Saint Gertrude the Great: A model of faith and humility

The Pope today stressed the importance of prayer, and faith during his catechesis, at his weekly general audience.

Pope Benedict arrived into an autumnal but sunny St Peter’s Square on Wednesday to be greeted by thousands of pilgrims and tourists.

As has become customary at his weekly general audience the Holy Father in his catechesis this Wednesday focused on great women of the early church, recalling the figure of Saint Gertrude the Great.

“Saint Gertrude is the only woman of Germanic descent to be called “Great”, an honour due to her exceptional natural and supernatural gifts. As a youth, Gertrude was intelligent, strong and decisive, but also impulsive. With humility she asked others for advice and prayer. Eventually, she experienced a deep conversion: in her studies she passed from worldly pursuits to the sacred sciences, and in her monastic observance she moved from concern with external things to a life of intense prayer.”

The Pope then went on to talk about this Saints written works which drew on spiritual themes .

“In her writings, she sought to explain the truths of the faith with clarity and simplicity, while not failing to develop spiritual themes associated with Divine Love. In her religious practice, she pursued prayer with devotion and faithful abandonment to God. Dear friends, may we learn from Saint Gertrude the Great how to love Christ and His Church with humility and faith, and to cultivate our personal prayer through an intense participation in the Holy Mass and the sacred liturgy.”
Towards the end of his audience the Holy Father welcomed all the English visitors and pilgrims and he especially extended his greetings to the Candidates for Diaconate Ordination from the Pontifical North American College.

One of those candidates listening to the Pope’s words was Seminarian Jim Baron from Colorado Springs in the U.S.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to be with the Holy Father today, especially with all my parents and friends and family, with my bishop as a real sign of the importance of the family.”

The Pope also had greeting for to the new students and staff at the Pontifical Beda College, and to pilgrims from, Dublin in Ireland.