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Happy Saint Gertrude’s Day

Seriously. Especially if you love cats!

By Dana StewartPublished about a year ago 1 min read
Top Story - March 2023
53
Saint Gertrude saving a house on fire mural of the Crosier (image from Wikipedia)

Nivelles hails a Saint adopted

Feast Day with Patrick is co-opted

No banished snakes or green beer

Feline lovers would cheer

The tale of Saint Gertrude is not concocted

~

March 17th is the feast day of another special saint, who is almost always overlooked by the history books. Her name is Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the Patron Saint of cats! Born in 628, she was a nun and Roman Catholics formally declared a feast day for her in 1677 by Pope Clement XII.

In the 1980’s, Gertrude admirers made the leap from associating Saint Gertrude from rodent banisher to the protector of cats, since cats hate mice too. Each fall, Nivelles, Belgium holds Le Tour Sainte-Gertrude, a parade around the city that draws many pilgrims and features a mass in honor of St. Gertrude and her good works.

fact or fiction
53

About the Creator

Dana Stewart

Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

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  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

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    Writing reflected the title & theme

  1. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  2. Expert insights and opinions

    Arguments were carefully researched and presented

  3. Masterful proofreading

    Zero grammar & spelling mistakes

  4. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

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    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (32)

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  • L.C. Schäfer11 months ago

    Every day is a school day 😁

  • aly suhailabout a year ago

    when history and poem collaborates .

  • Mary Haynesabout a year ago

    Thanks for elevating St. Gertrude! My boat cat, Bella approves!

  • Congratulations on your Top Story ✨💯👍😉

  • Sapphire Ravenclawabout a year ago

    I'm glad I found this gem among all the stuff about that other saint. I do know about Saint Gertrude, although I have learnt more here. I intend to include her in my own series of saints.

  • Alix A. Haygoodabout a year ago

    of the most well-known bus service providers in North America. which offers services in partnership with many churches and non-profit organizations. https://usa-grant.com/free-greyhound-bus-tickets-for-homeless/

  • Testabout a year ago

    An educational limerick! Excellent! Well done and congrats on your Top Story, Dana. :)

  • Lori Meltonabout a year ago

    Great work - and super interesting, as a diehard cat lover myself! Congrats on Top Story, Dana! <3

  • KJ Aartilaabout a year ago

    Good info! I did not know, so thank you for sharing! And congrats on Top Story! :)

  • J. S. Wadeabout a year ago

    Love the limerick and the info is awesome. 🥰. Happy St Gertrude’s Day

  • River Joyabout a year ago

    Nice! Both the limerick and the info. I learned something new today!

  • Paul Stewartabout a year ago

    loved everything about this! the limerick and the details after! thought i was already subscribed, but I am now! congrats on TS!

  • Rey Visionaryabout a year ago

    Very interesting

  • Oh wow, this is so fascinating, I never knew about her! She's so inspirational! And I love cats too! Congratulations on your Top Story!

  • Holly Pheniabout a year ago

    Super interesting! Never heard of this story! Congrats on the top story and on finding a very unique topic for today!

  • Gina C.about a year ago

    Oh, I never knew! Amazing limerick, and I enjoyed learning something!! ☺️❤️ Congrats on Top Story!! 😍😍

  • Loryne Andaweyabout a year ago

    As a cat lover, this makes me so happy! 😄

  • Kendall Defoe about a year ago

    Thanks! I have got to read more about this one.

  • Heather Hublerabout a year ago

    I enjoyed this so much! I loved the cover art, your lovely limerick and the afterwards! Great stuff :) Congratulations on Top Story!!

  • Donna Reneeabout a year ago

    Congratulations, Dana!! This was great (and also so interesting to learn about!)😁

  • C. H. Richardabout a year ago

    Happy St Gertrude's Day! Congratulations on Top story!

  • Cathy holmesabout a year ago

    Congrats on the Top Story. Happy St. Gertrude's day. Abigail is impressed.

  • Dana Crandellabout a year ago

    Happy St. Gertrude's Day! Congratulations on Top Story!

  • Leslie Writesabout a year ago

    I knew the stories we heard about St. Patrick were fabricated or exaggerated. But is the first I’ve heard of St. Gertrude. I 💖 her! Thank you for sharing. Great poem too!

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