SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT
Feast Day November 16
Today the Church celebrates one of the most loved ecclesial mystic heroes of the Middle Ages; Saint Gertrude of Helfta or better-known as Saint Gertrude the Great. Her feast day was made part of the universal Calendar of the Roman Rite by Pope Clement XII in 1738 and she was given the tile of “the great” by Pope Benedict XIV. Born on January 6, 1256 in the region of Eisleben in Germany. Incidentally, this is the same hometown of Augustinian monk turned protestant reformer, Martin Luther. Saint Gertrude died at Helfta on November 17, 1301…
Saint Gertrude’s spiritual life, as a Benedictine nun, centered around the Sacred Liturgy. Her attendance at the Divine Office throughout the day and participation in the Eucharistic Sacrifice was the substance of her spiritual food. However, she also spent many hours in prayer and meditation in which the Lord appeared to her. She experienced visions of the Lord for the rest of her life. As we might imagine, they had a powerful effect on her soul. In addition, Saint Gertrude had great power for intercessory prayer and miracles. Her prayers led to many healings of her sisters and those who came to the monastery. Her visions of Jesus and prayer led her to write several beautiful treatises on mysticism and nuptial mysticism, which were shared with her monastic sisters.
O my adorable and loving Savior, consume my heart with the burning fire with which Yours is aflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your love. Let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your Will be the rule of all my desires and actions. Amen.
PRAYER OF SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT FOR THE HOLY SOULS IN PURGATORY
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.
Amen..
Saint Gertrude the Great is invoked for souls in purgatory and for living sinners. Our Lord told Saint Gertrude that the above prayer would release 1,000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. The prayer was extended to include living sinners as well.
