16th November, St Gertrude, Virgin

St Gertrude, Virgin

St Gertrude, called the Great, was a Cistercian. She entered the cloister as an oblate in 1261, at the age of five. On 27th January 1281, Gertrude being then just over 25, the Spouse of her soul  revealed Himself to her and favoured her with remarkable visions during the eight following years. At God's command, she related them in the wonderful book of her Revelations. We also have of her, the Book of Special Grace, the Exercises of St Gertrude, and the Prayers of St Gertrude. Gertrude died in 1334, consumed rather by the ardour of her love than by disease.

She was proclaimed patroness of the West Indies, and in New Mexico a town was built in her honour and still bears her name.

Dilexisti justitiam, et odisti iniquitatem: properea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, oleo laetitiae prae consortibus tuis. * Eructavit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego opera mea Regi.

Thou hast loved justice and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. * My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.
(Psalm 44:8,2 from the Introit of Mass)



O God, who in the heart of the holy virgin Gertrude didst provide for Thyself a pleasing abode; through her merits and prayers, do Thou cleanse from our hearts every stain of sin, and grant that we may enjoy fellowship with her for evermore.
(Collect)



Jesu, coróna Vírginum,
Quem Mater illa cóncipit
Quae sola Virgo párturit,
Haec vota clemens áccipe.
Jesu, the Virgins' Crown, do thou
Accept us, as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The Mother and the Maid we own.
(Hymn from Vespers, from the Common Office of Virgins)



From the Catholic Encyclopaedia: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06534a.htm