Homily: July 13 - St. Henry - Holy Roman Emperor

When most people hear the name King Henry, they probably think of King Henry VIII, who ruled in England in the 1500s and brought about a break with the Roman Catholic Church. 

The King Henry who we honor today is King Henry II, duke of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor;  he died in 1024.  As far as Christian Kings go, he used his power practically and humbly. Though wealthy, he had a great concern for the poor of his lands.  He saw material possessions as blessings from God meant to help others. 

It was his custom to undertake nothing without prayer and often saw angels and martyrs guiding him—protecting him and his army who guarded his lands from the encroaching barbarian hoards. 

One of the great goals of Henry’s reign was to establish a stable peace in Europe.  He knew that the Gospel of Christ was indispensable for society, and he devoted himself to the spread of Christianity by rebuilding churches and founding monasteries.   He promoted monastic reform where needed, believing monasteries to be indispensable centers of prayer and focal points for the civilization of people. 

He was a Christian emperor who acted justly.  It is all too obvious today what a danger it is to have civic leaders who do not value the practice of true religion, who do not understand the cooperative relationship the political order is to have with the Church.

When Saint Henry was not ruling over his empire and leading his army to stabilize Europe, he was cultivating a holy marriage with his wife.  Both he and his wife St. Cunegunda are canonized saints.

Here is a man who balanced his earthly responsibilities with this Christian vocation, and his vocation as husband and father. If a Holy Roman Emperor can do it, so can we.  St. Henry shows us that holiness is possible when we strive to give glory to God whether as a king or farmer, priest or monk or husband or wife, that joy is found not in hoarding treasure and glory on earth.  All that King Henry had, his mind, his wealth, he gave to help others; he put his entire time, talent, and treasure at the service of the establishment of God’s kingdom of peace.  May St. Henry’s prayers help us to do the same for the glory of God and salvation of souls.