WHEN EMPEROR HENRY WAS MIRACULOUSLY CURED BY MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL

Emperor Henry II reigned from the year 1002 to 1024. It is hard to exaggerate the spectacular power he wielded - he was a German king who also became King of Italy and was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Benedict VIII. He was the Pope's closest ally, and he had such influence that he requested the Creed be added to the Mass. His wish was granted. To this day - we offer the Creed - thanks to Emperor Henry. He was the catalyst for the conversion of Hungary to Catholicism because he would only allow Hungary's King Stefan to marry his sister the duchess on the condition that he be baptized. Stefan was hastily baptized and more hastily still did he wed the duchess. 

But back home in Bavaria, Germany, he was always known as, "Henry the Lame". His leg was quite badly deformed. Perhaps his limp humbled him, he prayed feverishly before battle and he was ever more solicitous of heavenly aid because he needed all the grace he could get when he was in combat with more able-bodied soldiers. When he was in the thick of it, he sometimes saw his guardian angel, martyred saints and patrons join in the fight to save his life. Still, he was a heroic warrior and during the year 1022, the Pope asked him to fend off the encroachments of the Byzantine Empire. 

After a significant military victory, Emperor Henry went on pilgrimage to the basilica of St Michael on Monte Gargano. One evening he felt called to spend the whole night in prayer in the basilica - the only church in the whole world that was not consecrated by human hands but rather by St Michael personally when he imbued it with his angelic spirit. In the darkness, Henry was consumed in prayer when he behold two angels who appeared as young men. They busied themselves preparing the altar. At midnight, he witnessed all 9 choirs of angels process to the altar led by Holy Michael the Archangel. Then Our Lord and Our Lady came bathed in brilliant light. The angels robed Jesus in papal vestments. Then Christ offered Himself in Holy Mass to God the Father. 

Henry saw Jesus kiss the Gospels and after the Gospel was sung, St Michael approached Henry and presented him with the Gospels for him to kiss. Michael then saluted him, "Henry, elect of God, stand up and joyfully receive the kiss which Christ sends you. I am Saint Michael, one of the 7 spirits at the throne of God." Here Michael echoed St Raphael who revealed in the Book of Tobit that he is also an archangel and one of the 7 who stand before the throne of God. Fitting that Michael spoke of his role holding vigil before the throne of Christ the King to an earthly King.  

On that faithful night, Michael touched Henry's side with his angelic hand and he pronounced that his limb was completely healed. Henry saw that his leg was entirely restored, no longer did he limp. The miracle was followed, however, by Michael cautioning Henry sternly that he was not to come into the basilica at night ever again. Henry obeyed, and while the miracle was stupendous and others may have wanted to enter at night so as to be healed by Michael, they heeded Henry when he reiterated Michael's warning. 

This year marks a whole millennium since Emperor Henry was cured of his disability. Yes, a thousand years, but Holy Michael may still fly to aid those who are sick and disabled. He may also call on and accompany those who are ill. St Pantaleon - who was a medical doctor - hailed Michael as the visitor of the sick. 

Two years after his leg was completely healed, Emperor Henry died on July 13,1024. On this anniversary of his passing into eternal life, I hope he intercedes for you greatly and perhaps he may even ask St Michael to heal you if you are in need of healing. 

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This post was informed by Fr Marcel Bouzon's The Grandeurs of St Michael the Archangel which is available here.  Fr Bouzon refers to Emperor Henry as "Erick" which is a translation of "Henry" that seems to combine both the Italian and German. 

Dr Pius Parsch's The Church's Year of Grace Vol 4 was invaluable in helping my understanding of Henry's influence. Were it not for my reading Dr Parsch, I would not have written this post because it colored in the details of his life that are not present in Bouzon's splendid account of the miracle because Bouzon's priority is to emphasize Michael while Parsch's concern is Henry. 

The 10th century gold and enamel Byzantine icon of St Michael is in the treasury of St Mark's Basilica.