St. Henry, Emperor of Germany, on his return from Italy, went, along with his whole Court to Cluny to visit the holy Abbot Odilo. During his journey through Europe a certain Prince, to show esteem for so great a monarch, presented him with a crystal vase of magnificent workmanship.
The pious Emperor thought that this would be a suitable offering to make to the monastery, so he directed two of his chaplains to carry it to the Abbot. When they had presented it to St. Odilo, they returned to the Emperor.
The beauty of this vase became at once the subject of conversation throughout the monastery. Everyone desired to see it and to hold it in his hands. As it was thus passing from one to another one of the monks let it fall to the ground, and it was broken into fragments. St. Odilo was not present when the accident occurred, but when he was informed of it, being afraid that the Emperor might be grieved at the destruction of such a work of art, and also thinking that he might blame his two chaplains for the accident, went to the church and prayed earnestly to God to help them in their difficulty.
He then commanded the pieces of the vase to be gathered and brought to him. But no sooner had they gathered them together than the vase was found intact, to the amazement of those who carried it. The Emperor, hearing of what had occurred, thanked God for permitting him to see and dwell under the roof of one who was so dear to Him.
The Catechism In Examples Vol. III, By the Rev. D. Chisholm Pg. 323.
Short Stories on Honor, Chivalry, and the World of Nobility—no. 477
