The icon above was written by Brother Claude at Mount Angel Abbey. It depicts the two patrons of the Benedictine Oblates: Saint Frances of Rome and Saint Henry.

July 13 is the feast of Henry II. Saint Henry II was born in 973 in Regensburg, Bavaria, and later became king and emperor. He is an example of human kingly service. Rather than being concerned with material wealth and political power, he focused on building the Church. He established the See of Bamberg and built its cathedral.

Tradition offers insight into King Henry’s fondness for the Benedictines. He was trained by the Benedictine bishop of Regensburg, became an oblate of the Abbey of Cluny, and was then asked to be received into the Benedictine Abbey of St. Vanne at Verdun. The abbot welcomed him, but immediately constrained him by obedience to re-ascend the imperial throne.

He was buried at the Cathedral of Bamberg next to his wife, awaiting the Resurrection. After his death, his wife entered monastic life in the Benedictine Abbey of Kaufungen, which she had founded. She died there in 1033.

Pope Pius X declared Henry patron of oblates.

Here is a poem about Henry and Cunigunde:

Here rest the benefactors,
Here they lie close together, as saints,
Here is the foundation of the Diocese of Bamberg.
Their names are inscribed
In our history,
Their work is
Still felt today.
They are ahead of us,
We follow in their footsteps.
They have arrived,
We are still traveling.

Henry received a miracle from Benedict, as seen in the photo below. In my own life, Benedict has surprised me by guiding me in a renewed spiritual life. As an oblate, I have found fresh perspectives and am grateful.

Henry is an example that being a saint is possible. Be a saint in your state in life and keep Christ at the center of all your activities.

Happy feast day!