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Saint Godfrey of Amiens

Saint Godfrey of Amiens Also known as

Gaufrid
Geoffrey
Geoffroy
Geofroi
Gioffredo
Godefrid
Godefridus
Godfried
Goffredo
Goffrey
Gofrido
Gotfrid
Gottfried
Jeffrey

8 November

Profile

Son of Frodon, a solid citizen in a small town. Raised from age 5 in the Benedictine abbey of Mont-Saint-Quentin where his godfather was abbot Godefroid, and where he immediately donned a Benedictine habit and lived as a tiny monk. He became a Benedictine monk when he came of age. Priest, ordained by bishop Radbod II of Noyon, France.

Abbot of Nogent-sous-Coucy, archdiocese of Rheims, Champagne province (in modern France) in 1096. When he arrived, the place was overrun by weeds and housed only six nuns and two children. He rebuilt, restored, and revitalized the abbey, bringing people to the Order, and Order to the people. Offered the abbacy of Saint-Remi, but refused. Offered the archbishopric of Rheims in 1097, but refused, claiming he was unworthy. Offered the bishopric of Amiens, France in 1104, and still considered himself unworthy of the trust; King Philip and the Council of Troyes each ordered him to take it, and so he did.

Noted for his rigid austerity – with himself, those around him, and in his approach to his mission as bishop. Enforced clerical celibacy. Fierce lifelong opponent of drunkeness and simony, which led to an attempt on his life. For most of his time as bishop, he wished to resign and retire as a Carthusian monk. In 1114 he moved to a monastery, but a few months later his people demanded his return, and he agreed. Took part in the Council of Chálons.

Though popular in life and death, his name did not appear on the calendars until the 16th century.