Novena to St. Gertrude the Great
Day 1: St. Gertrude was born on the Feast of the Epiphany, 1256. At the age of 5 she was placed under the care of St. Mechtilde in a Benedictine monastery. Here she spent her whole life. St. Gertrude wrote that if she had not been formed at such a young age, "surely, I would have been capable of doing everything I liked without remorse." Intercede for us, St. Gertrude, that we may recognize our sins of commission and omission. 0, great saint, obtain for me (mention personal intention) through Jesus Christ our Lord.
END PRAYER TO BE SAID EACH DAV: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood ofThy 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.
Day 2: St. Gertrude is "the Great" because of her single-hearted love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Souls in Purgatory. Many saints, like St. Teresa of Avila, had a great devotion to Gertrude. St. Gertrude, we invoke your patronage and ask you to beg for us those graces most suited to our spiritual needs and (mention personal intention).
Day 3: St. Gertrude was elected Abbess of her monastery in 1294 when just 30 years old. She guided her spiritual children for more than 40 years as Superior. Through the intercession of St. Gertrude may the voice of the Most High God reach the depths of our hearts and (mention personal intention)
Day 4: Feeling overloaded one day, St. Gertrude asked for fewer distractions in her days so as to have more time for prayer. The Lord answered her, "If I took pleasure only in spiritual exercises, I would have reformed human nature after Adam's fall, so that it would not need food, clothing or other things. I require only that your will be directed to me with a right intention". Pray for us St. Gertrude that we may discern God's will for our lives each day and (mention personal intention)
Day 5: Jesus once showed St. Gertrude a table of gold on which were many precious pearls. The pearls were prayers for the Souls in Purgatory. Aid us, St. Gertrude, that through your intercession our prayers for the Souls in Purgatory will be made with great faith in God's mercy upon them and (mention personal intention).
Day 6: St. Gertrude often contemplated upon the image of the shepherds finding the Baby Jesus in the stable with Mary and Joseph. She shared that it was her reminder to st~y mindful of the Divine presence in her day by keeping watch over her feelings "Like the shepherds watch over their flocks!" Pray for us, sweet Gertrude, that we may be graced and focus on the affections given to us throughout our day. Attach yourself to my need (mention personal intention).
Day 7: St. Gertrude advises us to prayerfully prepare for Mass. Here is a prayer she prayed: "Through this Mass I offer You in reparation, loving Father, all the sufferings of Your Son from the hour that He gave His first cry amid the straw of the manger, until He bowed His head on the Cross. Out of the abyss of my lowliness, I praise and adore Your mercy." Obtain for us, St. Gertrude the grace to profit by your example and (mention personal intention). Day 8: St. John the Evangelist was St. Gertrude's special patron saint. She perceived the unceasing love of Jesus Christ for us through His Sacred Heart. Through her writings she spread devotion to the Sacred Heart though it was not so called until revealed to St. Margaret Mary. St. Gertrude please present our most earnest intention to the Most Adorable Heart of Jesus (mention personal intention).
Day 9: St. Gertrude, teach us what you so perfectly practiced, the holy poverty of spirit. You were sanctified on earth and now glorify God in heaven. We ask this and (mention personal intention) through Jesus Christ, Who with the Father lives and reigns in unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without . end.