Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great (with Supplemental Reading: A Brief Life of Christ)

725 Pages·2013·6.66 MB·English

St. Gertrude the Great
c. 1256–c.1302
Engraved from the miraculous Spanish painting.
Words of the Infant Jesus in St. Gertrude’s heart:
In corde Gertrudis invenietis me—
“In the heart of Gertrude you shall find Me.”
First published in English in 1862. Reprinted by Newman Press, Westminster, Maryland, in 1949, under the
title The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude. Reprinted by Christian Classics, Inc., Westminster, Maryland,
in 1975, 1983, etc.
Retypeset from the 1987 Christian Classics printing and republished by TAN Books, an Imprint of Saint
Benedict Press, LLC, in 2002, with a few translations of Latin phrases added in brackets.
Library of Congress Control No: 2001-132392
Cover design by Caroline Kiser.
Cover image: St. Gertrude the Great carrying the sacred heart of Jesus (oil on canvas), Spanish School,
(17th century) Monasterio de Santa Maria de San Salvador, Canas, Spain The Bridgeman Art Library
ISBN: 978-0-89555-699-8
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
TAN Books
An Imprint of Saint Benedict Press, LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
2012
OBLATION
OFFER Thee this work, O Lord Jesus Christ, Fount of eternal light, in union
with that ineffable charity which moved Thee, the Only-begotten of the
IFather, in the plenitude of the Divinity, to take upon Thee our nature, and to
become Man. I offer it to Thee on the part of all Thy creatures, because it is
Thine ineffable tenderness for mankind which caused Thee to pour forth those
sweet and efficacious graces on the heart of Thy chosen spouse, to fructify them,
to draw her to Thyself, and to unite her to Thee eternally.
I beseech Thee to take this work into Thy Divine keeping, that it may glorify
the omnipotence of the Father, the wisdom of the Son and the love of the Holy
Ghost. I offer it to Thee in fervent thanksgiving for all the graces which Thou
hast communicated or wilt communicate through this work, even to the end of
time. And as I am an utterly vile and unworthy creature, I offer Thee, in
satisfaction for all my deficiencies and omissions, my blindness and ignorance,
Thy own sweetest Heart, ever full of Divine thanksgiving and eternal beatitude.
Amen.
—Chapter 30 Oblation of this work to the Divine glory. Conclusion.
LETTER OF THE RIGHT REV. DR. MORIARTY
THE PALACE, KILLARNEY, DEC. 17TH, 1870
My Dear Sister in Christ,
I learn that you are issuing some new Works, and some new editions of
those already published. Your literary labours reflect honour on your Convent,
on your Order, and on this Diocese.
But I rejoice much more in this, that you are contributing to supply one of
our greatest needs—a Catholic Literature. I know, too, that the funds realised by
the sale of your works are exclusively devoted to the service of religion.
Praying God to bless you, and to preserve your health and strength,
Yours sincerely in Christ,
D. Moriarty
TO SISTER M. FRANCES CLARE,
Convent of Poor Clares, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
ADVERTISEMENT
PART ONE
The Life of St. Gertrude
Based on Various Sources
CHAPTER 1
The Saint’s birth and parentage. Her early dedication to God. Intellectual
gifts. Divine communications concerning her sanctity. Our Lord declares
that He finds rest and repose in her heart. Desires a holy person to seek
Him there.
CHAPTER 2
St. Gertrude predicts the election of Adolphus of Nassau. Quiets the fears of
the sisters, who expect to suffer a temporal loss. Her election as Abbess.
Removal to Heldelfs. Revelations of her sanctity. Our Lord appears to
her bearing the house of religion. Her generosity of spirit.
CHAPTER 3
The Saint obtains favorable weather. Miracles mentioned in her Office. Union
of her will with God’s. Counsels others. Our Lord desired her to write
her revelations. Her sanctity revealed to St. Mechtilde.
CHAPTER 4
She asks St. Mechtilde to pray for her. Our Lord is pleased with her patience
and mildness. He declares that He dwells in her; and hides her
imperfections.
CHAPTER 5
The Saint as Abbess. Tenderness toward others. Care of the sick. Her last
illness. Value of suffering. She is forbidden to resign her Office. Our
Lord accepts as done to Himself what is done for her. St. Lebuin.
CHAPTER 6