Saint Henry of Uppsalla

Also known as
Heikki
Henrik of Finland
Henrik of Uppsala
Henry of Finland
Henry of Sweden
Memorial
19 January
18 June (translation of his relics)
Profile
While working in Rome, he was sent to evangelize Scandinavia, travelling with papal legate Cardinal Nicholas Breakspear, the future Pope Adrian IV. Bishop of Uppsalla in 1148. Evangelized Sweden and Norway. Friend of King Saint Eric of Sweden, and accompanied him into battle with Finnish pirates in 1154. Eric offered friendship and Christianity to the Finns; they chose war, but lost to the Swedes. Henry then evangelized in Finland. Built a church at Nousis, which became his headquarters. Martyred by a Finnish soldier named Lalli whom he had just excommunicated for murdering a Swedish soldier. Legend says that Lalli had a long life - continually tormented by mice as a penance for his attack.
Born
English
Died
struck with an axe c.1156 at Nousis
buried at Nousis
miracles reported at his tomb
relics translated to Torku on 18 June 1300
relics stolen by Russian troops in 1720
Canonized
1158
Patronage
against storms
Finland
Representation
bishop being murdered at Mass with young King Saint Eric; bishop being murdered by a man weilding an axe; trampling on Lalli
Additional Information
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Catholic Online
Catholic Online
Catholic Online
For All The Saints, by Katherine Rabenstein
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
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