Saint of the day · July 13
St Henry
Monday, week 15 in Ordinary Time
Liturgical colour : Green
Saint Henry, also known as Henry II, was a Holy Roman Emperor who lived at the turn of the first millennium. Born into noble German lineage in the late 10th century, he was raised in a period marked by the close intertwining of church and state. After ascending first as Duke of Bavaria and then being crowned Holy Roman Emperor, Henry became notable for his energetic support of monastic reform and for strengthening the Church’s position in his realm. He strove to govern with justice and is remembered for his efforts to promote peace and order across his domains.
Saint Henry was married to St. Cunegunda; though tradition holds their marriage remained chaste, the details are shaped by legend. He collaborated closely with Church leaders, founded and endowed numerous churches and monasteries, and sought to use his influence to promote Christian life and morals throughout the empire. In a period often turbulent with political conflict, he is remembered for his piety and care for the Church, which earned him sainthood centuries after his death.
The Church celebrates his memory as a model of lay leadership, blending the responsibilities of governance with fidelity to the Christian faith. His life is a reminder that holiness can be pursued even in complex and demanding secular roles, striving for justice, peace, and the common good.
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Local variations
- Luxembourg — St Henry and St Cunegonde
The liturgical day
Mass readings
“Wash yourselves, purify yourselves, remove from my sight your evil deeds” — Is 1, 10-17
Listen to the word of the Lord,
you who are like the rulers of Sodom!
Give ear to the teaching of our God,
you, people of Gomorrah!
What do I care about the number of your sacrifices?
– says the Lord.
The burnt offerings of rams, the fat of calves,
I have had enough of them.
The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats,
I take no pleasure in it.
When you come to present yourselves before me,
who asked this of you, trampling my courts?
Stop bringing worthless offerings;
I loathe your incense.
New moons, sabbaths, assemblies—
I cannot bear these crimes and festivals.
Your new moons and your solemnities,
I hate them:
they are a burden to me,
I am tired of bearing it.
When you spread out your hands,
I turn my eyes away.
You may multiply prayers,
I do not listen:
your hands are full of blood.
Wash yourselves, purify yourselves,
remove from my sight your evil deeds,
stop doing evil.
Learn to do good:
seek justice,
restrain the oppressor,
give justice to the orphan,
defend the cause of the widow.
– The word of the Lord.
Ps 49 (50), 8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23
“I do not accuse you for your sacrifices;
your burnt offerings are always before me.
I will not take a single bull from your domain,
not a single ram from your pens.
What right have you to recite my statutes,
to have my covenant on your lips,
you who hate correction
and cast my words behind you?
“This is what you do;
shall I remain silent?
Do you think that I am like you?
I lay these things before you and charge you.
“Whoever offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
that person gives me glory:
upon the path he walks,
I will show him the salvation of God.”
“I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” — Mt 10, 34 – 11, 1
At that time,
Jesus said to his Apostles:
“Do not think that I have come
to bring peace to the earth:
I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Yes, I have come to set
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law:
one’s enemies will be those of his own household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me
is not worthy of me;
whoever loves son or daughter more than me
is not worthy of me;
whoever does not take up his cross and follow me
is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life
will lose it;
whoever loses his life for my sake
will find it.
Whoever welcomes you
welcomes me;
and whoever welcomes me
welcomes the One who sent me.
Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet
will receive a prophet’s reward;
whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person
will receive a righteous person’s reward.
And whoever gives even just a glass of cold water
to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—
amen, I say to you: he will surely not lose his reward.”
When Jesus had finished instructing
his twelve disciples,
he went on from there to teach and proclaim the word
in the towns of that region.
– Let us acclaim the word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org