Also known as Gertrude of Helfta

Memorial 16 November formerly 15 November 17 November in Germany

Profile We don't know who her parents were or what became of them. She was raised in the Cistercian abbey of Helfta, Eisleben, Saxony from age five. An extremely bright student, and gentle person. At age 26, when she had become too enamored of philosophy, she received a vision of Christ who reproached her; from then on she studied the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. Received many visions and mystical instruction, which formed the basis of her writings. Helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart. Her writings have been greatly praised by Saint Teresa and Saint Francis de Sales, and continue in print today. The prayer revealed to her for the Poor Souls in Purgatory has great promises attached to it.

Born 6 January 1256 at Eisleben, Germany

Died on a Wednesday of Easter season in 1302 of natural causes relics in the old monastery of Helfta

Canonized never formerly canonized received equipotent canonization, and a universal feast day declared in 1677 by Pope Clement XII

Patronage nuns ,travellers ,West Indies ,

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