St. Canute - January 19th
St. Canute was a strong, wise king of Denmark. He was a great athlete, an expert horseman, and a marvelous general.
At the beginning of his reign, he led a war against the barbarians and defeated them. Everywhere he conquered, he brought the Christian faith. In Gratitude for his glorious victories, St. Canute knelt at the foot of the alter and offered his crown to the King of Kings, Jesus.
He was very charitable and gentle to his people. He tried to help them with their problems. Most of all, he wanted to make them true followers of Jesus.
However, a rebellion broke out in his kingdom because of the laws he had made about supporting the Church. One day his enemies went to the church where Canute was praying. He knew they had come to harm him. At the foot of the alter, he made his confession and received Holy Communion. With all his heart he forgave his enemies. Then, as he prayed, a spear was thrown through a window and killed him.
As St. Canute offered his royal crown to Jesus for all he had received, we, too, should thank God every day and offer Him a crown made up of good deeds.
