Saturday, October 11 : Saint Gertrude of Helfta

During the mass where Gertrude was to commune, she saw the glorious mother of the Lord wonderfully adorned with the brilliance of all virtues. Throwing herself humbly at her feet, the soul began to pray to her to deign to prepare her to receive the very holy body and blood of her son. The blessed virgin then put on her chest a beautiful necklace which had as seven points, and on each a kind of extremely precious stone. This symbolized the main virtues by which the Virgin had pleased the Lord. The first of the precious stones appeared her attractive purity; the second, her fertile humility; the third, her fervent desires; The fourth, her luminous knowledge; The fifth, her inextinguishable love; the sixth, her sovereign joy; The seventh, her unalterable peace. Now, when the soul presented itself to the eyes of God, adorned with this necklace, the Lord was so charmed and captivated by the beauty of these virtues, that, as delighted with love, he bowed towards her with the omnipotence of his divinity, attracted him-O wonderful! – All of them and, pressing her tenderly on His heart, gave her His affectionate caresses. (…) The Holy Spirit, like an infinitely light breeze, seemed to come from the heart of the Lord, and, from his breath full of sweetness, gently make the turn of the seven stones of the necklace worn by the soul. They served him as a musical instrument to sing this antiphon to the praise of the Supreme Trinity.

Roman Extraordinary (Tridentine) Daily Readings – rosary,team