ST HERIBERT, ARCHBISHOP OF COLOGNE - 16 MARCH

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MARCH

Saints celebrated on the 16th of March

WELCOME!

SAINT HERIBERT, ARCHBISHOP OF COLOGNE 

Saint Heribert was Archbishop of Cologne; he was born at Worms, c. 970 and died at Cologne, March 16, 1021. His father was Duke Hugo of Worms. 

HE SPENT SOME TIME AT THE MONASTERY OF GORZE

After receiving his education at the cathedral school of Worms, he spent some time as guest at the monastery of Gorze, after which he became provost at the cathedral of Worms. 

HE WAS ORDAINED PRIEST

In 994 he was ordained priest; in the same year King Otto III appointed him chancellor for Italy and four years later also for Germany, a position which he held until the death of Otto III on January 23, 1002. As chancellor he was the most influential adviser of Otto III, whom he accompanied to Rome in 906 and again in 997. 

HE RECEIVED THE PALLIUM ON JULY 9, 999

He was still in Italy when, in 999, he was elected Archbishop of Cologne. At Benevento he received ecclesiastical investiture and the pallium from Pope Sylvester II on July 9, 999, and on the following Christmas Day he was consecrated at Cologne. 

HE WAS HELD CAPTIVE FOR SOME TIME

In 1002 he was present at the death-bed of the youthful emperor at Paterno. While returning to Germany with the emperor’s remains and the imperial insignia, he was held captive for some time by the future King Henry II, whose candidacy he first opposed. 

THE KING SAW HIS MISTAKE

As soon as Henry II was elected king, on June 7, 1002, Heribert acknowledged him as such, accompanied him to Rome in 1004, mediated between him and the House of Luxembourg, and served him faithfully in many other ways; but he never won his entire confidence until the year 1021, when the king saw his mistake and humbly begged pardon on the archbishop. 

THE MONASTERY AND CHURCH OF DEUTZ

Heribert founded and richly endowed the Benedictine monastery and church of Deutz, where he lies buried. He was already honoured as a saint during his lifetime. Between 1073 and 1075 he was canonised by Pope Gregory VII. His feast is celebrated on March 16.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Heribert may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.