Saint Gertrude the Great, also known as St. Gertrude of Helfta, pursued the path of a Benedictine nun as her vocation. She was hailed as a mystic and a great theologian, brought on by her deep relationship with the Lord.
Born on January 6, 1256, St. Gertrude entered the Cistercian monastery school of Helfta when she was only 4 years old. Saint Mechtilde, the sister of an abbess named Gertrude as well, had a close bond with the young Saint Gertrude. It is said that Saint Mechtilde took care of Saint Gertrude and had a great influence on her.
Saint Gertrude practiced “nuptial mysticism” and was known to be one of the great mystics of the 13th century. She showed charity for all classes, both poor and rich. She was a simple person who exhibited deep solidarity for souls who are still being purified in purgatory.
On November 17, 1301, Saint Gertrude passed away. Pope Benedict XIV gave her the title, “the Great”, to differentiate her from Abbess Gertrude. She is the only woman saint to have the title, “the Great”. She is the patroness of the West Indies.
