St. Gertrude (1256-1302) was a German Benedictine. Along with her mentor St. Mechtilde, she developed a spirituality of “nuptial mysticism”, seeing herself as the Bride of Christ. Gertrude began experiencing visions at the age of 26, and she was an early devotee of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her reflections were complied in The Herald of Divine Love and her Spiritual Exercises, and they were a major influence for other Christian mystics, including St. Teresa of Avila. In recognition of her role as one of the mothers of Christian spirituality, she is known as St. Gertrude the Great. Her feast day is November 16.

“O Sacred Heart of Jesus, fountain of eternal life, Your Heart is a glowing furnace of Love. You are my refuge and my sanctuary. O my adorable and loving Savior, consume my heart with the burning fire with which Yours is aflamed. Pour down on my soul those graces which flow from Your love. Let my heart be united with Yours. Let my will be conformed to Yours in all things. May Your Will be the rule of all my desires and actions. Amen.” — Prayer of Saint Gertrude

Questions for Reflection:

Have you ever imagined yourself to be the Bride of Christ? How do you express your intimacy with God? Do you feel united with God? How do you share your life with Christ the way that spouses share their lives?