipline.[6]
Vocation
Henry’s religious vocation was expressed through Christian governance.[1] Crowned emperor in 1014 AD by Pope Benedict VIII, he viewed rule as a divine calling. He and Cunigunde supported monasteries and missions.
His piety influenced imperial policy, fostering Church unity.[7]
Death
Henry died on 13 July 1024 AD in Pfalz Grona, Lower Saxony, from illness, aged 51.[1] He passed in his palace, surrounded by nobles. The empire mourned his death.
Buried in Bamberg Cathedral, his relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Bad Abbach, Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire
Death location: Pfalz Grona, Lower Saxony, Holy Roman Empire
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Henry II |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Henry’s sainthood process began post-1024 AD, predating formal structures.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his piety affirmed sanctity. Chronicles documented his reign.
Venerable
Henry was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His Christian governance affirmed virtue. German clergy ensured his status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Henry did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] His veneration bypassed such stages. Bamberg honored him with a feast day by the 11th century.
This aligns with early saints.[3]
Canonization
Henry was canonized in 1146 AD by Pope Eugene III.[1] His feast day of 13 July was set. No miracles were required; his piety sufficed.
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Henry was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on governance. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Henry’s canonization.[1] His Christian rule sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early saints.[5]
Other notable miracles
Patronage
Saint Henry II is the patron saint of Bavaria, childless couples, and kings.[2] His patronage supports faithful leadership.[9]
Feast day
Henry’s feast day is 13 July, celebrated with Masses in Bavaria and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to Bamberg Cathedral mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Henry II is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to Bamberg Cathedral.[2] Childless couples seek his intercession. His relics are displayed on his feast day.
Depicted with a scepter, his piety, noted in X posts, inspires governance.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in charters.[3]
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Henry II". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-henry-ii/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Henry II". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=124. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Henry II". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07226a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Henry II". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Henry-II. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Henry II". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-henry-ii/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Henry II". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-henry-ii-578. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Klaus Schmidt. "Bamberg Cathedral History". Archdiocese of Bamberg. https://www.bambergcathedral.de/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Henry II". Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20030713_henry_en.html. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Henry II". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-henry-ii. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor". CatholicSaints via X. 13 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/henry2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.