Ā Ā Ā Today, we celebrate Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron saint of cats and cat lovers. Gertrude also protects homes from mice and other rodents. She also serves as a chaperone for people who pass away. Saint Gertrude accompanies the dearly departed on their trip to Heaven.
Ā Ā Ā Saint Gertrudeās Feast Day is March 17th, the same asĀ Saint Patrickās. Celebrations of Saint Gertrude are perhaps overshadowed by Saint Patrickās Day festivities. That doesnāt stop the loyal Saint Gertrude fans from commemorating her Feast Day.
Ā Ā Ā Saint Gertrudeās shrine is in Cologne, Germany. People bring gold and silver mice figurines to leave at her resting place. Again, the curious rationale is that Saint Gertrude helps people get to Heaven, especially those who may have a long journey to get there. According to the Rules of Catholicism, those who have done some sinning and then die have to wait to get to Heaven and they wind up in a place called Purgatory. Saint Gertrude is the saint you check in with who shortens your visit there. ThenĀ Archangel MichaelĀ comes to get you and brings you to Saint Peter at the Gates to Heaven.Ā
Ā Ā Ā In Belgium, when people are visiting a local tavern and have not yet finished their drink, they can ask for a āSaint Gertrudeās Cup,ā to take their drink with them upon departure to the next bar or restaurant. On Bourbon Street in New Orleans the cup is simply called a āGo Cup.ā Maybe Gertrudeās name had been shortened to āGoā at some point over the last hundreds of years. The tourists in New Orleans are quite happy to find themselves at āPat Oāsā Bar onĀ Saint PeterĀ Street and then take their Go Cups to venture through the French Quarter.
