Today I received a lovely little note from a friend. I just met this young man less than a year ago when he spent some time at our parish - he is studying for the priesthood at our local seminary. In honor of my friend, today I will share the story of his patron Saint.
St. Godfrey of Amiens was born in 1066 in France. At the age of 5, he was sent to a monastery to be educated. In due course, he chose to become a monk himself and was ordained to the priesthood at the age of 25. He was chosen to be the Abbot of the Abbey of Nogent-sous-Coucy in Champagne. When he arrived, the abbey consisted of just half a dozen monks whose discipline was lax. The buildings were neglected and dilapidated. Under Godfrey's direction, the abbey began to flourish and became a hostel for pilgrims. His gifts did not go unnoticed. He was offered both the abbotcy of Saint-Remi and the bishopric of Reims - both of which he declined.
In 1104, Godfrey was appointed as bishop of Amiens, which he was compelled to accept. However, he never allowed himself to forget that he was a monk. He lived in the simplest fashion and when he thought that the cook was feeding him too well, he took the best food from the kitchen and gave it to the poor. As Bishop, he was known to be unbending, severe and inflexibly just. He had a bitter struggle in his own diocese against simony and for the celibacy of the clergy. His rigid discipline made him unpopular with some. He himself would have preferred to remain in the monastery.
His feast day is November 8. St. Godfrey of Amiens, pray for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment