Saint Gertrude of Nivelles is the patron saint of the North Brabant cities of Geertruidenberg, Breda, and Bergen-op-Zoom. Gertrude was born in Belgium around the year 626 to an affluent and influential family.
The 17th of March is Saint Gertrude of Nivelles Day. Saint Gertrude was an abbess who co-founded the Abbey of Nivelles with her mother, Itta. She was born approximately in 626. Her origin is present-day Belgium. She is the patron saint of travelers, cultivators, widows, recently deceased souls, souls in purgatory, rodents, and, more recently, cats. The majority of her information can be found in an antiquated French book titled “Vita” by an unknown author. The book’s complete title is “Vita Sanctae Geretrudis and the Additum Nivialense de Fuilano.”
Saint Gertrude of Nivelles is the patron saint of the North Brabant cities of Geertruidenberg, Breda, and Bergen-op-Zoom. Gertrude was born in Belgium around the year 626 to an affluent and influential family. Gertrude’s father is known as “Pepin of Landen,” and he was instrumental in installing Dagobert I as monarch of Austrasia. Christianity was not as prevalent during this time period as it is today. Amandus, the bishop of Maastricht, was a significant historical figure in Gertrude and Itta of Metz’s lives. Very few historical records exist regarding Gertrude’s early existence. Evidently, her father passed away between the years 640 and 650, and her mother was compelled to build a monastery and choose the monastic life. This enabled Gertrude to avoid further candidates seeking her family’s wealth and political influence.
Itta passed away around the year 652, and Gertrude became the abbess of the monastery. She devoted the majority of her time to caring for the sick, elderly, widows, and infants. She exhibited charisma, sophistication beyond her years, scholastic aptitude, and a charitable disposition. During her brief tenure as abbess, her renown and influence expanded. Two miracles are attributed to Gertrude’s divine essence in the book “Vita.” The first miraculous is an hour-long vision in which Gertrude saw a transparent, flaming sphere descending above her. A second miracle is the sailors’ escape from a tempest and a monstrous sea creature by pleading with Gertrude.
At a very early age, her life of charity and fasting caught up with her. She drained her body through consistent fasting, abstinence, and vigils. Following her passing, a pleasant scent filled the chamber. Gertrude of Nivelles was immediately canonized and recognized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church due to her virtuous life and the fragrance emanating from her corpse.
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Ultan, who is widely believed to have been a pilgrim, accurately foretold that Gertrude would pass away on March 17, and he was correct.
St. Gertrude of Nivelles’ feast day coincides with St. Patrick’s Day.
The book “Vita” is written as if the author witnessed Saint Gertrude’s death.
St. Gertrude’s original reliquary was shattered into 337 pieces by a German bomb in 1940, but it was later rebuilt.
St. Gertrude is frequently depicted as the patron saint of cats, which is a recent development as the church has never associated her with felines.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 17 | Friday |
| 2024 | March 17 | Sunday |
| 2025 | March 17 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 17 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 17 | Wednesday |
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