Godelieve facts for kids

Saint Godelieve (also known as Godeleva or Godelina) was a kind and gentle Flemish saint who lived a long time ago. She was born around 1052 and died on July 6, 1070. Godelieve was known for her charity and calm nature. She entered into an arranged marriage, which was common back then. Sadly, her husband and his family treated her very badly. In the end, her husband had his servants kill her.

Even today, people remember Saint Godelieve. Every year, on the Sunday after July 5, a special parade called a procession takes place in Gistel, Belgium, to celebrate her life.

Godelieve's Story

Stories about Godelieve say that she was a very religious girl from a young age. As she grew up, she became a beautiful young woman, and many people wanted to marry her. But Godelieve wished to become a nun, someone who dedicates her life to God.

An Unhappy Marriage

A nobleman named Bertolf from Gistel was determined to marry her. He asked for help from her father's powerful leader, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, and even her own parents. Godelieve, being obedient, agreed to marry Bertolf and moved into his family's home.

Life there was very difficult for her. Bertolf and his mother treated her poorly. Despite this, Godelieve continued to be a good daughter-in-law. She managed the household well and showed kindness to everyone, just as her Christian faith taught her. Bertolf became even more unhappy with her. He ordered his servants to give Godelieve only bread and water to eat. But Godelieve, still showing her generous spirit, shared this little food with people who were poor.

Seeking Help

Eventually, Godelieve managed to escape and went to her father's home. Her father, Hemfrid, asked important church leaders, the Bishops of Tournai and Soissons, and the Count of Flanders, for help. They decided that her marriage could not be ended. They managed to convince Bertolf to take Godelieve back as his wife. However, this only led to more bad treatment for Godelieve.

In July 1070, Godelieve returned to Gistel. Soon after, Bertolf ordered two of his servants to kill her.

The Legend of Saint Godelieve

After Godelieve's death, a legend grew about what happened next. According to this story, Bertolf married again. He had a daughter named Edith, who was born blind. The legend says that Edith was miraculously cured of her blindness because Saint Godelieve helped her.

Bertolf's Change of Heart

Seeing this miracle, Bertolf felt very sorry for what he had done. He traveled to Rome to ask for forgiveness. He then went on a long journey to the Holy Land, a very important religious place. After his travels, he became a monk at the Abbey of St Winnoc in Bergues.

Edith, Bertolf's daughter, later started a Benedictine monastery in Gistel. This monastery was dedicated to Saint Godelieve. Edith herself joined the monastery as a nun.

Honoring Saint Godelieve

Godelieve's story and kindness led to her being recognized as a saint.

Becoming a Saint

In 1084, Godelieve's body was dug up in a special ceremony. Important church leaders and nobles were there, including Gertrude of Saxony, the wife of Robert I, Count of Flanders. Radbod II, the bishop of Noyon-Tournai, officially made Godelieve's remains holy in 1084. After this, many people began to honor her.

About ten years after her death, a monk named Drogo from St. Winnoc's Abbey wrote a book about Godelieve's life. It was called Vita Godeliph. An abbey in Bruges, called Ten Putte Abbey, was also dedicated to her.

Traditions and Weather

As mentioned before, a special procession celebrating Saint Godelieve happens every year in Gistel. It takes place on the Sunday after July 5. In 2017, this procession was recognized as an important cultural tradition.

Saint Godelieve's feast day is July 6. Like some other saints, her day was linked to the weather. She is sometimes called one of the "weather saints." A monastery of Benedictine nuns was built where her home used to be. It was closed around 2020 because there were fewer nuns.

The Godelieve Polyptych

Godelieve's life story is shown in a beautiful artwork called the Godelieve Polyptych. This artwork is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

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  Donor with Saint Nicholas and Wife with Saint Godelina by Jan Provoost.

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  Chapel at the back of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinenkerk, Ostend, Belgium: stained glass representations of Saint Godelieve and Saint Idesbald.

See also

Learn more in Spanish!

In Spanish: Godeleva de Ghistelles para niños