Gotthard of Hildesheim

Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim was born in 960 near Niederaltaich in the diocese of Passau. Formed in the humanities and theology at Niederaltaich Abbey and later at Salzburg and Passau, he grew into a wise administrator and devoted churchman. When the community at Niederaltaich embraced Benedictine life, Gotthard entered as a novice and became a monk in 990, was ordained a priest in 993, and in 996 was made abbot. He labored to renew monastic discipline through the Cluniac reforms, strengthening fidelity to the Rule of Saint Benedict and training other abbots to restore religious life across the region. In 1022 he succeeded Saint Bernward as bishop of Hildesheim. For fifteen years he shepherded his diocese with learning and zeal, founding schools for the formation of clergy and encouraging the building of many churches. He died on 5 May 1038 at a hospice for travelers he had founded. Miracles were later attributed to his relics, and he became beloved as a patron of traveling merchants and of several towns, especially in Italy. His feast day is May 4.