We are concluding our Lenten reflections on the Benedictine Women from our Monastery windows. The saint to the very right in our window is St. Gertrude.  Above, you can see her cropped out of the window.  You will notice the heart she is holding in her hand.
Gertrude was born on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6, 1256, in Eisleben, Thuringia.  At the age of four, she entered the monastery school at the monastery of St. Mary at Helfta. Gertrude was given to the care of St. Mechtilde, younger sister of the Abbess Gertrude, and joined the monastic community in 1266.  It is clear from her own writings that she received a thorough education in a variety of subjects.


In 1281, at the age of twenty-five, she experienced the first of a series of visions that continued throughout her life.  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. She died at Helfta, near Eisleben, Saxony, around 1302.


One of her books are the Spiritual Exercises, which are grounded in themes and rites of Church liturgy for occasions of Baptism, conversion, commitment, discipleship, union with God, praise of God, and preparation for death. Gertrude's Spiritual Exercises are for all who seek to deepen their prayer life and spirituality.

Gertrude was drawn to the heart of Jesus.
Jesus' heart holds love -
love for us.
Love that ultimately led him to his passion, his cross.
The heart and the cross are intimately connected.

As we are approaching Holy Week, connect with the heart of Jesus, with his love for you.

This week, we are seeking inspiration from another Benedictine woman, who appears in our chapel window at St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA. She is the second from the right. Her name is St. Mechtild of Hackeborn. (The picture shown here is not from our window!)

Mechtild, also known as Mechtildis was born at the castle of Helfta near Eisleben, Germany about the year 1240. At the age of seven she visited her older sister, Gertrude of Hackeborn (not to be confused with St. Gertrude the Great ) at the Monastery of Rodarsdorf and started her schooling there.

She was described as a very gifted and amiable young woman, charming, intelligent and a lovely voice. In 1258 Gertrude moved the monastery to Helfta and Mechtild joined her and was appointed choirmistress as well as being in charge of the cloister school. It was in this position that St. Gertrude the Great came under her care.

Mechtild experienced an intimate mystical relationship with Christ in her prayer. She shared some of these experiences and Gertrude wrote them down, which Mechtild later edited. These writings are known as the "Book of Special Grace", and sometimes also called, "Revelations of St. Mechtild." 

She died on November 19, 1298 at the age of 58.

In what way could St. Mechtild inspire us on our Lenten journey?
As we have reflected on Lectio Divina over the past couple months before the beginning of Lent, I would like to direct your attention to Mechtild's sharing about her relationship with Christ. Her sharing inspired Gertrude to write. Mechtild's mystical experiences have been preserved for us; for our own lectio.

This week, ponder on your own relationship with Christ and what you would like to write down. Journaling helps you express what this relationship is about.