SAINT
GERTRUDE THE GREAT

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Gertrude was born in 1256 at Eisleben, Germany.  Nothing is known about her parents.  She was raised in the Cistercian abbey of Helfta, Eisleben, Saxony from age 5.
Gertrude was very intelligent and was interested in Philosophy and studied it to the exclusion of all else.  When she was 26, she had a vision of Our Lord.  He redirected her energies and she quit seeking wisdom from the world and began studying the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers.
Gertrude received many visions and instructions from Our Lord and Our Lady which continued until the end of her life.  She wrote all of it down but unfortunately, many of her writings are lost.
Saint Gertrude was "the Great" because of her love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the souls in purgatory.
Though she was never formally canonized, Pope Clement XII in 1677 directed that her feast be observed throughout the Church.

Model of total fidelity to the Heavenly Bridegroom and to your Cistercian Rule, the Lord was pleased to make available wonderful private revelations through you. Help religious to realize that where there is total generosity trials are usually not lacking, but there is also God's infinite love. Make all religious generous like you. Amen.

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