Blessed Henry Suso

Life story

Henry Suso was born on 21 March, about 1295, at Constance on Lake Constance or nearby (some sources say Überlingen). At about the age of 13 he entered the Dominican novitiate at Konstanz. He probably studied at Strasbourg, then from 1324 to 1327 took advanced theology at the Dominican studium in Cologne, where he probably met Meister Eckhart.

After Eckhart was condemned, Suso defended him in the Büchlein der Wahrheit (Little Book of Truth); the work drew criticism within his order, and he was removed from his post as lector. His Latin Horologium Sapientiae (Clock of Wisdom), expanded from his German Büchlein der ewigen Weisheit, became one of the most widely copied spiritual works of the later Middle Ages. Late in life he gathered his German works and a selection of letters into the Exemplar. Around 1343 he became prior of a convent, probably at Diessenhofen, and about 1348 he was sent to Ulm.

Elsbeth Stagel, prioress of the Dominican convent at Töss, was his close friend; she translated some of his Latin writings into German and collected his letters. He died at Ulm on 25 January 1366, aged about 70. Pope Gregory XVI beatified him on 22 April 1831. His feast in the Dominican Order is 2 March; 25 January is the day of his death.

Works and witness

• Entered the Dominicans at Konstanz at about age 13
• Studied theology at Cologne 1324 to 1327, probably meeting Eckhart
• Defended Eckhart in the Little Book of Truth
• Wrote the widely copied Horologium Sapientiae
• Beatified on 22 April 1831

Saints from the same country

Saint Ambrose, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Saint Bruno of Cologne

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia, "Bl. Henry Suso" (newadvent.org/cathen/07238c.htm)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.