St. Heribert of Cologne

St. Heribert of Cologne was born about 970 at Worms in Germany, of a noble family, and after his education entered the service of the Church and the imperial court, becoming chancellor to the Emperor Otto III, whom he served faithfully and who esteemed him highly. About 999 he was made Archbishop of Cologne, one of the great sees of the empire, uniting in his person high ecclesiastical and civil responsibilities.

Despite his exalted station, he was known above all for his personal holiness, his humility, and his boundless charity to the poor, whom he served generously, especially in times of famine. He founded the monastery of Deutz across the Rhine from Cologne. After the death of Otto III, whose body he faithfully brought back for burial, he served the new emperor as well, striving always for peace and justice. Tradition tells that his prayers once brought rain to end a drought. He died on 16 March 1021 and was later canonized. His memory is kept on 16 March.