YE SHALL NOT POSSESS ANY BEAST, MY DEAR SISTERS, SAVE ONLY A CAT...Acren Riwle (The Nun's Rule)





*St. Gertrude of Nivelles is the Patron Saint of Cats (and those who love them)

St. Gertrude is also the Saint of:

. Travelers in Search of Lodging
. Gardeners
. Herbalists

Invoked Against

. Rodents
. Fear of Rats & Mice
. Fever




Gertrude of Nivelles was born in 626 daughter of Itta and Pepin I of Landen. Her parents and her older sister, Begga, were know for their piety. In 640 after the death of Pepin, Itta founded a double monastery (one for monks and one for nuns) at Nivelles, Belgium. She appointed Gertrude Abbess and acted as her advisor.

Gertrude soon became known for her hospitality and generosity to travelers and pilgrims including the Irish Missionaries, Saints Foillan and Ultan.

Upon Itta's death in 652, Gertrude gave over the management of her monastery to a few trusted nuns and monks, in order that she might gain more time for study, meditation and prayer. Her mother left a large estate on which Gertrude built churches, monasteries and hospices.

At age 30, possibly weakened by her fasting and other personal austerities, she resigned her position as Abbess in favor of her niece, Saint Wilfetrudis.

A mystic and visionary, Gertrude died on March 17, 659 at the significant age of 33. She was venerated as a Saint immediately after her death, and a church later was erected in her honor by Agnes, the third Abbess of Nivelles.

A large following venerating Saint Gertrude spread widely throughout Belgium, neighboring countries and England where quite a bit of folklore accumulated.

Her patronage of travelers comes from her hospitality toward them. There also is a legend she sent some of her charges on an ocean voyage to a distant country, promising that no misfortune would befall them on the journey. When they were under sail a large sea monster threatened to capsize their ship, but disappeared upon the invocation of Gertrude's name. In commemoration of this event travelers during the Middle Ages drant Sinte Geerts Minne or Gertrudenminte before settingn out on their journey. Belgium's still call a "drink for the road" a St. Gertrude's Cup.

She is also recognized as the patroness of other travelers --- those who have recently died. These souls were popularly supposed to experience a 3-day journey to the next world, spending the first night under the care of Gertrude and the second under St. Michael the Archangel.

In art Gertrude is often depicted with mice (some say symbolizing the souls in purgatory to whom she had a great devotion) running up her pastoral staff. She is also shown holding a large mouse, spinning or holding a distaff, and/or with a cat near her. As late as the 10th century, offerings of gold and silver mice were left at her shrine in Cologne. She is still invoked against rodents, and it is said that water from her well and cakes baked in her convent will keep them away. Her power over rodents apparently accounts for her traditional patronage of cats.

Gertrude is considered one of the Patron Saints of gardeners, because fine weather on her feast day means it is time to begin spring planting.





*Courtesy of Saints Preserved






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