Saint Gertrude the Great (1236-1302) The Church has a single woman in the ranks of “The Great” namely, St. Gertrude the Great.

Saint Gertrude was a German Benedictine , mystic, and theologian. Gertrude was born on 6 January 1256, on the Feast of the Epiphany, but nothing is known of her parents nor of the place of her birth. When she was five years old, in 1261, she entered the Saint Mary’s Monastery of Helfta* for formation and education. It has been speculated that she was offered as a child servant to the church by devout parents, but some of her own writings indicate that she may have been an orphan.

In 1281, at the age of 25, she experienced the first of a series of visions that would continue throughout her life. These visions eventually changed her priorities; shifting her interests away from secular knowledge and more towards the study of Scripture and theology in order to cure what she called, “the wound of ignorance”. Although only a few of her writings remain with us today because of political events that led to the eventual destruction of the Monastery by fire in 1342; many saints have been highly influenced by Gertrude, which in turn gives us more insight into her greatness. She became a model and guide for St. Teresa of Avila and many other Discalced Carmelites, especially in France. Her prayers, in particular, have left a lasting imprint on the Catholic tradition as St. , St. , and St. Alphonsus Liguori, all used them and taught them to others.

Her Devotion to the : Gertrude recorded a vision on the feast day of . During the vision, Saint John placed her head near the wound in the Savior's side and hearing the beating of the Divine Heart, she asked John, if on the night of the Last Supper, why he had never spoken of what he had experienced as his head lay on Our Lord’s chest. John replied that, “The eloquence of that sweet beating of His Heart is reserved for the last age, in order that the world which had grown cold and passive, may be set on fire with the love of God."

Excerpts from “The Life & Revelations of Saint Gertrude – “Our Lord Touches Her Tongue” As Gertrude was frequently consulted by hundreds who came from afar, attracted by the fame of her sanctity, it happened more than once that she was seized with holy fear, lest her words and her council should hinder rather than advance, those who had recourse to her.

As she prayed for light on the subject, Our Lord replied: “Fear nothing from hence forth”; He counseled, “Take courage, and be at rest. I am the Lord thy God…therefore, I will reply truly by thee to those who seek Me through thee, with fervor and humility. I promise you also, that I will never permit anyone whom I consider unworthy of receiving My Body and Blood, to ask your advice on any matter”.

Once, as she was praying for a certain person, she felt ashamed that this person, did not have greater faith in obtaining what she had asked for. Our Lord said to her, with great kindness: “Whatever any person hopes to obtain through your intercession, they shall certainly receive from Me; and further, whatever you shall promise to anyone in My name, shall certainly be done for them even though the supplicant, through human infirmity, may not perceive what I have done, I will nevertheless fulfill My promise, and produce the desired effect in their soul”….

Gertrude reflected in amazement how such great promises could be made to one so unworthy as she. Our Lord replied: “Does not the Universal Church allow what was formerly said to Peter alone, (Matt 16:19) …Why then do you not believe that I can, and will carry out, whatever Divine love, prompts me to promise you?” He then touched her tongue and said: “Behold, I have given My words in your mouth; and I truly confirm whatever you may say to others at My suggestion and in My name”….”I will make it sure, and ratify it in heaven”.

*The years 1251-1302 were a sort of golden age for the monastery of St Mary's at Helfta, . Three of the Church's greatest mystics lived at Helfta in the years 1251-1302 - Gertrude the Great, St Mechtild and Mechtild of Magdeburg.