Tag: sthenryII

Posted in CHRIST the LIGHT, CHRIST the WORD and WISDOM, FATHERS of the Church, ONE Minute REFLECTION, QUOTES on WATCHING, The SECOND COMING, The WORD

One Minute Reflection – 15 July – Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching. Luke 12:37

Posted on by AnaStpaul

One Minute Reflection – 15 July – “The Month of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus” – St Henry II (972-1024) Confessor, Holy Roman Emperor. – Ecclesiasticus 31:8-11, Luke 12:35-40 – Scripture search here: https://www.drbo.org/

“Blessed are those servants, whom the Master, on His return, shall find watching.” – Luke 12:37

REFLECTION – “How blessed, how happy are those servants, “whom the lord when He comes shall find watching!” (Lk 12:37) Blessed watch, in which they watch for God the Creator of the universe, who fills all things and surpasses all!

Would that myself too, wretched though I be, yet His poor servant, He might deign so to arouse from the sleep of idleness, so to kindle with that fire of Divine Love that the flame of His Love, the longing of His so great Charity, would mount above the stars and the Divine Fire would ever burn within me!

Would that I were of such deserving, that my lamp might ever burn by night in the temple of my Lord that, to all entering the house of my God, it might give light (cf Mt 5:15). Lord, grant me, I pray Thee, in the Name of Jesus Christ Thy Son, my God that love which knows no fall, so that my lamp may feel the kindling touch and know no quenching, may burn for me and for others, may give light!” – St Columban (543-615) Monk, Irish Missionary, Abbot, Writer, Reformer, Teacher, Miracle-worker, Founder of numerous Monateries in present-day France and Italy. (Spiritual Instructions No 12:2)

PRAYER – O God, Who on this day took Henry, Thy Confessor, to the everlasting Kingdom from the throne of an earthly empire; we humbly beseech Thee, that as Thou enabled him, protected by the abundance of Thy grace, to overcome the temptations of the world, so grant that we, in emulation of him, may shun the allurements of this world and come to Thee with pure hearts.Through Jesus Christ, Thy Son our Lord, Who lives and reigns with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen (Collect).

Posted in SAINT of the DAY

Saint of the Day – 13 July – St Henry II – Holy Roman Emperor

Posted on by AnaStpaul

Saint of the Day – 13 July – St Henry II – Holy Roman Emperor – Also known as Good King Henry (6 May 972 at Albach, Hildesheim, Bavaria, Germany – 13 July 1024 at Pfalz Grona, near Göttingen, Saxony (in modern Germany) of natural causes.   Canonised in 1146 by Pope Blessed Eugene III.   Patronages – against sterility, childless people, disabled, handicapped or physically challenged people, dukes, kings, people rejected by religious orders, diocese of Bamberg, Germany, Basel, Switzerland, Benedictine Oblates.

St. Henry - Holy Roman Emperor 12

In the 10th century, leaders were not elected and so they did not have to worry about pleasing their subjects in order to stay in power.   Because of this, many emperors and kings took advantage of the power, luxury and honour of their position without responsibly working for the good of their people.   Kings often chose to ignore or to squelch conflict rather than to resolve it justly.   In the midst of these circumstances, Henry, the son of the Duke of Bavaria, set the example of a Christlike leader.   Jesus said that a leader is one who serves. And that is what Henry did.

Henry was married to Cunegunda of Luxembourg but they had no children.   When he was 34 years old, Henry became king of Germany.   As a ruler, Henry concentrated on the good of his people.   He built monasteries, helped the poor, fought against unjust seizure of power and relieved all kinds of oppression.

Once his brother-in-law and some other relatives complained that Henry was wasting the family fortune on the poor.   They actually got an army together to challenge Henry’s rule.   Henry met them on the battlefield and put down the uprising, then pardoned them out of Christian charity.

In 1014 Henry was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.   That title made him ruler of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and northern Italy, as we know these countries today.   Henry was well known for his missionary spirit and for his protection of the Pope in times of trouble.   Henry ruled with a spirit of great humility and always sought to give the glory to God.   He used his position to promote the work of the Church and the peace and happiness of the people.   Henry is buried in the Cathedral of Bamberg beside his wife Cunegunda; he was canonised in 1146, and she was canonised in 1200.   The images below are Emperor Henry II’s Gospel and he and Empress Cunigunde’s tomb.