Born in Bavaria in 972, he succeeded his father, Henry the Quarrelsome, as Duke of Bavaria in 995. In 1002 he was elected Holy Roman Emperor and is remembered as a just ruler, a defender of the Church, a friend of the poor and a model of virtue. He considered becoming a monk after the death of his wife, St Cunegund, but was persuaded to persevere in his imperial vocation. He died on 13 July 1024 and was buried in Bamberg Cathedral, a see which he had founded. He is the patron of Benedictine Oblates. He was canonised by Pope Eugene III in 1146. – CTS New Daily Roman Missal 2012, p 2826; Christian Prayer 1990, p 1171
