Godeberta

Saint Godeberta (Godebertha) was born in 640 near Amiens in France, of noble and pious parents attached to the royal court, and was carefully educated; according to one account she died on 9 or 11 April 670 (other sources say around 700). When her father took her to court to marry her to a man of suitable rank, Saint Eligius, who was present, saw that she wished to dedicate her virginity to God. He took off his episcopal ring and placed it on her finger in the presence of the king, declaring her a nun.

Godeberta refused the offers of marriage from the noble suitors. The king, impressed by her zeal, gave her a small palace nearby at Noyon, with a chapel dedicated to Saint George. She turned the house into a monastery, where she was abbess over twelve young women, and chose Eligius as her spiritual guide. She lived in prayer and solitude, leaving occasionally when the call of charity or religion brought her forth among the people, many of whom were still pagans. She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 11 April (new style; 24 April in the old style).