July 13, St. Henry

God upholds his city forever. — Psalm 48:(see 9) 

Mass Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9 / Matthew 11:20-24 

Holy Daily Lives 

St. Henry was the Holy Roman Emperor who reigned from 1002 to 1024. He fought wars and administered his empire, while at the same time supporting reform movements in the Church and founding and endowing monasteries. He lived a secular life, but he lived it piously and in obedience to the teachings of Christ. 

None of us are likely to become emperors and wage wars, but most of us live largely secular lives — going to work, buying houses and cars, cooking meals, changing diapers, joining the military or the Peace Corps. St. Henry teaches us that sanctity is not only the domain of priests and Religious but of all of us living our daily lives in a sometimes messy world, being faithful to prayer and the teachings of Christ. 

Prayer: St. Henry, help us to be holy in our everyday world.