Saturday of the Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Saints: Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn (c.1241-1298); Saint Rogue Gonzalez and his Companions (-1628); Saint Raphael Kalinowski (1835-1907)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 41 The Times for Meals

Mass:  Rev 11:4-18; Resp Ps 144; Lk 20:27-40

 

My stronghold, my deliverer.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF VIRGINS,

MARY, QUEEN OF ALL DISCIPLES OF SAINT BENEDICT,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON, 

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

One might ask why these photos of me with my patron are on for today when we commemorated Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta on the 16th. It is for this reason. Today we commemorate Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn, another great of Helfta. Mechtilde was the sister of the abbess, her blood sister, Gertrude of Hackeborn. Called "God's Nightengale," and "distinguished by her humility, her fervor; her friendliness, the clarity and the innocence of her life, and by the familiarity and intensity with which she lived her relationship with God, the Virgin, and the saints," Mechtilde of Hackeborn was still very young when she "became the principal of the convent's school, choir mistress, and novice mistress, offices that she fulfilled with talent and unflagging zeal, not only for the benefit of the nuns but for anyone who wanted to draw on her wisdom and goodness" (Pope Benedict XVI, General Audience, September 29, 2010). And not only that. In 1261, when the young girl of four or five named Gertrude came to the convent at Helfta, Mechtilde became her mentor. Just twenty years old at the time, Mechtilde taught and guided Gertrude in the spiritual life until she not only made her into an excellent disciple but also her confidante (Pope Benedict XVI). Is there more to be said? Surely. However, we will leave it to the following exchange between Gertrude, Dame Mechtilde and the Lord that has something to say about the icon above.

Gertrude besought Dame Mechtilde to petition the Lord for her, especially for the virtues of gentleness and patience, of which she thought she had much need. Praying as she had been asked, Mechtilde received this answer from the Lord: "The gentleness which pleases me in her takes its name from 'dwelling with' or 'indwelling.' And because I dwell in her soul, she should be like a young bride, who enjoys the presence of her spouse all the time; and if she must go out, she takes Him by the hand and makes Him follow her. And so each time that she finds it necessary to leave the repose of interior enjoyment to gain profit by instructing others, she must first make the sign of the cross of salvation on her breast and call upon my name, just that one word, and then, in my grace, she can confidently say whatever occurs to her. The patience which pleases me in her takes its name from 'peace' and 'science' or 'knowledge'; and such is her diligence in acquiring the virtue of patience that even in adversity she does not lose the peace of her heart, but always patiently strives to remember why it is that she suffers. Of course it is out of love that she does it, as a sign of true fidelilty."

(Gertrude of Helfta, The Herald of Divine Love, I, 16)

SAINT MECHTILDE OF HACKEBORN,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT GERTRUDE OF HACKEBORN,

SAINT MECHTILDE OF MAGDEBURG,

SAINT ROGUE GONZALEZ AND HIS COMPANIONS,

SAINT RAPHAEL KALINOWSKI,

PRAY FOR US.

Please note: Saint Gertrude the Great is not to be confused with Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn, the blood sister of Saint Mechtilde of Hackeborn, who is not to be confused with Saint Mechtilde of Magdeburg, a Beguine who sought refuge at Helfta later in life, therefore, also becoming another great of Helfta. God is praised. 

Friendly reminder: Tomorrow is the big day to choose your patron saint for the new liturgical year, or rather, be open to letting one choose you! Ready or not, here one comes. 

Today's photos: See the text above. Image of the icon of Saint Gertrude the Great of Helfta through the hand of Sister Suzanne, ocso, who also took the photo of two Gertrudes on November 9th, this Gertrude's 58th birthday. 

© Gertrude Feick 2022