Saint Godebertha
Saint Godebertha (born c. 640 AD near Amiens, Gaul, modern France; died c. 700 AD in Noyon, Picardy, modern France) was a Frankish noblewomen who consecrated her virginity to God, founded a convent at Noyon under the direction of Saint Eligius, and governed it for decades. She is patron of the city of Noyon. Her feast day is April 11.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Godebertha
| Saint Godebertha | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 11 |
| Profession | Abbess; consecrated virgin; monastic founder |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; early Frankish monasticism; convent at Noyon under direction of Saint Eligius |
| Patronage | Noyon; Picardy; consecrated virgins; abbesses; protection from drought |
| Attributes | Abbess's veil and staff; white dress (virginity); rain cloud or water (drought miracle); Saint Eligius (her director and bishop) |
| Birthplace | Near Amiens, Picardy, modern France |
| Death Place | Noyon, Picardy, modern France |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died as abbess of her convent at Noyon c. 700 AD |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint-Godeberthe, Noyon, Oise, France — the church dedicated to her in the city; Cathedral of Noyon also associated with her memory and with Saint Eligius |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast April 11; observed in Diocese of Beauvais-Noyon and Picardy |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; locally observed |
Biography
Godebertha was born around 640 into a Frankish noble family near Amiens. When she came of age, her family arranged a marriage for her; but she was drawn to the consecrated life. She appealed to Saint Eligius (Eloi), who had been appointed Bishop of Noyon in 640 and was one of the most prominent churchmen in Frankish Neustria.
Eligius received her vows of consecrated virginity and directed her in the religious life. She founded a convent at Noyon, gathering other pious women around her. She governed this community for several decades, known for her prayer, her charity to the poor, and her pastoral care of her sisters.
A miracle associated with her is the ending of a severe drought at Noyon through her penitential prayer and procession. She died at Noyon around 700 AD. She is patron of the city of Noyon and is associated with the Cathedral and ecclesiastical tradition of Noyon (which would later, in the 12th century, be the birthplace of John Calvin — though that connection has nothing to do with her own life).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Near Amiens, Picardy, modern France
Death location: Noyon, Picardy, modern France
Notable location: The city of her monastic foundation and the center of her life; she founded a convent here under Saint Eligius, Bishop of Noyon; the Cathedral of Noyon (where both she and Eligius are associated) and the church of Saint-Godeberthe preserve her memory; she is patron of Noyon (Noyon, Oise, Picardy, France)
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Church of Saint-Godeberthe, Noyon, Oise, France — the church dedicated to her in Noyon; her primary cult site.
Feast day
April 11
Veneration
Saint Godebertha is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on April 11, observed in Noyon and the Diocese of Beauvais-Noyon.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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