Henry II was born on May 6, 972 and succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995. At the death of his cousin Emperor Otto III, he was elected the Emperor in 1002. Backed by the religious education received from St. Wolfgand, by the inspiring support from his wife St. Cunegund/Kunigunda and by spiritual direction from St. Odilo of Cluny, Henry turned out to be a staunch Catholic, an able statesman and a competent ruler. In 1014 he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII. Though Henry was forced to take up arms to defend his frontiers and to establish stable peace in Europe, he was honest in battles and humane in victories. Once his throne was secured, his major concerns were reforms of ecclesiastical and monastic life, with great stress on service to the poor. Henry was one of the greatest rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. He conquered heaven on July 13, 1024 and was declared a saint in 1146 by Pope Eugene III.
Reflection: The life of Henry demonstrates that the laity holding positions of authority and leadership can strengthen the Church and help unfold God’s plan in society.
Present glory is fleeting and meaningless while it is possessed, unless in it we can glimpse something of heaven’s eternity. (St. Henry)
