Feast day: June 16
When did St. Benno live: 1010 - 1106
Biography of St. Benno:
Benno was born in Hildesheim, Germany and was educated by bishop Bernward. In 1031, he became monk, was then ordained in 1040 and became abbot of the church St. Michael in Hildesheim. Later he became canon of Goslar and then bishop of Meißen. Because he did not collaborate with king Henry IV, he was captured and imprisoned for 2 years. He then declared his allegiance to the antipope Guibert and began involving himself in politics. He spent his last years as a missionary in Wends and died in 1106.
Patronage: St. Benno is patron of Munich, Berlin and Görlitz, of the fisherman and for rain, against storms, droughts and plague
Statues and wooden sculptures representing St. Benno of Meißen - portrayal, imagery and emblem: St. Benno is shown as a bishop with miter, crozier, book and fish with key