Gotthard of Hildesheim
11th‑century German Benedictine abbot and bishop of Hildesheim, Cluniac reformer and Catholic saint
Feast: 4 May (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
Godehard, born in Bavaria about 960, took the Benedictine habit at Altaich in 991 and became its prior and abbot, enforcing strict observance. He was sent to reform the abbeys of Hersfeld, Tegernsee and Kremsmünster.
In 1022 he yielded to the urging of Emperor St Henry II and became Bishop of Hildesheim, where he brought monastic observance to his chapter and built schools for the young. He died on 4 May 1038.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe the miracles approved in the cause.
Why that counted as sanctity
A monk-bishop who renewed monastic life and educated the young.
Connected on this site
- Bernard of Hildesheim Blessed“He achieved the canonization of Gotthard of Hildesheim by Pope Innocent II and founded the basilica St.” — Wikipedia
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - St. Godehard
- Wikidata Q61914 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Gotthard of Hildesheim (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.