St.Canuntus

July 10, commemoration

Position: king and martyr

Deaths: 1086

Patron: Denmark

Attributes: dagger, spear, royal insignia, arrow

BIOGRAPHY

From 1080, he was king of his native Denmark. He had a family, lived a pious life, and sought to spread and strengthen Christian life in his kingdom, where pagan customs still prevailed in some places. His pro-church rule was unpopular with some nobles, led by his treacherous brother Olaf, who longed for power. King Canute (Knut) was assassinated while praying at the altar of a church in Odense.

BIOGRAPHY FOR MEDITATION

PIOUS RULER AND PATRON SAINT OF DENMARK

He was born in Denmark around 1040 as the illegitimate son of King Sven III of Denmark and Estrid. He received a Christian upbringing and took the teachings of the Gospel very seriously. Furthermore, he later married Adele, the daughter of Robert, Count of Flanders, and had a son, Charles, who was nicknamed the Pious.

He became king in 1080, at the age of about 40, and his reign lasted only six years. He is often compared to the Czech ruler St. Wenceslas, especially in terms of his piety, love, justice, and martyrdom, in which his brother played a significant role.

From the beginning of his reign, he actively supported the spread of Christianity in the country and sought to eradicate paganism and its customs. Although he was king, he tried to live, fasted strictly, and wore rough penitential clothing under his royal robes like an ascetic. This helped him to maintain a conscious love and a correct attitude towards God and people. Before God, he accepted responsibility for governing the country and leading its people.

He was generous in giving alms to the poor and built hospitals and temples. In his humility, he donated his royal crown to the temple in Roskilde with the words: “This jewel is more fitting to adorn a sacred place than to be used for vanity and worldly pride.” After laying down his royal insignia before the image of the Crucified One, he also issued a declaration in connection with the victory over the enemies who had attacked the country, that he submitted himself and his entire empire to Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, and had no other desire than that the Christian faith should flourish in his country and be preserved for all time.

He set an example of respectful behavior toward the clergy to his subjects and did not allow his courtiers to do anything that would be detrimental to the Church. He removed the clergy from the jurisdiction of secular courts and placed them under the full authority of the bishop and his court. Likewise, he elevated eight bishops to the rank of imperial princes, granting them a prominent seat in the parliament. He sent missionaries to neighboring nations, did not seek conflict, but strove for peace. He defended himself valiantly against pagan attackers and attempted to convert the defeated to Christianity.

Kanut’s apostolic activities also stirred up many enemies within his nation. His brother, Olaf, envied him a place on the throne and coveted the crown. Kanut, eager to ensure the future coverage of the needs of temples and clergy, began to think aloud about introducing church tithes, which aroused opposition and dissatisfaction with the king’s Christian rule among the greedy nobles. His brother, Olaf, was looking for a way to overthrow the king. An opportunity arose when a plea for help against enemies came from England to Denmark in 1085. Knut therefore ordered a navy to be prepared for help and entrusted the high command over it to his brother Olaf. He betrayed and incited the army of which he became the commander against his king, Kanut. The efforts of the conspirators resulted in the dissolution of the military, which ceased to heed the appeals of its monarch.

In his merciful justice, Kanut did not want to punish the conspirators with death under the law; instead, he imposed a conditional fine on them, which they were exempt from paying if they committed to paying church tithes. The magnates rejected the offer, and when the fine they had verbally favored was enforced, they led a general revolt in the country.

Anticipating his killing, King Kanut fled to the island of Funen (Fionia) to Odense, where in the temple of St. Albania he received the sacraments. Then he prayed aloud in front of the altar: “Lord and God! To you I like to sacrifice my life, for honor and glory and for the protection of your Church. Accept my sacrifice and grant the enemies the grace of knowing the truth and regret. Forgive them as I forgive them.” Meanwhile, the attackers tried in vain to pry open the gate, so the stones broke the windows and attacked the king with arrows from their bows and spears from the ladders. They also attacked his brother Benedict and 17 persons loyal to him.

Kanut’s grave was revered for its miracles. In 1101, Kanut was canonized by Pope Paschal II.

RESOLUTION, PRAYER

I will pray the tithe of the rosary for the increase of faith in my country.

Almighty, eternal God, grant that, following the example of the holy martyr Kanut, we live with awareness of responsibility to You and striving for the honor of Your name and the Church of which we are a part. We ask this through Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, for he lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit throughout the ages of ages.