The Basics: Born 1256 in Germany; died 1302 in Germany; canonized 1677; feast day, November 16. Woman religious, mystic, and author.
The Story: It’s commonly acknowledged that Gertrude is the only female Catholic saint who is called “great.” So, what’d she do that was so great during her forty-six years on earth?
Perhaps it was her obedience… and her faith that, armed with the Lord’s grace, she could do whatever He asked for her. From an early age,
she was enveloped by a community of women religious. She entered monastery school at the age of four, and had as her guide Matilda of Hackeborn, a religious sister who was just fifteen years old and who would go on to be canonized herself.
While Gertrude proved to be a quick study of language, she began receiving visions of Jesus when she was twenty-five, and focused her gifts on studying and writing about theology and scripture, primarily for women in her community. As so often happens, those writings, such as The Herald of Divine Love and The Life and Revelations found their way to broader audiences. Gertrude also is known for a prayer she wrote that, she was told, when it was prayed would free a thousand souls in purgatory.
As time went on, Matilda and Gertrude became friends, and established or were among the earliest embracers of the philosophy of “nuptial matrimony,” that is, that women can be brides of Christ. Gertrude also was among the earliest devotees to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Gertrude’s Wisdom: “Soften my hard self-opinionatedness, which time has hardened so exceedingly!’
What We Can Learn from Gertrude: With God, we can do anything He asks. Don’t second-guess Him or question His wisdom.
To Learn More About Gertrude: Spend some time with The Life and Revelations of Saint Gertrude, published in 1876 and available online.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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