St. Gertrude the Great, ora pro nobis!

In 1281, at the age of 25, she experienced the first of a series of visions that continued throughout her life, and which changed the course of her life. Her priorities shifted away from secular knowledge and toward the study of Scripture and theology. Gertrude devoted herself strongly to personal prayer and meditation, and began writing spiritual treatises for the benefit of her monastic sisters.   Gertrude became one of the great mystics of the 13th century. Together with her friend and teacher St. Mechtild, she practiced a spirituality called "nuptial mysticism," that is, she came to see herself as the bride of Christ.

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

Hail, White Lily, of the ever-peaceful and glorious Trinity!

Hail, Vermilion Rose, the delight of Heaven, of whom the King of Heaven was born and by whose milk He was nourished! Do thou feed our souls with the effusions of thy Divine influences.

Attrib. to Isidoro Arredondo (c1657-1712),

The Vision of St. Gertrude the Great (St Gertrude of Helfta) 
with St Augustine and the Holy Trinity (c1673-1712)

The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham

St. Gertrude kneels at the bottom on the right in a nun's habit with a chain around her neck composed of the letters GERTR and a hear-shaped locket with a representation of the Infant Christ. 

The Museum speculates on the identity of the male on the left: 

"The male saint with the flaming heart may be Saint Augustine, who also wrote on the subject of visionary contemplation."

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