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St.Gertrude the Great
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https://youtu.be/Ymbdze-3Hi4?feature=shared
Bahasa Malaysia & English
✝️𝑩𝙖𝒉𝙖𝒔𝙖 𝙈𝒂𝙡𝒂𝙮𝒔𝙞𝒂✝️
𝗦𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗬𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗴
Dilahirkan: 6 Januari 1256
Eisleben, Thuringia (Empayar Rom) zaman moden Jerman tengah
Meninggal dunia : 17 November 1302 (berumur 46 tahun)
Biara Benedictine Helfta, Eisleben,
Thuringia (Empayar Rom), Zaman moden Jerman tengah
Dikanunkan : Diiktiraf sebagai Orang Kudus pada tahun 1677 (equipollent) oleh Paus Innocent XI
*Equipollent: Satu bentuk kanonisasi yang berlaku apabila Paus mengiktiraf dan memerintahkan penghormatan umum dan sejagat terhadap seorang Hamba Tuhan, tanpa melalui prosedur yang biasanya diperlukan oleh kanonisasi formal, kerana penghormatan kepada orang suci itu telah dijalankan sejak zaman purba dan berterusan oleh Gereja.
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮 & 𝗞𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗽𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗹
Saint Gertrude dari Helfta, juga dikenali sebagai Saint Gertrude Yang Agung, dilahirkan pada tahun 1256 di Eisleben (juga kampung halaman Martin Luther), Jerman. Dia hidup pada masa yang sama dengan beberapa orang orang kudus yang hebat seperti St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis of Assisi, dan St. Dominic.
Diandaikan bahawa kemungkinan besar dia yatim piatu semasa dia mula-mula memasuki biara Helfta semasa dia baru berusia lima tahun. Biara ini ialah biara Benedictine yang didedikasikan untuk Bonda Maria.
Dia menjadi biarawati pada usia yang sangat muda dan dijaga oleh Saint Matilda dari Hackeborn, yang dia panggil kawan dan gurunya yang kemudiannya mempunyai pengaruh yang besar ke atasnya.
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗻
Saint Gertrude menerima pendidikannya di biara. Oleh kerana biara Helfta terkenal dengan pendirian mereka yang mengutamakan kesarjanaan dan pembelajaran, sudah pasti dia juga diberi pendidikan yang terbaik di dalam suasana monastik itu.
Selepas melalui tempoh masa tertentu, minatnya beralih daripada mempelajari ilmu sekular (pengetahuan yang tidak berkaitan dengan kepercayaan agama atau rohani) kepada mempelajari teologi dan penulisan dalam kitab suci serta karya bapa bapa gereja awal seperti Saint Augustine, Gregory dan Bernard. Ini disebabkan oleh penglihatan mistik yang diterimanya sejak dia berumur 25 tahun yang berterusan sehingga akhir hayatnya.
𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗸 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲
Saint Gertrude yang agung terkenal dengan pengalaman dan penglihatan mistiknya, yang didokumentasikan dalam tulisannya "The Herald of Divine Love" dan "The Revelations of Saint Gertrude."
Dia menulis secara menyeluruh tentang Hati Kudus Yesus dan juga menulis doa yang apabila diucapkan, boleh membebaskan 1000 jiwa dari api penyucian.
Berikut adalah beberapa aspek utama penglihatan mistiknya:
1) Penglihatan Hati Kudus Yesus: Mungkin penglihatan mistiknya yang paling terkenal, Saint Gertrude mempunyai penglihatan di mana dia meletakkan kepalanya berhampiran luka di sisi Yesus Kristus semasa Misa. Dalam penglihatan ini, dia mendengar degupan jantung Yesus, melambangkan cinta yang tidak terhingga kepada manusia.
2) Penglihatan tentang kelahiran Yesus: Dia menyaksikan Perawan Maria melahirkan bayi Yesus. Dia merasakan perasaan gembira dan memberi pemujaan yang besar semasa penglihatan ini.
3) Penglihatan tentang Malaikat: Penglihatan tentang malaikat yang sentiasa membimbing dan menghiburnya dalam perjalanan rohaninya. Dia mempunyai hubungan yang sangat rapat dengan malaikat penjaganya.
4) Perbualan dengan Yesus: Sepanjang hidupnya, dia mempunyai banyak perbualan dengan Yesus. Perbualan ini sering berkisar kepada tema cinta dan belas kasihan ilahi, dan misteri iman.
5) Wahyu tentang Api Penyucian: Saint Gertrude menerima penglihatan tentang sifat api penyucian, penyucian jiwa selepas kematian, dan kepentingan doa dan Misa bagi jiwa-jiwa di api penyucian.
Intipati ajaran Saint Gertrude dan bimbingan rohaninya ialah:
1) Cintai Kristus: Dia menekankan kepentingan merasakan dan mengalami kasih Yesus dalam kehidupan kita.
2) Berdoa Lebih Banyak: Menggalakkan orang ramai berdoa secara teratur dan mendalam untuk berhubung dengan Tuhan.
3) Rendah Hati dan Bersyukur: Amalkan kerendahan hati dengan mengakui kelemahan dan batas diri kita dan bersyukur atas apa yang dikurniakan.
4) Tunjukkan Kasih dan Belas Kasihan: Jadilah seorang yang baik dan kasihi orang lain dengan melihat Kristus dalam diri kita.
5) Berdoa untuk Almarhum: Mengingati dan mendoakan mereka yang telah meninggal dunia.
6) Belajar Tentang Iman: Dapatkan pemahaman yang baik tentang kepercayaan kita.
7) Percaya kepada Rahmat Tuhan: Percaya kepada pengampunan dan kasih sayang Tuhan.
𝗞𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 & 𝗞𝗲𝗸𝘂𝗱𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻
Saint Gertrude tidak dikaitkan dengan mukjizat tertentu seperti orang orang kudus yang lain, tetapi kehidupan dan tulisannya dianggap luar biasa. Dia adalah satu-satunya orang kudus wanita yang membawa gelaran 'Yang Agung' dan dirujuk sebagai "Saint Gertrude yang Agung."
Dia meninggal dunia pada tahun 1302 di usia 46 tahun di biara Benedictine Helfta, di mana dia menghabiskan sebahagian besar hidupnya sebagai seorang biarawati. Kematiannya adalah disebabkan oleh penyakit semulajadi.
Dalam kes orang kudus tertentu, seperti Saint Gertrude, proses kanonisasi formal, seperti yang kita fahami hari ini, tidak wujud pada masa kehidupan mereka.
Namun demikian, kekudusan, kebajikan, dan sumbangan mereka kepada keimanan telah diakui oleh Gereja dan orang ramai, yang membawa kepada penghormatan mereka sebagai orang kudus.
Jenazah St Gertrude Yang Agung pada asalnya diletakkan di Biara Helfta Lama berhampiran Eisleben, Jerman. Bagaimanapun pada hari ini, lokasi peninggalan beliau tidak diketahui.
𝗡𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻
Dia adalah pelindung dan orang kudus pendoa untuk orang orang Carribean, sangti penaung untuk perjalanan jasmani dan rohani, pendoa bagi yang menderita secara rohani atau emosi, penolong dan pendoa untuk pembebasan jiwa jiwa di api penyucian.
✝️𝑬𝙣𝒈𝙡𝒊𝙨𝒉✝️
𝗦𝗧. 𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗗𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧
𝐍𝐨𝐯 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭'𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 (𝟏)
𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗢𝗡 NOV 16
Born : January 6, 1256
Eisleben, Thuringia (Roman Empire)
Modern day central Germany
Died : November 17, 1302 (aged 46)
Benedictine monastery of Helfta, Eisleben,
Thuringia (Roman Empire), Modern day
central Germany
Canonized : 1677 (equipollent) by Pope Innocent XI
Equipollent (Equivalent canonization) :
is a form of canonization that occurs when the Pope recognizes and orders the public and universal veneration of a Servant of God, without having gone through the procedure normally required by formal canonization, because veneration of the saint has been carried out since ancient times and continuously by the Church.
𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 & 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲
Saint Gertrude of Helfta, also known as Saint Gertrude the Great, was born in 1256 in Eisleben (also hometown of Martin Luther), Germany. She lived during the same time as many of the great saints including St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Dominic.
She was said to be an orphan when she first entered the monastery of Helfta when she was just around five years old. This is a Benedictine monastery dedicated to Blessed Mary.
She became a nun at a very young age and was taken care of by Saint Matilda of Hackeborn, whom she called her friend and her teacher and who later would have a great influence over her.
𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱
Saint Gertrude received her education in the monastery. Since the monastery of Helfta was renowned for its devotion to scholarship and learning, she would have received a solid education within the monastic setting.
Over time, her interest shifted from learning the secular knowledge (knowledge that is not related to religious or spiritual beliefs) to studying the theology and scriptures and works of early fathers such as Saint Augustine, Gregory and Bernard. This was due to the visions that she kept receiving since she was 25 years old that continued until her death.
𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆
Saint Gertrude the Great is known for her mystical experiences and visions, which are documented in her writings "The Herald of Divine Love" and "The Revelations of Saint Gertrude."
She wrote extensively about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and also wrote a prayer that when said, can release 1000 souls from purgatory.
Here are some key aspects of her mystical visions:
1) Vision of the Sacred Heart: Perhaps her most famous vision, Saint Gertrude had a vision in which she rested her head near the wound in the side of Christ during a Mass. In this vision, she heard the heartbeat of Jesus, symbolizing His infinite love for humanity.
2) Vision of the Nativity: Vision of the Nativity of Jesus, in which she witnessed the Virgin Mary giving birth to the infant Jesus. She experienced great joy and adoration during this vision.
3) Visions of Angels: Visions of angels, who guided and comforted her on her spiritual journey. She had a particularly close relationship with her guardian angel.
4) Conversations with Jesus: Throughout her life, she had many conversations with Jesus in her visions. These conversations often revolved around the themes of love, divine mercy, and the mysteries of faith.
5) Revelations about Purgatory: Saint Gertrude received insights into the nature of purgatory, the purification of souls after death, and the importance of prayers and Masses for the souls in purgatory.
The essence of Saint Gertrude's teachings and spiritual guidance are:
1) Love Christ: She emphasized the importance of feeling and experiencing the love of Jesus in our lives.
2) Pray More: Encouraged people to pray regularly and deeply to connect with God.
3) Be Humble and Grateful: Practice humility by acknowledging your limitations and be thankful for your blessings.
4) Show Love and Compassion: Be kind and loving to others, seeing Christ in them.
5) Pray for the Deceased: Remember and pray for those who have passed away.
6) Learn About Your Faith: Seek a better understanding of your Christian beliefs.
7) Trust in God's Mercy: Believe in God's forgiveness and love.
𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱
Saint Gertrude is not typically associated with specific miracles like some other saints, but her life and writings are considered remarkable in themselves. She is the one and only female saint that carries the title ‘the Great’ and is referred to as "Saint Gertrude the Great."
She died in 1302 at the Benedictine monastery of Helfta, where she had spent most of her life as a nun. Her death is generally attributed to natural causes, possibly related to illness or old age.
In the case of certain saints, like Saint Gertrude, formal canonization processes, as we understand them today, did not exist at the time of their lives.
Nevertheless, their holiness, virtues, and contributions to the faith were acknowledged by the Church and the faithful, leading to their veneration as saints.
The remains of Saint Gertrude the Great originally rested at the Old Helfta Monastery near Eisleben, Germany. Today, however, the location of her relics is unknown.
𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲
She is the protector and intercessor of the west Indie/Carribean, patron saint for physical and spiritual journey, intercessor for the spiritually or emotionally afflicted, assistance to pray for the release of souls in purgatory.
St Gertrude the Great is the one & only Female Saint who carries the title "the Great".
An oil painting called The visions of Saint Gertrude the Great painted by Spanish painter Isidoro Arredondo (1655-1702).
Prayer of St Gertrude the Great for all the holy souls in purgatory.
View of Monastery of Helfta in Eisleben, Saxony, Germany.
Monastery of Helfta where Gertrude of Helfta, Mechtild of Hakeborn and Mechthild of Magdeburg lived and wrote.
A simple and serene church.
The monastery was ruined and emptied in the 16th century. Restoration began in 1999.
Under the patronage of Bishop Leo Nowak, Bishop of Magedeburgh, several organizations untied to raise money for the diocese to buy the property from the government and to rebuild the church and some monastic buildings.
In 1999 a small group of Cistercian nuns with their Abbess, M. Assumpta Schenkl, took up residence and as of 2001 the work has successfully restored the Church and two buildings. It is once more occupied and became a 'community of prayer and work'.
Present day Cistercian Sisters
Cistercian is a religious order branched off from Benedictine order and follows the rules of Saint Benedict.
-Article researched by Lovoline M.Chin, Nov 1st , 2023
Sources:
1. Gertrude the Great. (2023, October 20). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertru de_the_Great#Life
2. Catholic Online Organization (n.d.). St.Gertrude the Great. Catholic Online. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=424
3. Joseph , F. (2020, April 29). Visions of St. Gertrude the Great. Catholic365. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.catholic365.com/article/11367/visions-of-st-gertrude-the-great.html
4. Hannah, C. (n.d.). 7 Interesting Things You Should Know About St. Gertrude the Great. The Mystical Humanity of Christ Publishing. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.coraevans.com/blog/article/7-interesting-things-you-should-know-about-st-gertrude-the-great
5. (2023, October 26). St. Gertrude the Great. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved November 1, 2023, from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-gertrude-the-great-715