Seven depiction of St. Lucy presenting her own eyes.
Olga of Kyiv is today recognised as one of Eastern Orthodoxy’s greatest saints – and her bloodthirsty tale is one of defiance and vengeance, and worth remembering today.
Around this time of year, most people are gearing up for St. Paddy’s Day (or, Saint Patrick's Day). Indeed, every year, March 17th heralds another year of drinking, shenanigans, and green-colored everything. I’m personally looking forward to curling up on my couch and chugging down a large Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s in one disgusting but impressive gulp. Certainly, my Irish ancestors would be proud, I’m sure. While all of this might serve as a fun excuse to be belligerent, there’s actually another reason why March 17th is a very special day. You see, March 17th is the feast day of one very special saint, who is often grossly overlooked by the history books. Her name is Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, and she’s the Patron Saint of… you guessed it: CATS. HISTORY OF SAINT GERTRUDE So, who was Saint Gertrude? Well, born in 628 to a noble family in what is now modern day Belgium, your girl Gerty was one sassy lassie, as God-loving as she was headstrong. At the tender age of 10, when presented with the prospect of marriage to a duke, Gertrude set the record straight and insisted that she wasn’t ever gonna marry no duke. In fact, she wasn’t gonna marry no man at all, so jot that down, thank you very much. Some time later, after the death of Gertrude’s father, Gertrude’s mother Itta shaved her daughter’s head in the “tonsure” style that monks often wear. Gertrude and Itta then travelled to Nivelles and established the Abbey of Nivelles, which served as a Benedictine nunnery. Later, it became a monastery for both nuns and Irish monks alike. A scholarly and charitable woman, Gertrude spent many years of her life as Abbess to the monastery, dedicating her time to helping the sick, the elderly, and the poor. This earned her a reputation as a patron saint of travellers, widows, and the mentally ill. Today, she is called upon to ward off rats, fever, and insanity. Three years after she retired from her position as Abbess, she passed away at age 33. Since her feast day is on March 17th, many look to Saint Gertrude as a patron saint of gardeners as well, since this day usually brings fair weather, ideal for gardening. HOLY CAT So like, you know, that’s cool and all, but where do the cats come in? Come for the Catholicism, stay for the cats, am I right? Well, it all started out with the whole rats and mice thing. Rodents were a huge problem in the Medieval Ages, we know this. When someone wanted to get rid of a rat infestation, they called upon Saint Gertrude. As such, much of the iconography that surrounds Saint Gertrude includes little rats and mice at her feet. Did people in the Medieval times necessarily know that rats carried with them the Black Death? Weirdly enough, probably not. At least not for like, a while. Yikes. In the 1980s, devoted Christian Gertrude-lovers took the leap from associating Gertrude as a rodent-banisher to a protector of cats (who, you know, are also rodent-banishers.) To quote Thomas J. Craughwell, “St. Gertrude is invoked against mice and rats, which has led cat lovers to assume that Gertrude was a cat person, and so the ideal patron of their favorite pet.” Now that’s some logic I can get behind. Clark, Carolee. Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron of Cats and Gardeners. Acrylic Painting. Purchase print here. WAYS TO CELEBRATE Are you just not that into drinking til you see green? Would you rather spend March 17th on your couch, snuggled up with your cats, chugging a large Shamrock Shake? Hey man, I’m right there with you. Saint Paddy’s Day? Never heard of her. We do Saint Gertrude’s Day in this house. Let us give thanks for this Patron Said Of Puddy-cats by having a day in, cracking open a fresh can of tuna and watching #Cats_the_mewvie on Netflix. Are you of the Catholic purr-suasion? Is prayer your “thing”? Why not send one upstairs to Saint Gertrud herself with this prayer written by Ann Fitch: "O holy St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron Saint of Cats, I ask you to pray that my sweet kitty(ies) will always be content, energetic, curious, playful, and good-natured. I pray my cat(s) will be a joy to me and those I love. Carry my cat(s) to the throne of the Father and ask Him to bless my cat(s) with long life and great happiness. Pray dear saint that my cat(s) stay free from illness and that my cat(s) always feel safe, protected, and loved. Thank you for asking blessings upon my cat(s). Ask the Lord to pour out special graces upon all cats and cat owners. May they bring great love to one another and live companionably in peace. Amen." Thumbnail image by Carolee Clark, @kingofmicestudios on etsy Article Written by Diomira Keane
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Do you know that today, the 17th of March, is the day of St.Gertrude of Nivelles, patron saint of cats?
Just popping in to share the latest painting, St Gertrude of Nivelles - patron saint of cats, gardeners and travelers... I had so much fun painting her in this sort of folk art/iconic fashion, and do hope she finds a good home for her feast day (March 17th). She's listed on Etsy now. Thanks for taking a peek, and I'll be back soon with a few new Easter/Ostara pieces! Until then, ♥ Carolee
Detailed article about St. Rita of Cascia including historical and biographical information, patronages, associated images, appearance in art and related prayers.
Did you know that there is a patron saint for everything. Animals, alcoholics, even serial killers have their patron saints in a system that originated in Roman times and is as old as Christianity.
The patron saint of Wales was a teetotal vegetarian who was born in a storm.
St Piran, patron saint of tin-miners, and also regarded as the patron saint of Cornwall. Kernow pride in the Perranporth dunes.
O SAINT LUCY, you preferred to let your eyes be torn out instead of denying the faith and defiling your soul; and God, through an extraordinary miracle, replaced them with another ....
A saint is a person who has been canonized (declared a saint) by the Church. This is normally considered to be an infallible decree of the Pope. Whilst most saints are canonized, a number are recognized as saints despite having not been canonized. All of the Old Testament prophets fall in to this category. Throughout
St Gemma Galgani website
March 17 is the feast day of St. Gertrude, the patron saint of cats.Considered the cat lady of the Catholic church, I dig deeper into her relationship with cats and art.
There are be more than 20 different bingo games specifically designed to provide information and intruction about the Catholic faith. What a wonderful teaching tool to use in class, Sunday School, a church event, or a family game night. Not enough...
Saint Expedite - patron saint for a problem which needs to be solved immediately. Many turn to him for financial help or in legal matters.
March 17 is the feast day of St. Gertrude, the patron saint of cats.Considered the cat lady of the Catholic church, I dig deeper into her relationship with cats and art.
Sometimes we need a little extra help.
Yves Hélory de Kermartin (1253 - 1303) est l'avocat des humbles et des opprimés. Dès le début de sa vie universitaire à Paris et Orléans, tout le pécule dont le gratifient ses parents sera mis au service des étudiants moins fortunés que lui. Nommé...
There are instances in every person's life when it seems that a problem is insurmountable or a cross is unbearable. In these cases, pray to the patron saints of impossible causes: St. Rita of Cascia, St. Jude Thaddeus, St. Philomena and St. Gre…
Here are eleven saints and blesseds who are also patrons of various mental health issues.
By George, he's got it! The future king shares his name with six of his royal predecessors, as well as a host of Georges from the worlds of music, literature, TV, cinema and football. A lot to live up to …
A few years ago, my friend Jen, over at Forever, For Always, No Matter What, gave me the idea of taking our annual drive to view the Christmas lights on this saint of light's feast day! (How appropriate is that!) St. Lucia (or St. Lucy) - December 13 She is a light bearer to guide us through the winter skies of Advent. Her story can be found here. *********************** And so we adopted December 13 as our official Christmas light viewing night. After dinner, we pile into the van with our Christmas music in tow, and head out to see the beauty of all the Christmas lights. What an easy way to not only celebrate this saint of light, but to live the liturgy in our home! Afterward, we make some hot cocoa and read a couple of books … I just LOVE being Catholic! Advent blessings! ~ Patty ~
Instead of celebrating Saint Patrick's Day, Summer would much prefer recognizing Saint Gertrude, the patron saint of cats.
Google has continued its long tradition of St. Andrew's Day Doodle's with one featuring the Loch Ness Monster
Miracle Novena to St. Expedite: I call forth the Power and presence of Saint Expedite in my time of financial trouble. I offer my body, heart
A list of patron saints of students, from the medieval St. Catherine to the modern St. Gemma, including great scholars like St. Thomas Aquinas.
24x30in, egg-tempera and gold leaf on wood panel
Sometimes we need a little extra help.
Olga of Kyiv is today recognised as one of Eastern Orthodoxy’s greatest saints – and her bloodthirsty tale is one of defiance and vengeance, and worth remembering today.
605—620 Catholic tradition promotes saints for various devotions and in support of numerous causes. These include the feast of St. Dymphna, known for miracles involving mental health, anxieties and…
