Physical Abuse Victims / Godelieve, 1049–1070, Feast Day: July 6

A Flemish noblewoman with an arranged marriage, Godelieve was considered ugly by her new husband and mother-in-law. She was deserted by him and was locked in a cell, starved and beaten by her in-laws. The local bishop made her husband return to the marriage, but her husband had Godelieve strangled and drowned in a pond. Local people considered the site of her murder sacred, and there have been multiple reports of miraculous healing through her intercession.

Other patronages: healthy throats; difficult marriages, verbal abuse victims

Invoked: against throat diseases