Saint Gertrude

Saint Gertrude was born in 1256 A.D. Very little is known about her early life. She attended the monastery school at Saint Mary’s at Helfta, a Benedictine institution. Gertrude joined the monastic community in 1266 and ultimately became a nun. She began experiencing visions at the age of 25. At this point her life, Gertrude shifted her focus from secular knowledge to the spiritual and theological. Her visions continued throughout her life, and she became one of the most highly regarded mystics of the 13th century. She engaged in a form of spirituality known as nuptial mysticism where she began seeing herself as Christ’s bride.

Saint Gertrude died in 1302 and is the patron saint of the West Indies.