Gertrude the Great

Saint

Gertrude of Helfta, O.S.B.
Saint; Gertrude of Helfta, O.S.B.
	Saint Gertrude of Helfta in ecstasy
Virgin and Abbess
Born	January 6, 1256; Eisleben, Thuringia, Holy Roman Empire
Died	c. 1302 (aged 45-46); Helfta, County of Mansfeld, Holy Roman Empire
Venerated in	Catholic Church; The Episcopal Church;
Canonized	1677 (equipollent) by Pope Innocent XI
Feast	November 16 (Catholic Church); November 21 (The Episcopal Church);
Attributes	cross, radiant heart
Patronage	West Indies

Gertrude the Great or Gertrude of Helfta (January 6, 1256 – November 17, 1302) was a German Benedictine nun and mystic who was a member of the Monastery of Helfta. While herself a Benedictine, she had strong ties to the Cistercian Order; her monastery in Helfta is currently run by nuns of the Cistercian Order.