Life and Revelations of Saint Gertrude the Great

CONTENTS

PART ONE
The Life of St. Gertrude

Based on Various Sources

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Her dying words. Devotion to the Divine Office. Tenderness to her spiritual children. Our Lord appears to her in her agony. Promises to receive her as He received His Blessed Mother. Angels call her to Paradise.

Her death. Of her eternal joys. Our Lord consoles her religious. Revelations of her sanctity. Prays that her religious may be comforted at her tomb. Her obsequies. Our Lord blesses her tomb.

Favors granted at the interment of the Saint. Souls released through her intercession. How Our Lord gathered a lily. Of fear in the last agony. Purgatory in sickness. Efficacy of prayers for the dead.

Happy death of another religious. Our Lord specially rewards her charity to others. Purgatory in sickness. How Our Lord purified a dying religious. Efficacy of prayers for the departed. Of Masses for the dead. Reward of fervor when suffering.

St. Gertrude not formally canonized. History of her cultus. Benedict XIV. Her Office approved. Name inserted in Martyrology. Lanspergius. His History. Preface to Insinuationes. Plea for the female sex. Conclusion.

— PART TWO —
The Revelations of St. Gertrude

Written by Herself

The Saint’s thanksgiving to God for the first grace vouchsafed to her, by which her mind was withdrawn from earthly things and united to Him.

How the grace of God illuminated her interiorly.

Of the pleasure which God took in making His abode in the soul of Gertrude.

Of the stigmatas imprinted in the heart of Gertrude, and her exercises in honor of the Five Wounds.

Of the Wound of Divine Love; and of the manner of bathing, anointing and binding it up.

Of the intimate union of the Infant Jesus with her heart.

The Divinity is imprinted upon the soul of Gertrude as a seal upon wax.

Of the admirable union of her soul with God.

Of another admirable manner in which St. Gertrude was closely united to God.

How the Lord obliged her to write these things; and how He illuminated her.

She receives the gift of tears, and is warned of the snares which the demon has laid for her.

With how much goodness God bears our faults.

Of the necessity of exact vigilance over the senses and affections.

Different exercises by which the soul is purified.

How agreeable works of charity are to God; and also meditations on holy things.

Of the inconceivable tenderness which the most glorious Virgin has for us.

Of the garments with which we should clothe Jesus and His Mother.

How God bears with our defects. Instruction on humility.

How God is pleased to condescend to His creatures; and what glory God derives thence from the blessed.

Of some considerable privileges which God granted to this virgin, and of the grace which He promised to her clients.

Thanksgivings for the confirmation of the aforesaid favors.

How St. Gertrude was admitted to the vision of God. Of the kiss of peace and other similar favors.

Recapitulation of the gifts already mentioned. The Saint complains of her infirmity and ingratitude.

Conclusion of this Book.

— PART THREE —
The Revelations of St. Gertrude

Compiled by the Religious of Her Monastery

Our Lord gives His Blessed Mother to St. Gertrude to be her mother, in order that she may have recourse to her in all her afflictions.

Adversity is the spiritual ring with which the soul is betrothed to God.

Human consolation weakens that which is Divine.

How vile and despicable are all transitory pleasures.

The perfect resignation of St. Gertrude into the hands of God in all adversities, and what merit she acquired thereby.

The co-operation of the faithful soul at the Holy Sacrifice. Five favors on which the Saint was desired to meditate, when unable to assist at it.

With what confidence we should have recourse to God in all our needs and temptations.

Of the efficacy of prayers for others.

Of the admirable effects of Communion, and that we should not lightly abstain from it, even for our unworthiness.

The indulgence which Our Lord granted to St. Gertrude. Her ardent desire to be conformed in all things to the Will of God.

How the soul may seek God, and transfigure itself into Him, in four ways.

Reparation for the fall of a Host, which it was feared had been consecrated.

Of the value and efficacy of Confession. How we should conquer the difficulties we feel in approaching the Sacrament of Penance.

The different effects of charity are explained by the comparison of a tree covered with leaves, flowers and fruit.

How afflictions unite the soul to Jesus Christ; and of the effect of an unjust excommunication.

A vision in which St. Gertrude beheld Our Lord communicating [giving Communion to] the sisters.

How we should prepare ourselves to receive the Body of Jesus Christ. Different exercises of piety which St. Gertrude practiced toward this august Sacrament.

The devotion of St. Gertrude to the Mother of God. She is taught to invoke her as the white lily of the adorable Trinity, and the vermillion rose of Heaven.

How the praises offered to the Saints may be referred to God.

How God desires to be sought for by the soul that loves Him; and how He loves us when we suffer.

The Saint receives a triple absolution and benediction from the Blessed Trinity, through the merits of Jesus Christ.

Favors granted to the Saint during the recital of the Divine Office.

Of the abundant virtue which flows from the Heart of Jesus into the faithful soul.

Of the sepulchre of Jesus Christ in the faithful soul, and how to make a spiritual cloister in the Body and Heart of Jesus.

Of the union of the soul with Jesus Christ, and how she is prepared, by the merits of the Saints, to be an agreeable abode for her God.

Of the merit of a good will, and instructions on some words of the Divine Office.

Why God is pleased by images of Jesus crucified.

Of spiritual thirst for God, and of the utility of sufferings.

How insidious are the snares of the demon, and especially when we chant.

That our prayers are certainly heard, even though we do not perceive their effect; and how to supply for our unworthiness in approaching Holy Communion through the merits of Jesus Christ and His Saints.

Of the advantages of frequent Communion, and of receiving the holy Viaticum.

How God corrects the past negligences of a soul who loves Him, and remedies those which may occur in future.

Of the value and importance of spiritual Communion.

Of the utility of meditating on the Passion of Our Lord, and how He offers Himself to the Eternal Father in satisfaction for our sins.

Of the bundle of myrrh, and how we should practice patience in adversity, according to the example of Christ.

That devotion to the Passion of Our Lord promotes union with God.

Of the nails of sweet-smelling cloves which the Saint, moved by love, put into the wounds of the crucifix instead of the iron nails, and of the gratitude which Our Lord testified for this.

How we may remember the Passion of Christ, and proclaim the praises of the Virgin Mother of God, in reciting the Seven Canonical Hours.

That we should give some token of our love to God after exterior occupations.

Of the effects of prayer in adversity.

Prayer composed by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which He promised to hear favorably.

How the just delight in God, and how God takes pleasure in them, especially when they commit all their good desires to Him.

Of two pulsations of the Heart of Jesus.

Of the manner in which we should ask Our Lord for rest or sleep.

Of perfect resignation of ourselves to the Divine Will.

Of the sensible pleasure which the soul finds in God.

Of the languor caused by Divine love.

That the faithful soul ought to abandon herself to the Will of God, for life and death.

Of the benefit we may derive from our faults.

Of the renewal of the Seven Sacraments in her soul, and of fraternal charity.

Of the fidelity which we must only expect to find in God, and of the grace of patience.

The value of a good will.

How we may profit by the merit of others.

Prayer composed by the Saint.

Our Lord shows her His Heart.

Of charity toward an erring brother.

That the care of temporal affairs and exterior duties may be acceptable to God.

Of the merit of patience.

Of the aversion which God has for impatience. And how agreeable it is to Him that we should return thanks for His benefits.

That God is pleased with us when we are displeased with ourselves.

Of the effect of prayers for others.

Instructions for different persons in different states of life.

That the Church is figured by the members of Jesus Christ. How we must act toward those members which are diseased, and in regard to our Superior.

On the spiritual participation of merits.

Of the utility of temptation.

That frequent Communion is agreeable to God.

Of the right manner of exercising zeal.

That we do not always receive the fruit of our prayers immediately.

The value of exact obedience.

Instructions on different subjects.

Of the loss of friends; and how we should offer our trials to God.

Instructions on various subjects.

— PART FOUR —
The Revelations of St. Gertrude

Compiled by the Religious of Her Monastery

With what devotion we ought to prepare ourselves for festivals. Advantages of recommending ourselves to the prayers of others. Our enjoyment of God corresponds to our desires and our capacity to receive it.

Instructions for celebrating the Feast of the Nativity.

For the Feast of the Nativity. Apparition of the Infant Jesus and His Blessed Mother.

For the Feast of St. John the Evangelist.

His virtues, and the manner of imitating His purity.

For the Feast of the Circumcision.

Of the holy name of Jesus; and the renewal of our good intentions at the commencement of the new year.

For the Feast of the Epiphany.

Of the oblations which are acceptable to God.

For the Second Sunday after Epiphany.

St. Gertrude receives absolution from Our Divine Lord. Instructions for Holy Communion.

For the Feast of St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr.

Apparition of St. Agnes. Virtue of the words which she uttered at her death.

For the Feast of the Purification.

For Septuagesima Sunday.

Instruction concerning receiving and abstaining from the Holy Communion.

For Sexagesima.

Instruction on Noah’s ark; a mystical day therein.

For the Saturday before Quinquagesima.

Devotions for the time of the Carnival. Of the value and efficacy of suffering.

For Quinquagesima (continued).

How acceptable good works are to Our Lord during the three days of the Carnival [Mardi Gras]; and how such works obtain merit by union with the Passion of Christ.

Instruction for the First Sunday in Lent.

How the soul is purified and embellished by the merits of Jesus Christ.

For the Monday after the First Sunday in Lent.

Of the true manner of spiritually performing the corporal works of mercy.

For the Second Sunday in Lent.

Of the oblation of the merits of Jesus Christ for the sins of the Church.

For the Third Sunday in Lent.

How we may obtain a share in the merits of the Life of Jesus Christ.

For the Fourth Sunday in Lent.

The Saint is instructed how to atone for the sins of the Church.

For the Feast of St. Gregory, Pope.

Of the glory and prerogatives of St. Gregory, and the recompense reserved for this Doctor of the Church.

For the Feast of the glorious St. Benedict.

The beatitude and glory of this Saint shown to St. Gertrude. The particular recompense reserved for those who observe regular discipline faithfully.

For the Vigil and Feast of the Annunciation.

Exercises of devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

For Passion Sunday.

Exercises of devotion for that day.

For Palm Sunday.

Of spiritual Communion, and other exercises for this holy day.

For Wednesday in Holy Week.

For Holy Thursday.

Of offering the merits of Jesus Christ to obtain pardon for the sins of the Church. Of His love in the adorable Sacrament of the Altar.

For Good Friday.

The Saint is favored with a rapture. Exercises on the Passion of Our Lord.

For Easter Sunday.

How the souls are freed from their pains. Of a good will. How to praise God in the Alleluia.

For Easter Monday.

That God takes an exact account of our merits; and how they are enriched by the merits of Christ.

For Easter Tuesday.

Of the renewal of spiritual espousals.

For Easter Wednesday.

That we can do nothing good without the Divine assistance.

For Thursday in Easter Week.

Of offering our actions to God.

For Low Sunday.

How we should dispose ourselves to receive the Holy Ghost.

For the Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist.

Of the Litanies, and invocation of Saints.

For the Feast of St. John before the Latin Gate.

Of the sweet memory of St. John. How imperfections of which we forget to accuse ourselves in Confession are pardoned by God.

For the Ascension.

The manner of saluting Our Lord’s Five Wounds.

For the Sunday before Ascension Thursday.

Of the merit of condescension and compassion for the infirm. And how we should desire contempt.

For the Rogation Days.

How we should pray for the just, for sinners, and for the souls in Purgatory.

For Ascension day.

Of the renunciation of our own will. And certain exercises of piety for this Festival.

For the Sunday after Ascension.

How to prepare ourselves worthily to receive the Holy Ghost.

For the Vigil and Feast of Pentecost.

Of the gifts of the Holy Ghost. And other exercises for this day.

For Monday in Whitsun Week.

How the oblation of the Sacred Host supplies for our deficiencies. Exercises for the Agnus Dei.

For the Tuesday in Whitsun Week.

How the Sacred Host supplies for all our negligences, and how the Holy Spirit unites Himself in Communion to holy souls.

For the Feast of the Blessed Trinity.

How we may glorify the Most Holy Trinity by our Lord Jesus Christ. And what obstacles human affections place to our advancement.

For the Feast of St. John the Baptist.

Apparition of the Saint. Effects of his intercession.

For the Feast of the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul.

How we may feed Christ’s sheep spiritually. Of the intercession of the Apostles. And the fruit of Holy Communion.

For the Feast of St. Margaret, Virgin and Martyr.

The glory of this Saint, and of the recompense which God reserves for the least good action.

For the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen.

Of true penance and good will.

For the Feast of St. James.

Advantages of the pilgrimage to Compostella. And how we may honor the Saints by Communion.

For the Vigil and Feast of the Assumption.

Of the manner of honoring and saluting the Blessed Virgin.

For the Feast of St. Bernard.

The merit and glory of this Saint.

For the Feast of St. Augustine.

Of the glory and virtue of this Saint. Of the merits of St. Francis and St. Dominic.

For the Festival of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin.

Exercises for celebrating this Feast devoutly. How powerfully the Blessed Virgin protects those who invoke her; and how we may supply for our negligences in her service.

For the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.

Of the exaltation of the Cross. Of the love of enemies. Of the observance of the regular fast. Of the true relics of Jesus Christ.

For the Feast of St. Michael.

Of the faithful care which the Angels have of us, and how we should honor them.

For the Feast of the Eleven Thousand Virgins.

Of the fruits of thanksgiving. That God requires us to fructify His gifts. And of the Response Regnum mundi.

For the Feast of All Saints.

Of the different orders of the Church Militant. How to honor the Saints by thanksgivings, that we may participate in their merits.

For the Feast of St. Elizabeth.

How pleasing it is to the Saints that we should praise God on their account.

For the Feast of St. Catherine.

Of the patronage and merits of this Saint.

For the Dedication of a Church.

For the Dedication of a Chapel.

Of the presence and grace of God in holy places. And how the Angels supply for our obligation of praising God.

Of a marvelous vision in which the Saint beheld Our Lord celebrating Mass.

— PART FIVE —
The Revelations of St. Gertrude

Compiled by the Religious of Her Monastery

How St. Mechtilde prepared for death, and received Extreme Unction.

Of the happy death of St. Mechtilde, and her reward in Heaven. Of the merits and intercession of the Saints. And how to offer the Five Wounds of Christ to supply for our defects.

Of the precious death of Sisters M. and L. Of the exact account taken in Purgatory of their faults, and of the reward of their merits.

How a disobedience was expiated by an illness.

Of the happy death of Sister M. The approbation of these Revelations. And the favors promised through her merits.

Of the agony and death of M.B., and of her blessed soul. How salutary it is to assist the souls in Purgatory.

How the souls of G. and B. were purified for neglecting Confession, and for taking pleasure in earthly things.

Of Sister G.’s happy preparation for death. Her fervent desires and her glory.

The rewards which Brother S. received for his fidelity and benevolence.

How Brother Hermann suffered for obstinacy. And of the assistance which may be obtained in the other life by the prayers of the Saints and the faithful.

How Brother John was rewarded for his labors and punished for his faults.

How the soul of Brother The: (sic) was released by prayers in honor of the Five Wounds.

What Brother F. suffered for indolence and want of sub mission. The efficacy of fervent prayer.

Those who have persevered long in sin are not easily benefited by the prayers of the Church, and are liberated with difficulty.

Of the oblation of the Host. And of prayers for the souls of deceased parents.

Of the effect of the Great Psalter. Of the zeal of Christ for the salvation of souls. And how willing He is to hear the prayers of those who love Him.

Of the severe sufferings of a soldier. And the efficacy of the Great Psalter.

Explanation of the Great Psalter, and of the Seven Masses of St. Gregory.

The reward of praying for the dead. And the punishment of disobedience and detractions.

Of the ardent desire of death which Our Lord enkindled in the soul of Gertrude.

How Gertrude prayed for death.

Of the wounds of Divine love with which the Saint was transfixed.

Our preparations for death are not forgotten before God.

Exercises in preparation for death. And devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

How our Lord Jesus and all the Saints console the souls of the just in their last moments. And with what love Our Lord communicates Himself to His elect in the Sacrament of the Altar.

Of the sweet repose which the Saint enjoyed; and how she satisfied for her negligences.

How the Saint supplied for her negligences in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

How Gertrude prepared for death.

How Our Lord authorized this work.

Oblation of this work to the Divine Glory. Conclusion.

A Collection of Classic Artwork

A Brief Life of Christ

Childhood at Nazareth

John The Bapist

Jesus Begins His Ministry

Journey To Galilee

The Kingdom and the Apostles

Manifestations of Divine Power

Speaking in Parables

Increasing Popularity

Death of John the Baptist

Miracles of the Loaves

The Bread of Life

Training of the Twelve

Visit to Jerusalem

Clash with the Pharisees

Judean Ministry

The Supreme Declaration

Raising of Lazarus

Last Missionary Days

Banquet at Bethany

Second Cleansing of the Temple

Day of Questions

Judas the Betrayer

The Last Supper

Arrest and Trial

Death on Calvary

Risen and Living Still