The Diocese of Providence on Wednesday celebrated the feast day of St. Henry II, a German king who supported the Church.

“Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Henry, a German king that led and defended Europe's Holy Roman Empire at the beginning of the first millennium,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “St. Henry became a great patron of churches and monasteries, donating so much of his wealth to them that his relatives complained that he was behaving irresponsibly. St. Henry, pray for us!”

St. Henry II was born in Bavaria in 973, according to an entry in Britannica. He served as Duke of Bavaria, and later as King of Germany, and finally as Holy Roman Emperor until his death in 1024. Pope Eugenius III canonized him more than 100 years after his death.

Catholics celebrate his feast day each year on July 13.

Vatican News touted St. Henry’s work to bring about moral reform. One of his aims was to fight against simony, which was essentially bribery within the Church, Vatican News says.

He worked with Pope Benedict VIII, who had appointed him Holy Roman Emperor, to encourage celibacy among clergy, Vatican News says. Henry’s life was also a witness to the Sacrament of Marriage, as his love for and devotion to his wife, St. Cunigunde, was evident.

Franciscan Media describes Henry as a practical, energetic ruler, who was always working toward establishing peace and unity in Europe.

The diocese also posted a prayer in his honor.