BL. GODFREY OF CAPPENBERG

BL. GODFREY OF CAPPENBERG - 14 JANUARY

BLESSED GODFREY OF CAPPENBERG, RELIGIOUS

(January 13 in some calendars - Godefridus, Gottfried, Conf. Ord. Praem.) Saint Godfrey was born in 1097 in the Westphalian castle Cappenberg (Kappenberg), the seat of the counts of renowned name.

AN ILLUSTRIOUS FAMILY

His father was called Gottfrid, Count von Cappenberg, from the blood of Charlemagne; his mother was Beatrix, born of the German emperors from the Swabian Haue.

He was ignited through the zeal of St Norbert, who had just founded the Premonstratensian Order, and was so moved that in 1122 he turned his father's castle into a monastery and at the same time persuaded his wife Jutta to leave the world in order to serve the Lord alone in monastic seclusion.

HE FOUNDED THREE PREMONSTRATENSIAN MONASTERIES

He now founded three Premonstratensian monasteries: Cappenberg, Varlar and Ilbenstadt or Ilmstadt in the Wetterau.

He also induced his brother Otto and his sister Beatrix to consecrate themselves to the Lord. He was already known for his delicate conscience and his piety. As a monk he wanted to be the lowest everywhere and always preferred the humblest of tasks. He permitted nobody to address him by his aristocratic title.

HE DIED TO THE WORLD BEFORE HE HAD TO LEAVE IT

When he prayed or listened to God's word, he shed abundant tears. He lived very strictly and enjoyed almost nothing but bread and water. So he died to the world before he had to leave it.

Nothing pleased him more than the approach of his than the thought of the hour of death: "Oh, would it came soon," he sighed often, "the hour of our devotion; Oh Lord my God, prepare me for this hour!"

"NOW THEY COME, THE MESSENGERS OF THE LORD MY CREATOR"

Finally he fell ill on the way to Magdeburg, on a monastic errand. He once more humbly asked his confreres for forgiveness if he had insulted or annoyed them as he prepared himself to die.

As he was about to breathe his last, he exclaimed: "Now they come, the messengers of the Lord my Creator," whereupon he, passed away in the Lord on January 13, 1127.

Source: Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Blessed Godfrey may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog