St. Gertrude the Great

Saint Gertrude the Great

Virgin

Gertrude was born in the year of Our Lord 1256, in the same town in Saxony where Martin Luther was later born. At five years of age she entered a Benedictine convent school, where she grew up under the guidance of St. Mechtilde. After eventually taking her vows, Gertrude began to experience visions, which drew her away from an exaggerated focus on philosophy and towards a more mystical spirituality, which was nonetheless rooted in the stable ground of Scripture and Patristic theology. The profoundly humble Gertrude made no show of her mystical experiences, and to the world she appeared the epitome of a simple and faithful Benedictine. Many of her writings have been lost, but those that survive show an intelligence and piety comparable to, though different from, St. Teresa of Ávila, who promoted Gertrude’s works. The most influential aspect of Gertrude’s spirituality was her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She and Mechtilde were among the first to promote this devotion in a form resembling that given to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Gertrude died in the year of Our Lord 1302, on November 17th, which is her feast day among the Benedictines.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for November 16th

IN Africa, the holy martyrs Rufinus, Mark, Valerius and their companions.

The same day, the holy martyrs Elpidius, Marcellus, Eustochius, and their companions. Elpidius being a senator, and having perseveringly confessed the Christian faith before Julian the Apostate, was, with his companions, first tied to wild horses and dragged by them, and then being thrown into the fire, ended a glorious martyrdom.

At Lyons, the birthday [into heaven] of St. Eucherius, bishop and confessor, a man of extraordinary faith and learning. He renounced the senatorial dignity to embrace the religious life, and for a long time voluntarily shut himself up in a cavern, where he served Christ in prayer and fasting. Afterwards, through the revelation of an angel, he was solemnly installed in the episcopal chair of the city of Lyons.

At Padua, St. Fidentius, bishop.

At Canterbury, in England, St. Edmund, archbishop and confessor, who was sent into exile for having maintained the rights of his church. He died near Provins, in France, and was canonized by Innocent IV.

The same day, the departure from this world of St. Othmar, abbot.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.