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St. Gertrude Feast Day
Saint Gertrude Neville lived during the seventh century
in Belgium and was well known for her hospitality to
travelers and her generous donations of land for the
building of monasteries and hospices. St. Gertrude's
feast day is March 17.
Legend of Saint Gertrude
Legend has it that Saint Gertrude sent members of her
monastery on a voyage to a far off land. She promised
them that no harm would come to them on their trip.
While they were sailing, a huge sea monster came upon
them. The creature disappeared into the sea when an
invocation to Saint Gertrude was said. During the Middle
Ages, pilgrims would drink the Gertrudenminte for a
safe journey.
Saint Gertrude Patron Saint
Saint Gertrude is the patron saint of the following:
* Against fear of mice
* Against fear of rats
* Against fever
* Cats
* Against insanity
* Against mental illness
* Against mice
* Against suriphobia
* Gardeners
* Travelers
* The poor
* Recently deceased people
* Sickness
* Widows
Saint Gertrude Patron Saint of Cats
Although Saint Gertrude is the patron of many causes,
she is most popular for her patronage of cats. Saint
Gertrude Nivelles is often portrayed with mice around
her feet or running up her staff. Symbolically, the
mice represent the souls in purgatory whom she prayed
for during her life. Many times, Saint Gertrude is shown
holding a mouse in her hands with a cat nearby. Up until
the nineteenth century, people would leave gifts of
gold and silver mice at her shrine. Saint Gertrude's
name is invoked to repel all types of rodents. It is
believed that the bread she baked in her monastery kept
rodents away which is why she was named patron saint
of cats.
Today, many Christians wear a Saint Gertrude medal
or a Saint Gertrude necklace and invoke her name for
protection of their cats. They pray for the well-being
of their pets and for all cats that may be abandoned
or mistreated.
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Click on Images
for Complete Selection of St. Gertrude medallions
and pendants, Prices and to Purchase.
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St. Gertrude Necklace. Have
the jewelry store engrave the recipient's name
on the back of the pendant along with a short
message or date if appropriate.
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St. Gertrude Charm is the perfect
size for a charm bracelet or a necklace for a
child. All gold filled and sterling silver pendants
come with a chain.
Click on image.
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