Saint Patrick & Saint Gertrude

Saint Patrick and Saint Gertrude, are both celebrated on the same day, March 17th. I did not know this, and most people I suspect do not know either.

I have always been drawn to the Saints from a very young age, especially those who were Mystics.
 Saint Gertrude is someone I feel a great affinity towards because she is the Patron of Cats and because of her love for animals, and nature. As well, she had a great love of people, in particular for the travelers, always showing kindness and hospitality to them. Saint Gertrude is very well known in Belgium where she and my grandmother's were from.

In 2004 a childhood and life long friend, gave me the most beautiful Catholic Book of Days, Seasons of the Saints. It was beautifully illustrated with copied prints of Patricia Banker's sculptural reliefs of the Saints. Below is one of the many pictures in this book.

                                                            Saint Patrick's Binding Prayer

St. Patrick
Feast Day: March 17

Patron of
.Ireland .Nigeria
.Engineers
.Excluded People

Invoked against Fear of Snakes

Gertrude of Nivelles
Feast Day: March 17

Patron of
. Cats & those who love them
. Travelers in Search of Lodging
. Gardeners . Herbalists

Invoked Against
. Rodents . Fear of Rats & Mice
. Fever

Prayer For the Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God,

for our friends the animals,

especially for animals who are suffering;

for animals that are overworked,

underfed and cruelly treated;

for all wistful creatures in captivity

that beat their wings against bars;

for any that are hunted or lost or deserted

or frightened or hungry;

for all that must be put to death.

We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,

and for those who deal with them

we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to

animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful. 

                                 
                                   - Author Unknown