Feast Day: November 16
Patronage: She is invoked especially for the souls in Purgatory, and a traditional prayer attributed to her is believed to aid those who have died.
St. Gertrude the Great (1256–1302) was a German Benedictine mystic and one of the greatest spiritual writers of the Middle Ages. From a young age, she lived in the monastery of Helfta, where she received a deep spiritual and intellectual formation. Gertrude experienced profound visions of Christ’s love, which shaped her life of prayer and devotion.
Her writings emphasize the Sacred Heart of Jesus, long before this devotion became widely known in the Church. She is honored for her extraordinary union with Christ and her teaching about God’s tender mercy, which continues to inspire the faithful today.
Prayer
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, enkindle in our hearts the same fire of charity that filled the heart of St. Gertrude the Great. Amen.
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