One a few saints with the title "the Great" Saint Gertrude (1256-1301/2) is clearly a woman with a mission. Given by her parents to the Benedictine monastery at Hefta (some say it was a Cistercian house), a monastery known for its learning and saint-making, Gertrude excelled in her studies. One day, around the age 24, she realized that the excellence she had in secular learning was not what she needed, in fact, she considered this way of living vain, and therefore she was called to do by the Lord: to live singularly for Him. Was it earthy wisdom that saved, or heavenly wisdom? She began to change her modus operandi and followed the advice of the Apostle to be totally concerned with heavenly wisdom.
Before it was a popular devotion, Saint Gertrude was known for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Eucharist.
Saint Gertrude's extant writing includes "The Herald of Divine Love," The Life and Revelations," and the "Spiritual Exercises."
May Saint Gertrude's greatness inspire us to live more intensely for a deeper communion with the Lord, in this life so as to be with Him in the next.
"My heart has said of you, I have sought your presence Lord.
It is your face, O Lord, that I seek."
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