Liturgical Aids for the Memorial of Saint Godfrey

Suggestions for introducing the H. Mass:

• Inspired by St. Norbert
  In November of 1121, an encounter of great consequence took place between the two brothers, Godfrey and Otto of Cappenberg, and Norbert of Xanten, who was preaching in Cologne at the time. The brothers were inspired by the apostolic life to which the man of God bore witness in word and deed. The spark burst into flame! Godfrey, who had just been married to Jutta of Arnsberg, decided to give all his possessions to the recently founded Norbertine Order and entered himself as a novice. The enthusiasm for the founder of the Order remained a constant in Godfrey’s life: he followed Norbert to Prémontré and later to Magdeburg, where he was made responsible for overseeing the German monasteries. – How are things going with our own vocation, with our own zeal for the things of the Lord as we continue to walk in the footsteps of St. Norbert?
  
  
  
• Unbending but patient in achieving his purpose
  Sometimes family matters can be very hard… Such was already the case at the beginning of the twelfth century for Godfrey of Cappenberg who, inspired by St. Norbert, wanted to turn his castle into a monastery. He did not count on the adverse reaction of his brother and sisters, Otto, Beatrice and Gerberga, his wife Jutta, and especially of his powerful father-in-law Frederick of Arnsberg. The latter was so violently opposed that he came with an army and laid siege to the family castle. But not even this could change Godfrey’s mind. On May 31, 1122, he turned over all of his possessions to Norbert: and the first foundation of the Order in Germany came into being. And after the sudden death of his father-in-law, Godfrey himself entered the new Order, together with his wife and brother. – At first sight the story seems very far away in time and place, but there are still many around us who want to exercise an influence on our decisions. Let us pray for the strength of the Holy Spirit, that we can be faithful to the interior inspirations of grace, come what may.
  
  
  
• Devoted to the poor and the sick
  The Incarnation of God, which we have recently celebrated in the Christmas season, has important consequences for us, because God sees the world through the eyes of a small child. St. Godfrey of Cappenberg, whose feast we celebrate today, underwent this change of perspective in his own life: once a wealthy and influential Count, who took part in the military campaign which stormed the city of Münster, Godfrey gave all his possessions to St. Norbert in 1122 and entered the Norbertine Order himself as a novice in 1124. As a member of the new Order, Godfrey served the poorest of the poor in great humility. At Cappenberg he had a hospice built for the poor, the sick and the needy. – May we learn from Godfrey the change of perspective that he experienced in placing his crown at the foot of the Lord’s crib.
  
  
  
• Mass for Children: The crown at the foot of the crib
  Not long ago I saw a picture in which several saints in white robes knelt before the crib of the Child Jesus. One of them had taken off his crown and laid it at the foot of the crib: this was St. Godfrey of Cappenberg, who gave his whole castle to the Norbertine Order and entered the monastery himself. He gave his golden crown, the sign of his former power, as a gift to the Christ Child. – We too want to give Jesus a gift in this celebration: we want to pay close attention, when we hear His Word and celebrate the Eucharist, when we sing well and pray from our hearts...