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Godard (or Gildard)

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Godard (or Gildard)

bishop of Rouen, was born at Salency, near Noyon, about 460. According to some hagiographers, he was son of Nectar, a Roman lord, and twin brother of St. Medardi but the earliest records contain no such information. As successor to Radbod, he received the priesthood at the hands of the bishop of Vermand, then the capital of the Vermandois. He was elected bishop of Roten near the close of the 5th century, and brought many idolaters to the Christian faith. He aided in the conversion of Clovis I, together with his co-laborers St. Remy, St. Woast, and St. Medard. In 511 he assisted at the first Council of Orleans. He discovered in St. Laudus an especial talent, although but twelve years of age, and consecrated him bishop of Coutances. The theologians attributed this to divine revelation. He died at Rouen, June 8, about 530, and was interred in the Church of the Virgin, but his remains were afterwards reinterred in the abbey of St. Medard, at Soissons, under the reign of Charles the Bald, which probably led to the conclusion that Godard was brother of Medard. These two saints are honored on June 8. According to Mabillon, Fortunatus wrote the life of these two saints, but it is uncertain. See, Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.