St. Gertrude the Great, Religious

Gertrude was born on January 6, 1256, at or near Eisleben, Germany, and she entered the Benedictine Convent of Helfta at the age of five. There, she came under the care and influence of the abbess, also named Gertrude, and her sister, Mechtilde. Under the guardianship of these two saints, Gertrude soon learned to speak and read Latin and developed a liking for the study of philosophy from the texts in that language. In about 1282, Gertrude experienced the first of a series of visions of Christ which would continue for the remainder of her life. Gertrude began to write of her visions and these writings spread throughout Europe where her reputation as a theologian developed and grew over the next several centuries.

While this saint was especially learned, it was not until she was about twenty-six that she chose the field and ministry that was to lead to sainthood.