St. Gertrude and Her Humble Fall
St. Gertrude was at Mass. She was about to go forward and receive Holy Communion. She thought of Christ’s Passion and His descent into hell after His death. She tried to comprehend the expanse and depth of the humility that He had. She thought of, the Divine Himself, going down into sin, darkness, and death. She thought of what it must have been like for Him.
Suddenly, she found herself falling to the very lowermost parts of Purgatory. Still, she humbled herself even further. Then, she heard Jesus say to her, “I will draw you to Me in the Sacrament of the Altar in such a manner that you will draw after you all those who perceive the odor of your desire.”
She had united herself with the very Real Presence in the Eucharist once again.
Source: St. Gertrude, and a religious of her monastery, The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great (Charlotte, North Carolina, Tan Books, 2010) p. 170.
St. Gertrude and Her Prayer for the Souls in Purgatory
Once, just after St. Gertrude had received Communion, she made an offering of the Blessed Sacrament that had just been given her. She prayed that it be of aid to the souls in Purgatory. She then was allowed to see great benefits falling to these souls.
St. Gertrude was amazed and inquired how this could be as she was so unworthy a recipient. The Lord communicated to her that when he visits someone, in the Eucharist, who is free of mortal sin, great benefits are accorded to all in Heaven, on earth or in Purgatory.
Source: St. Gertrude, and a religious of her monastery, The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great (Charlotte, North Carolina, Tan Books, 2010) p. 270.
St. Gertrude and the Discreet Walk
Once, St. Gertrude was about to receive Communion and received the sense that Jesus was there, inviting her to a banquet in heaven. She was even to sit near the Holy Father and eat at His table. Embarrassed at the state of her dress, and deeming herself too ill-prepared for such an honor, she tried to leave. She was intercepted by Jesus Himself, however, who took her to a separate place where He could prepare her. He washed her hands and offered His Passion for her, cleansing her of all her sins. Then, He gave her a necklace, bracelet and rings. Once again, He beckoned that she go to the feast table, walking discreetly this time, without pride at her highly adorned appearance or stature.
She then had an understanding of the meaning of all this. There are those who receive forgiveness and acceptance by the Lord, but yet do not live under the grace of it. They continue to treat others with antagonism, trusting in their own judgments and ways of thinking, and not fully relying on Christ to lead them. That is something available to those who understand what they have been given and may yet receive.
Source: St. Gertrude, and a religious of her monastery, The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great (Charlotte, North Carolina, Tan Books, 2010) p. 169 – 170.
St. Gertrude and the Frost
As people walked into church, they had a fear. Their plantings were being threatened by a severe frost and the ice that had accompanied it. To make matters worse, while in church, a hail fell. As they left the church, the ice had thawed and the hail had stopped. People marveled at the sudden reversal. They did not know what had taken place inside.
During the Mass, Gertrude had prayed for relief. As she was about to step forward to receive Communion, the Lord assured her that her request had been granted. Emboldened, she also asked for the hail to immediately cease. It did, but she was so absorbed in her prayer that she did not realize it. Only as she left the church did she remember her request and the kindness that had been received.
Many then feared that the change was only temporary and that the cold would return. But it did not. The crops were spared and famine was averted.
Source: St. Gertrude, and a religious of her monastery, The Life and Revelations of St. Gertrude the Great (Charlotte, North Carolina, Tan Books, 2010) p. 243.