St. Gertrude the Great
Gertrude was born in 1263 to a Saxon family of nobility. At 5 years old, she was placed into a Benedictine abbey for education. She was able to write in Latin and was obedient to all of the monastic observances, including mortification and humility.
Gertrude had he first vision of Christ at the age or twenty-six. She had additional visions which included intimate conversations with Jesus and Mary and recorded them in her work, Book of Extraordinary Grace. Working with St. mechtilde they wrote a series of prayers that became very popular. She also promoted through her writing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
St. Gertrude was known for being gentle to everyone, including sinners. She held the passion for the Lord close to her heart and she ultimately led the abbey where she was sent as a child. She longed to be with Jesus in heaven and her inability to do this created almost continual suffering. She was finally granted her wish in 1302.
Saint Gertrude is the patron saint of the West Indies and her feast day is the 16th of November.
