St. Godfrey of Amiens

Godfrey grew up in the monastery of Mont-Saint-Quentin. Butler describes his early concern for the poor, to whom he gave part of his food, and his preference for prayer over the comforts of the monastery. After ordination he became abbot of Nogent, where his example and government helped to restore regular religious observance.

When pressed to exchange that small community for a richer abbey, he resisted. He did not regard the greater possessions of another house as a reason to abandon those already entrusted to him. Eventually called to the bishopric of Amiens, he entered the city barefoot and began his ministry with preaching. Butler presents the same habits of restraint and recollection in both his monastic and episcopal life.

His care for the poor remained personal. He received them at his table and attended people suffering from leprosy. He also worked to correct abuses among the clergy and did not reserve his admonitions for those without influence. His last illness overtook him while travelling on Church business, and he died at the abbey of St. Crispin in Soissons after receiving the sacraments.