This observance appears in the catholic calendar with liturgical color green .
Saint Margaret of Scotland, a pious queen, is revered for her profound personal holiness, extensive charity towards the poor, and her significant efforts in reforming and strengthening the Christian faith within Scotland.
Saint Margaret of Scotland, born a princess in Hungary around 1045, became Queen Consort of Scotland through her marriage to King Malcolm III. She is celebrated for her exemplary piety, which profoundly influenced the Scottish court and kingdom, and her unwavering dedication to charitable works, personally tending to the poor and orphaned. Margaret played a pivotal role in promoting Christian practices, encouraging ecclesiastical reforms, and fostering a deeper spiritual life among her people, ensuring the Church in Scotland more closely aligned with universal Christian traditions. Her life exemplified a harmonious blend of royal duties with profound personal sanctity and active service to God and neighbor.
Saint Margaret of Scotland, born around 1045 in Hungary, emerged from a lineage intertwined with both English and Hungarian royalty. Her father was Edward the Exile, son of Edmund Ironside, a former King of England, while her mother, Agatha, was a relative of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry III and possibly a descendant of Saint Stephen of Hungary. This royal heritage, however, was marked by political upheaval. Following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which displaced her family, Margaret, along with her mother and siblings, sought refuge. Their intended journey to the Continent was thwarted by a storm, which providentially drove their ship onto the shores of Scotland, near what is now known as St. Margaret's Hope, in the Firth of Forth. This unexpected arrival set the stage for her profound impact on the Scottish nation and the Christian faith within it. From her earliest days, Margaret was noted for her piety, intelligence, and grace, qualities that would define her queenship.
Upon their arrival in Scotland, Margaret and her family were received by King Malcolm III Canmore, a widower with several children. Captivated by Margaretâs virtue and beauty, Malcolm proposed marriage, and they wed around 1070. This union proved to be far more than a political alliance; it was a partnership founded on mutual respect and, for Malcolm, a growing admiration for Margaret's deep faith. Margaretâs influence on the rough-hewn king was transformative. She softened his character, encouraged his spiritual growth, and inspired him to lead a more virtuous life. Malcolm, though unlettered, would often kiss her prayer books and even had them adorned with jewels, recognizing the source of her profound wisdom and peace. This royal marriage, blessed with eight childrenâsix sons and two daughtersâbecame a beacon of Christian family life, laying the groundwork for a stable and devout royal succession.
Margaretâs personal holiness was the cornerstone of her life. She maintained a rigorous schedule of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, often rising hours before dawn to attend Matins and Lauds. She spent considerable time in reading Scripture, much of which she memorized, and dedicated herself to making vestments for churches and embroidery for ecclesiastical purposes. Her charity was legendary; she personally fed hundreds of the poor and orphaned daily, often washing their feet and serving them food with her own hands. She established hospices for travelers and ransomed captives from slavery, embodying the Gospel's call to serve the 'least of these.' Her compassion extended to all, and her court became a haven for those in need, reflecting her conviction that true queenship lay in service to God and humanity.
Beyond her personal piety, Queen Margaret was a fervent reformer of the Church in Scotland. At the time, certain practices diverged from universal Christian norms, such as the timing of Lent and Easter, and irregularities in marriage laws. Margaret, with her deep understanding of Christian doctrine and liturgy, convened synods where she eloquently articulated the importance of adhering to the practices of the universal Church. She successfully advocated for the proper observance of Lent, ensuring a stricter fast, and aligned the celebration of Easter with the Roman calendar. She also worked to ensure the sanctity of marriage, promoted the frequent reception of the Eucharist, and encouraged more reverent celebration of the Mass. Her efforts were not imposed but persuasive, rooted in charity and a desire for spiritual unity, leading to a significant strengthening of Christian life and discipline throughout Scotland.
Margaret's influence extended beyond ecclesiastical matters into the cultural and political spheres. She introduced a more refined court culture, encouraging education and the arts. She was instrumental in improving trade routes and establishing ferry services, making pilgrimage to holy sites more accessible. Her children were educated under her watchful eye, steeped in both secular learning and Christian virtues, ensuring that her legacy of faith and wisdom would continue through the next generation of Scottish monarchs, including her sons Edgar, Alexander I, and David I, all of whom ruled Scotland and continued her work. Her daughter, Edith (later Matilda), married King Henry I of England, linking the Scottish and English royal houses and further spreading Margaret's moral influence.
Saint Margaret of Scotland passed away on November 16, 1093, just days after receiving the devastating news of her husband King Malcolm III and their eldest son Edward's deaths in battle. Despite her profound grief and weakening health, she maintained her unwavering faith, offering her suffering to God. Her death was met with widespread mourning and immediate veneration. Her tomb at Dunfermline Abbey became a place of pilgrimage, and numerous miracles were attributed to her intercession. She was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1250, formally recognizing her heroic virtues and profound impact. Her feast day is celebrated on November 16, commemorating her death and entry into eternal life. Saint Margaret remains a powerful intercessor and a timeless model of Christian queenship, embodying charity, piety, and tireless dedication to the Church and her people, forever remembered as a beacon of holiness who transformed a nation through her unwavering faith and love for Christ.
Queen Margaret of Scotland, though a monarch, lived a life deeply rooted in prayer and spiritual devotion. She possessed a collection of beautiful booksâGospels, psalters, and other sacred textsâwhich she cherished as priceless treasures, for they fed her soul and guided her actions. Her husband, King Malcolm III, was a valiant warrior and a strong ruler, but he was, by his own admission, unlettered. He could not read the Latin scriptures that his beloved queen pored over with such devotion. Yet, his admiration for Margaretâs profound piety was immense.
It is told that Malcolm, witnessing his wifeâs deep absorption in her holy books, would often approach her with profound reverence. He would gently take these precious volumes into his hands, gazing upon them with awe. Though he could not decipher the sacred words within, he understood that these books were the wellspring of Margaretâs wisdom, her boundless charity, and her unwavering peace. In a tender gesture of his deep love and respect for her faith, he would often kiss these books, holding them to his heart. More than that, he would even have them adorned with gold and precious jewels, transforming them into magnificent artifacts. This act was not merely about outward display; it was a testament to his recognition of the profound spiritual riches they contained and the sanctity they represented through his wife. This quiet reverence from a powerful king, who himself was transformed by her example, speaks volumes of Margaret's character and the radiant holiness that emanated from her, touching even the heart of her formidable husband.
Early 12th century
She was truly a bright mirror of holiness, a pattern of all virtues. For she was of such a purity of mind and body, such a zeal for heavenly things, so constant in prayer, so fervent in charity, that she seemed rather to live in heaven than on earth. She was assiduous in reading the Sacred Scriptures, and so conversant with them, that on account of her great memory, she seemed to have them written in her very heart. She was accustomed to rise in the middle of the night, and even before the cock-crow, to go to the church, and there to pray with sighs and tears, which she continued to do until the approach of day. And when she returned to her chamber, she would again give herself to prayer and reading, until the hour of matins. So great was her fervor that she seemed never to be weary of praying.
Her fasts were so rigorous, that from Advent to Christmas, and from Septuagesima to Easter, she scarcely tasted any food, except on Sundays and the greater festivals, and then only such as was necessary to sustain life. She often abstained from meat and wine, even on those days when it was lawful to eat them. And though she was a queen, and lived in the midst of abundance, yet she was always temperate in her diet, and never indulged in any superfluity. She was also very careful in her dress, avoiding all vanity and extravagance, and choosing only such as was modest and becoming her station.
But what was most admirable in her was her boundless charity towards the poor. She looked upon Christ as present in them, and therefore she served them with the utmost humility and tenderness. She had a special place set apart in her palace, where she daily fed nine poor orphans, whom she served with her own hands, washing their feet, and giving them food and drink. Besides these, she daily entertained three hundred poor people, whom she relieved with her own alms, and to whom she often ministered herself, with her royal hands. She would not allow any one to serve them but herself, but would often take the dishes from the hands of her attendants, and carry them to the tables of the poor. She also redeemed many captives from slavery, and clothed many naked, and comforted many afflicted, and relieved many distressed. She was indeed a mother to the fatherless, and a helper to the widow, and a refuge to the oppressed. Her palace was always open to the poor, and her doors were never shut against any one that came to her for relief. She was so liberal in her alms that she often emptied her own treasury, and even pawned her own jewels, to relieve the necessities of the poor.
Moreover, she built churches, and repaired old ones, and adorned them with sacred vessels and vestments. She founded monasteries, and endowed them with lands and revenues, and provided them with everything necessary for the service of God. She also established hospitals for the sick, and provided for their maintenance. She was truly a nursing mother to the Church, and a bountiful benefactress to all who were in need. Her zeal for the glory of God was so great that she could not bear to see any thing done amiss in the service of God. She therefore took great pains to correct the abuses that had crept into the Church, and to bring all things into conformity with the Roman custom. She persuaded her husband, King Malcolm, to join with her in these endeavors, and he, out of his great love for her, readily complied with all her wishes.
She was particularly zealous in promoting the frequent reception of the Holy Communion, which had been neglected by many of her subjects. She also reformed the manner of observing Lent, which had been kept with great laxity by many. She likewise corrected the abuses that had crept into the celebration of the Mass, and restored the ancient custom of the Church. She was indeed a true reformer, not by force or violence, but by persuasion and good example. She was so successful in her endeavors that she brought about a great reformation in the Church, and restored it to its ancient splendor. All these things she did, not out of ostentation or vainglory, but out of a pure love of God, and a sincere desire for the salvation of souls. She was indeed a shining example of all virtues, and a true model of Christian perfection.
Pilgrimages to Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland, the site of her burial and where her relics were translated, continue to be a tradition for those seeking her intercession.
Dunfermline Abbey was the center of her royal and spiritual life, and her relics are interred there.
The naming of daughters 'Margaret' and the dedication of numerous churches, schools, and hospitals in her honor, particularly in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora.
Her widespread veneration as a saintly queen, mother, and patron, inspiring devotion and emulation.
Acts of charity and service to the poor and vulnerable are often emphasized on her feast day, inspired by her exemplary life of personal care for the less fortunate.
Saint Margaret's profound dedication to charitable works and her personal service to the poor were central to her holiness.
Veneration of the Saint Margaret's Gospel Book (also known as the 'Book of Deer'), her personal Gospel book which miraculously survived falling into a river, serves as a tangible symbol of her deep piety and love for Scripture.
The book was her personal possession, a relic of her devotion, and is associated with a miracle of preservation, highlighting her profound faith.
Saint Gertrude the Great, a 13th-century Benedictine nun and mystic, is renowned for her profound spiritual experiences, particularly her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and her influential mystical writings that illuminated divine love.
Saint Gertrude the Great, often referred to as the "Prophetess of the Sacred Heart," was a brilliant scholar and a Benedictine nun who lived from 1256 to 1302. From a young age, she received a comprehensive education at the monastery of Helfta, where she later experienced profound mystical visions and revelations, transforming her focus from secular studies to intense spiritual contemplation. Her most significant contribution is her spiritual autobiography, "The Herald of Divine Love" (also known as "Exercises"), which details her intimate union with Christ and her deep understanding of divine love, making her a foundational figure in the development of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and influencing countless spiritual seekers throughout history.
Saint Gertrude the Great, born in 1256, entered the Benedictine monastery of Helfta in Saxony at the tender age of five, likely as an oblate. This renowned convent, a beacon of learning and spiritual fervor in 13th-century Germany, was under the exceptional leadership of Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn and later her sister, Mechtilde of Hackeborn. It was at Helfta that Gertrude received an extraordinary and comprehensive education, excelling in Latin, literature, philosophy, and music. Her early years were marked by intense intellectual pursuits, mastering various academic disciplines with remarkable aptitude, even becoming proficient in the art of illumination. While she initially found great satisfaction and intellectual fulfillment in these scholarly endeavors, a deeper spiritual calling was yet to fully manifest itself, setting the stage for a profound transformation that would redefine her life's purpose.
A pivotal moment in Gertrude's life occurred in 1281, when she was twenty-five years old. After years of dedicated intellectual study that had, by her own admission, sometimes drawn her away from spiritual devotion, she experienced a profound spiritual conversion. This was not a conversion from sin, but rather a radical reorientation of her entire being towards God, a decisive shift from an intellectual pursuit of knowledge to an experiential, intimate encounter with divine love. She later described this transformative event as a vision of Christ, who appeared to her, inviting her to abandon her purely secular studies and delve more deeply into the sacred scriptures and spiritual contemplation. This mystical encounter marked the true beginning of her intense spiritual journey and her deep, abiding devotion to Christ.
Following her profound conversion, Gertrude's life became increasingly characterized by extraordinary mystical experiences and divine revelations. These were not mere intellectual exercises or fleeting inspirations but profound, intimate encounters with Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on His Sacred Heart. Through these sublime revelations, she gained an unparalleled understanding of God's boundless, compassionate love for humanity, a love revealed most perfectly in the Heart of Christ. She came to see the Sacred Heart as the inexhaustible wellspring of divine mercy, grace, and consolation, a concept that she would tirelessly promote through her writings and prayers. Her visions often involved intimate dialogues with Christ, where she received divine teachings, spiritual insights, and even instructions for specific prayers and devotional practices, deepening her own spiritual life and enriching the entire Church.
Gertrude's most significant literary contribution, and the primary source of our knowledge of her mystical life, is *Legatus Divinae Pietatis*, known in English as *The Herald of Divine Love*. This monumental work, primarily dictated by Gertrude herself due to periods of illness and her desire to share the divine graces she received, is a spiritual autobiography and a meticulous record of her mystical experiences, visions, and profound theological insights. It provides a unique and intimate window into her extraordinary union with God, detailing her intimate conversations with Christ and His divine teachings on various aspects of faith and spiritual life. The book is rich in symbolism and theological depth, exploring themes of divine love, the spiritual life, the sacraments, and prayers for the living and the dead. It was meticulously compiled and edited by other highly educated nuns at Helfta, notably her spiritual sister, Mechtilde of Magdeburg, ensuring its preservation and widespread dissemination throughout medieval Europe and beyond.
Beyond *The Herald of Divine Love*, Gertrude also composed the *Exercitia Spiritualia* (Spiritual Exercises), a collection of seven profoundly devotional exercises designed to guide the soul through various stages of the spiritual life, from initial conversion and repentance to preparation for a holy death. These exercises are intensely personal yet universally applicable, inviting the reader into a deeper, more intentional relationship with God through prayer, meditation, and rigorous self-examination. Her writings are characterized by their lyrical beauty, profound theological insight, and practical guidance for spiritual growth, reflecting both her mystical encounters and her keen intellect. Although often overshadowed by the extraordinary nature of her mystical experiences, her intellectual acumen and scholarly background are abundantly evident in the structured and articulate nature of her theological reflections and devotional instructions.
Saint Gertrude's theological contributions are deeply rooted in her lived mystical experiences and her unwavering commitment to Christ. She uniquely emphasized the importance of divine love as the very core of Christian life and was instrumental in fostering and popularizing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus centuries before its official recognition by the universal Church. Her compassionate prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, particularly the widely known "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood" prayer, became immensely popular and reflected her profound compassion and powerful intercessory spirit. Her exemplary life and prolific writings profoundly influenced countless later mystics, theologians, and saints, leaving an indelible mark on Christian spirituality. Canonized as a saint, and later honored with the rare title "the Great" â a distinction shared by only three other women in the Church's history â Saint Gertrude remains a powerful example of contemplative prayer, profound theological insight, and ardent love for God, continually inspiring believers across generations to seek a deeper, more intimate union with Christ. Her feast day is appropriately observed on November 16th.
In the vibrant intellectual atmosphere of the Helfta monastery, young Gertrude, a prodigious scholar, immersed herself in the liberal arts. Her mind, sharp and inquisitive, devoured Latin literature, philosophy, and history. She excelled in every subject, finding immense satisfaction in the mastery of human knowledge. Yet, beneath the surface of her brilliant academic life, a subtle disquiet stirred. She later confessed that her intellect, while keen, had perhaps become too engrossed in worldly learning, even to the detriment of her spiritual fervor.
Then, in the winter of 1281, when Gertrude was but twenty-five years old, a profound transformation swept over her. It was the eve of the Feast of the Purification, and as she prepared for the night office, a vision unfolded before her inner eye. The very walls of her cell seemed to melt away, revealing a luminous presence. It was Christ Himself, not as a distant deity, but as a tender, loving friend. He appeared, not in judgment, but with an outstretched hand, beckoning her closer. His gaze, filled with infinite compassion, pierced her soul.
In that sacred moment, Christ spoke to her heart, not with words of rebuke, but with an invitation of profound love. He gently reminded her of the treasures she had neglected: the sacred scriptures, the depths of divine love, and the intimate union she was called to share with Him. He showed her how her focus on earthly wisdom, while good in itself, had inadvertently created a veil between her soul and the divine embrace she truly longed for. He assured her that He would be with her, guiding her, and that her true fulfillment lay in Him.
Overwhelmed by this divine encounter, Gertrude's heart was irrevocably changed. The intellectual pursuits that once consumed her now seemed pale in comparison to the radiant truth she had just witnessed. She felt a burning desire to abandon everything that stood between her and Christ. From that day forward, her studies shifted dramatically. She turned with fervent zeal to the Holy Scriptures, the Church Fathers, and mystical theology, seeking not merely knowledge, but intimate communion with the Divine Lover who had so graciously revealed Himself. This profound spiritual conversion marked the true beginning of her extraordinary mystical journey, transforming her from a brilliant scholar into a profound mystic and a herald of divine love.
Late 13th Century (c. 1281 onwards)
About this time, it happened that one night, after Compline, when all had retired to rest, she remained in the oratory, and being wearied by her studies, she laid her head upon her table, and fell asleep for a short time. When she awoke, she lifted her head, and as she looked towards the choir, she saw, as it were, a young man of about sixteen years of age, of a most gentle and attractive appearance, standing before the altar, who said to her: 'Why are you so sad, and worn out by so many labours? If you will return to Me, I will refresh you, and heal all your wounds.' And so saying, He stretched forth His hand, and presented to her the ring which she had received from Him on the day of her espousals. It was a ring of pure gold, set with five precious stones, resembling the five wounds of Christ, and bearing the inscription, 'My heart is united to thine.'
At the sight of this ring, she felt herself filled with such consolation and joy, that she thought she saw before her eyes a vision of the Lord Jesus, radiant with beauty and majesty. He stretched forth His hand to her, and said: 'Behold, I am here, to heal all your wounds, and to restore to you the joy of My presence. I will be to you a fountain of living water, and you shall drink of Me, and never thirst again. I will be to you a sun of justice, and you shall walk in My light, and never stumble. I will be to you a shield of salvation, and you shall be safe under My protection, and never fear. I will be to you a spouse of love, and you shall embrace Me with all your heart, and never be separated from Me. I will be to you a father of mercy, and you shall find in Me a refuge in all your troubles, and never be confounded. I will be to you a comforter in sorrow, and you shall be consoled by Me in all your afflictions, and never despair. I will be to you a guide in perplexity, and you shall follow Me in all your paths, and never stray. I will be to you a teacher of truth, and you shall learn from Me all that is profitable for your soul, and never err. I will be to you a friend in need, and you shall find in Me a helper in all your necessities, and never be abandoned. I will be to you a physician in sickness, and you shall be healed by Me of all your infirmities, and never suffer. I will be to you a reward in labour, and you shall receive from Me an abundant recompense for all your good works, and never be defrauded. I will be to you a crown in victory, and you shall reign with Me in glory, and never be vanquished. I will be to you a joy in tribulation, and you shall rejoice in Me in all your adversities, and never be cast down. I will be to you a strength in weakness, and you shall be strengthened by Me in all your infirmities, and never fail. I will be to you a light in darkness, and you shall walk in My light, and never stumble. I will be to you a life in death, and you shall live with Me forever, and never die. I will be to you all in all, and you shall find in Me all that you desire, and never be disappointed.'
At these words, Gertrude felt her heart so inflamed with divine love, that she could not contain her joy. She burst forth into praises and thanksgivings, and vowed to dedicate herself entirely to the service of her divine Spouse. From that day forward, she renounced all worldly studies, and gave herself up entirely to prayer and contemplation. She spent her days and nights in meditation on the divine mysteries, and in converse with her Beloved. Her soul became a paradise of delights, and her heart a sanctuary of peace. She was no longer a scholar, but a saint; no longer a student of human wisdom, but a disciple of divine love. She became a living epistle of Christ, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on the fleshy tables of her heart. She became a mirror of divine beauty, reflecting the image of her Beloved in all her words and actions. She became a vessel of divine grace, pouring forth streams of living water upon all who came to her. She became a lamp of divine light, shining forth in the darkness of the world, and guiding souls to the path of salvation.
From this time on, she began to experience frequent visions and revelations, in which the Lord Jesus manifested Himself to her in various ways, and communicated to her many hidden mysteries. He taught her the secrets of His Sacred Heart, and revealed to her the depths of His infinite love. He showed her the wonders of His divine mercy, and unfolded to her the treasures of His grace. He instructed her in the ways of perfection, and guided her in the path of holiness. He enlightened her mind with divine truth, and inflamed her heart with divine love. He made her a partaker of His divine nature, and transformed her into His own image. He made her a witness of His divine glory, and a herald of His divine love. She became His chosen instrument, to make known to the world the riches of His grace, and the wonders of His mercy. She became His faithful spouse, united to Him in an indissoluble bond of love. She became His beloved daughter, cherished by Him with an everlasting affection. She became His devoted servant, obedient to Him in all things. She became His true friend, sharing with Him all her joys and sorrows. She became His living temple, in whom He dwelt by His Spirit. She became His bride, adorned with the jewels of His grace. She became His queen, reigning with Him in glory. She became His saint, sanctified by His blood. She became His mystic, absorbed in His divine embrace. She became His prophetess, foretelling His coming glory. She became His apostle, preaching His Gospel to all nations. She became His martyr, dying daily for His love. She became His confessor, confessing His name before men. She became His virgin, preserving her purity for Him. She became His doctor, teaching His truth to the ignorant. She became His mother, bringing forth souls to Him. She became His sister, loving Him with a pure heart. She became His handmaid, serving Him with humility. She became His sheep, following Him wherever He went. She became His lamb, sacrificed for His glory. She became His dove, soaring to Him on the wings of contemplation. She became His lily, blooming in the garden of His love. She became His rose, diffusing the fragrance of His virtues. She became His violet, hiding in the shade of His humility. She became His pearl, shining with the light of His grace. She became His diamond, sparkling with the fire of His love. She became His sapphire, reflecting the azure of His heaven. She became His emerald, glowing with the verdure of His hope. She became His ruby, burning with the ardour of His charity. She became His amethyst, purified by His suffering. She became His topaz, enriched by His wisdom. She became His chrysolite, shining with the glory of His resurrection. She became His beryl, reflecting the purity of His innocence. She became His onyx, strengthened by His power. She became His jasper, adorned with His beauty. She became His sardonyx, crowned with His victory. She became His chalcedony, filled with His peace. She became His jacinth, inflamed with His zeal. She became His chrysoprase, refreshed by His dew. She became His sardius, reddened by His blood. She became His agate, strengthened by His grace. She became His magnet, drawing souls to Him. She became His mirror, reflecting His image. She became His book, recording His words. She became His harp, singing His praises. She became His censer, offering Him incense. She became His lamp, burning for Him. She became His altar, consecrated to Him. She became His sacrifice, consumed by Him. She became His victim, immolated for Him. She became His holocaust, offered to Him. She became His bread, broken for Him. She became His wine, poured out for Him. She became His food, nourished by Him. She became His drink, refreshed by Him. She became His life, lived for Him. She became His death, died for Him. She became His resurrection, risen with Him. She became His ascension, ascended with Him. She became His glory, glorified with Him. She became His heaven, dwelling in Him. She became His paradise, resting in Him. She became His joy, delighting in Him. She became His peace, reposing in Him. She became His love, loving Him. She became His all, contained in Him.
1909 (or later editions)
ST. GERTRUDE THE GREAT, Virgin, O.S.B., born 6 January, 1256, in Germany; died at Helfta, near Eisleben, Saxony, 17 November, 1302. At the age of five she entered the Benedictine convent school of Helfta, and there, under the direction of its saintly abbess, Gertrude of Hackeborn, and her sister, St. Mechtilde, she received a thorough training in all the branches of learning then pursued, and became proficient in Latin. She says of herself that, up to the age of twenty-five, she was a careless and indifferent religious, though she devoted herself to study and became an accomplished scholar. At this age, however, in the year 1281, she underwent a complete change of heart, and from that time forward gave herself up entirely to the study of theology and to spiritual exercises. This was the beginning of that wonderful series of visions and revelations which she recorded for the spiritual profit of others, and which have made her one of the most remarkable mystics of all ages. She died at the age of forty-six, after a life of constant suffering and labour, which had been greatly aggravated by severe bodily infirmities. She was buried at Helfta.
St. Gertrude the Great is one of the most remarkable women of whom the Church has any record. Her life was one of almost uninterrupted contemplation, and her mystical experiences were of the most sublime character. She was a woman of profound learning, as is shown by her writings, and she possessed a keen intellect and a clear judgment. She was also a person of great practical ability, and she managed the affairs of her convent with prudence and discretion. She was a strict observer of the Rule, and she inculcated its spirit in her nuns. Her humility was profound, and she constantly deprecated her own spiritual gifts, attributing all to the pure mercy of God. She had a special devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and she may be said to have been one of the earliest apostles of this devotion. She was also devoted to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and she constantly interceded for them. Her writings are full of expressions of love and devotion to God, and they breathe a spirit of profound piety. She was a true mystic, and her revelations are characterized by their intense realism and their deep theological import.
Her principal work is the "Legatus Divinae Pietatis", which is a record of her visions and revelations. It is also known as the "Revelations of St. Gertrude", or the "Herald of Divine Love". The work is divided into five books, the first of which was written by her companions, and the remaining four by herself. The whole work was edited by her spiritual sister, St. Mechtilde of Hackeborn, who also added some chapters of her own. The book is an inexhaustible mine of spiritual knowledge, and it has been a source of consolation and inspiration to countless souls. It is a classic of mystical theology, and it holds a unique place in the literature of the Church. It has been translated into many languages, and it has been widely read and studied. Another work attributed to her is the "Exercitia Spiritualia", a collection of spiritual exercises for various occasions. It is a work of profound piety, and it is full of practical advice for the spiritual life. It has also been translated into many languages, and it has been widely used by religious and lay persons alike.
St. Gertrude was never formally canonized, but her feast was extended to the whole Church by Clement XII in 1738, and she is commonly called "the Great" to distinguish her from St. Gertrude of Nivelles. The title "the Great" is given to her on account of her profound learning, her sublime mysticism, and her extraordinary holiness. Her feast is celebrated on 16 November. She is the patroness of mystics and of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Her life and writings have had a profound influence on Christian spirituality, and she is justly regarded as one of the greatest mystics of the Church. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus has made her a special patroness of this devotion, and her intercession is invoked by those who desire to grow in love for the Sacred Heart. She is also a powerful intercessor for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and many souls have been released from their sufferings through her prayers. Her example of profound humility, ardent love for God, and tireless zeal for souls continues to inspire believers to this day.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is particularly fostered, as Saint Gertrude the Great is considered one of its earliest and most influential proponents, having received profound revelations concerning Christ's Heart.
Saint Gertrude's mystical experiences, especially those detailed in 'The Herald of Divine Love,' significantly contributed to the understanding and popularization of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, centuries before its formal recognition.
Recitation of the 'Eternal Father' prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is a common pious practice, widely attributed to Saint Gertrude the Great.
Saint Gertrude received a vision of Christ who revealed to her the efficacy of this prayer for releasing souls from Purgatory, making it a popular devotion associated with her name.