Saint Godelina

Saint Godelieve (also known as Godeleva, Godeliève, and Godelina; Dutch: Sint-Godelieve) (c. 1052 – 6 July 1070) was a Flemish saint. Every year, on the Sunday following 5 July, a procession celebrating Saint Godelieve takes place in Gistel. Tradition, as recorded in her Vita, states that she was pious as a young girl, and became much sought after by suitors as a beautiful young woman. Godelieve, however, wanted to become a nun. A nobleman named Bertolf (Berthold) of Gistel, however, determined to marry her, successfully invoked the help of her father's overlord, Eustace II, Count of Boulogne, along with her parents. She accepted the betrothal obediently and went to Bertolf's family home. There she was badly treated by him and his mother. She continued to live as an obedient daughter-in-law, managing the household well and with Christian charity. Bertold became more dissatisfied with her, and he ordered his servants to provide only bread and water to the young bride. Godelieve shared this food with the poor. Godelieve managed to escape to the home of her father, Hemfrid, seigneur of Wierre-Effroy. Hemfrid, appealing to the Bishops of Tournai and Soissons and the Count of Flanders, they concluded the marriage to be indissoluble and managed to have Bertolf restore Godelieve to her rightful position as his wife, which signaled a renewal of persecution. In July 1070, Godelieve returned to Gistel and soon after, at the order of Bertolf, was strangled by two servants and thrown into a pool, causing it to appear she died a natural death. According to legend, Bertolf married again, and had a daughter Edith, who was born blind: the legend states that Edith was cured through the intercession of Saint Godelieve. Bertolf, now repentant of his crimes, went to Rome to obtain absolution. He went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and became a monk at the Abbey of Saint Winnoc at Bergues.