This edition of Saint’s Corner concerns one of the great ruler saints of the Catholic World. Let us see in his life, how and why the Church has always prefered the monarchy to a democratic form of government.
His Life
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Henry was born to a life of command. While still in his early twenties, at the death of his father, Henry became the Duke of Bavaria. His life until this point had been exemplified by piety and self-denial. His beloved wife, St. Cunegunda, rivaled him in the practice of virtue and in her desire to aid and love their people. Together, they lived in a state of chastity, so that, at the his death, Henry restored her as a virgin to her family.
In 1002 AD, Henry was declared ruler of Germany and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. During his reign he continued in the exercise of Christian and manly virtues. The poor were fed, justice prevailed and the military abilities of the Emperor were proved in battle and not found wanting. Whenever he waged war, it was due to the necessity of defending the rights of the Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Church. Never did he seek might and power, but rather availed himself of it for the defense of the faith of his people. The salvation of souls was his greatest desire. So doing , he placed himself with great faith under the intercession of the communion of saints, fighting more often with prayers than with the force of arms. Angels and martyrs were visibly seen assisting him in a battle against the Slavs, when, with a small force he put to flight the larger enemy host and thus prevented their continued destruction of churches and the slaying of his innocent people. His rule extended to Bohemia, Moravia, Pannonia, Hungary and Burgundy. Having brought the True Faith to the heathen lands of the North, Henry now moved South into Italy. He drove out the anti-pope and restored Benedict VIII to the see of Rome. He died in 1024, at the end of a holy life of piety, full of the glories of a life dedicated to the Catholic rule of Church and state.
What lessons does the life of this warrior saint teach us?
His life shows us how a good ruler and king can bring about the Social Reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ, more than for a multitude of sinners who seek to attempt to reform society in their own image. Such a good king obtains order, justice, true liberty and citizens exercised in true virtue, indeed, a holy nation. Little does the modern world understand this. Anarchy, legalism, a utopian freedom, loaded with chains and the exercise of practices that cast man down beyond the level of the beasts to the waiting arms of Satan is the fruit of modern man in his quest for his own dignity.
The example of King Saint Henry shows us the true structure of Church and state. While the two can never be seperated, and while each is sovereign in her own domain, yet, always the Church remains the mother and guardian of all laws. As God may never be contradicted, so the Church, when she teaches the truth of God, may never be disobeyed by the state. This was the life and practice of St. Henry, who both sanctified himself in this way and led countless souls to the portals of heaven.
