Happy Saint Gertrude’s Day
Seriously. Especially if you love cats!
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.
About the Creator
Dana Stewart
Soup lover proudly owned by fluffy little lap dogs. Likes: sunsets, chocolate, witty replies, and good hair days. Dislikes: Mean people and flan. Hit that subscribe button.
Reader insights
Nice work
Very well written. Keep up the good work!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Expert insights and opinions
Arguments were carefully researched and presented
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
Keep reading
More stories from Dana Stewart and writers in Poets and other communities.
Saint Patrick's Blind Date
This is for the latest Vocal challenge that you can read about below. The limerick only clocks in at thirty words, but I hope it brings a smile to your face. I can't change the font or size in the Vocal editor so took a screenshot of my limerick as well
By Mike Singleton - Mikeydred7 days ago in Poets
The Caretaker of Cavendish Manor
The mirror showed a reflection that wasn't my own. She had the same brown hair, same blackheads, same tired eyes looking back at me, but somehow I knew she was a fake. It was in the expression on her face, as if she was keeping a secret. I scoffed at her, spraying the antique mirror with some cleaning solution and wiping it with a cloth. The rest of the parlor’s furnishings were shrouded in dust covers. I thought it best to keep them covered and only use what was necessary.
By Leslie Writes4 days ago in Horror
Comments (31)
when history and poem collaborates .
Thanks for elevating St. Gertrude! My boat cat, Bella approves!
Finally a female saint to celebrate! I had not heard of her before. Great job!
Congratulations on your Top Story ✨💯👍😉
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.
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/
An educational limerick! Excellent! Well done and congrats on your Top Story, Dana. :)
Great work - and super interesting, as a diehard cat lover myself! Congrats on Top Story, Dana! <3
Good info! I did not know, so thank you for sharing! And congrats on Top Story! :)
Love the limerick and the info is awesome. 🥰. Happy St Gertrude’s Day
Nice! Both the limerick and the info. I learned something new today!
loved everything about this! the limerick and the details after! thought i was already subscribed, but I am now! congrats on TS!
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!
Super interesting! Never heard of this story! Congrats on the top story and on finding a very unique topic for today!
Oh, I never knew! Amazing limerick, and I enjoyed learning something!! ☺️❤️ Congrats on Top Story!! 😍😍
As a cat lover, this makes me so happy! 😄
Thanks! I have got to read more about this one.
I enjoyed this so much! I loved the cover art, your lovely limerick and the afterwards! Great stuff :) Congratulations on Top Story!!
Congratulations, Dana!! This was great (and also so interesting to learn about!)😁
Happy St Gertrude's Day! Congratulations on Top story!
Congrats on the Top Story. Happy St. Gertrude's day. Abigail is impressed.
Happy St. Gertrude's Day! Congratulations on Top Story!
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!
I just learned a lot. As a cat lover I'm grateful to have this knowledge bestowed upon me by you. Thank goodness for a great fan club: "from rodent banisher to the protector of cats." Congratulations on your Top Story!