Gertrud of Oosten

ON THE VENERABLE VIRGIN GERTRUD VAN OOSTEN, BEGUINE OF DELFT IN BELGIUM.

A.D. 1358.

Gertrud van Oosten, Beguine of Delft in Holland

[1] The memory of this holy virgin is celebrated in the histories of our country, The famous name of Gertrud van Oosten. inscribed also in the sacred calendars, though not yet consecrated by a solemn judgment of the Church, as far as I have been able to determine. The Carthusians of Cologne write of her in the Additions to Usuard published in 1515 and 1521: "Also of Gertrud van Oosten, Beguine of Delft, of blessed memory, who bore the stigmata of Christ impressed in her body." The German Martyrology has the same. Molanus in his Additions to the same Usuard: "At Delft, in the Beguinage, the death of the Venerable Gertrud van Oosten, whose life is extant." The Gallo-Belgian Martyrology: "St. Gertrud van Oosten, Beguine, born at Voorburg, buried at Delft, a town of Holland, in the church of St. Hippolytus." Ferrarius in the General Catalogue of Saints: "At Delft among the Batavians, of St. Gertrud the virgin." But in the new Topography of the Roman Martyrology the same Ferrarius makes a gross error, writing under the name Delphi: "March 17, Gertrude, virgin of the Order of Preachers, A.D. 1340. Sur. vol. 7 — from whom the Dutch town on the border of Brabant is named Gertrudenberg." Gertrudenberg is believed to be named from St. Gertrude, daughter of the Duke of Brabant, who is venerated on March 17 — not at Delft but at Nivelles — who died in the year 664, from which it is clear she was not of the Order of Preachers. The Gertrud celebrated at Delft was a Beguine, who died in 1358, on January 6.

[2] Autbert Miraeus also mentions her in his Belgian Calendars, and more fully Molanus in his Feast Days of the Saints of Belgium: "At Delft, in the Beguinage, the memory of Blessed Gertrud van Oosten, born at Voorburg, who died in 1358 on the day of the Epiphany. This virgin was very devoted to the Passion of the Lord, whence she merited to be marked with the stigmata of Christ. Certain things about her are read in the vernacular chronicles of Holland, but many more exist in manuscript in Latin. The cross from which she received the stigmata is preserved. The cross from which she received the stigmata is placed each year on the altar on the day of her death and is visited with solemn concourse. She is buried beneath the bell-tower at St. Hippolytus. And the private house she inhabited is still known." He adds other things about the origin and sanctity of the Beguines of Belgium. Andreas Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology: "On the same day, at Delft in Brabant (he should have written in Holland), the death of the venerable virgin Gertrud of Oosten, who on account of her singular piety toward the suffering Christ merited to be marked with His stigmata."

[3] The Life of Gertrud. Surius published the Life of Gertrud, but in his own style. We restore the phrasing of the ancient author from a faithful manuscript of the Church of St. Martin in Utrecht. Her life was formerly published in Dutch at Louvain in 1589 and recently by Heribert Rosweydus of our Society in his book On Holy Virgins Who Led Their Lives in the World; in both she is called Saint. Silvanus Razzius translated it into Italian from Surius in Volume 1 on Women Illustrious for Holiness, calling her Blessed. Johannes Gerbrandus of Leiden, book 28, chapter 4 of his Belgian Chronicle, reports several chapters of this life in nearly the same words. Josephus Geldolphus a Ryckel, Abbot of St. Gertrud at Louvain, treats of Gertrud at length in the Appendix of notes to the life of St. Begga, section 117.

[4] Why she was called "van Oosten." She was called "van Oosten," or "from the East," on account of a vernacular song in iambic dimeter catalectic verse which she frequently sang. Its opening is: "Het daghet in den Oosten" — that is, "The day dawns in the East." Another vernacular dimeter song, simple and pious, published at Louvain, she is said to have composed and frequently sung.

LIFE

From the Utrecht manuscript.

Gertrud van Oosten, Beguine of Delft in Holland. BHL Number: 3505

CHAPTER I.

Gertrud's homeland: the occasion of her conversion.

[1] Gertrud bore the wounds of Christ in her body. Gertrud van Oosten, a venerable virgin and devout Beguine — yet to be solemnly venerated, not without the authority of the Supreme Pontiff — received the stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ in her body on the night of Good Friday, 1340, from which blood flowed for many days seven times a day, while the people gazed in wonder at the great miracle. This is set forth at the outset so that the life of this same Virgin may be heard more gratefully.

[2] This Gertrud was born in a certain village of Holland called Voorburg, midway between The Hague and the city of Delft, of peasant parents. Her homeland and parents. Whence it was clear, as Paul writes and is said in the Acts of the Apostles: "God is no respecter of persons" Galatians 2:6; Acts 10:34. Having spent her youthful years simply at home, when Gertrud — simple as a dove — began to appear not only before God but also before men as a most prudent virgin, she came to Delft She serves at Delft. to serve in various places in the manner of maidservants, being of slender temporal means.

[3] Although at that time in that city there were no monasteries but only two churches — the parish church having at most three altars and a hospital for the poor with an altar for the sick — She lives piously in the world. and although crowds of both sexes assembled on feast days not for preaching but for dancing, nevertheless this handmaid, beloved of God, was so devout in her service that she often felt as much divine sweetness amid crowds as she later experienced among the Beguines. And so by God's grace she perceived how truly it is written: "The Spirit breathes where He wills" John 3:8 and "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" 2 Corinthians 3:17. No one knew of this grace while she was amid worldly turmoil; but afterward, living with the Beguines, she revealed it when asked. Thus the heart of the virgin Gertrud was, while in the world, recollected in God — so that with a kind mind, cheerful face, and humble heart she pleased all by her praiseworthy conduct.

[4] She acquired her surname from a certain song; Why she was called "van Oosten." because of the word "East" in the song, she was called Gertrud van Oosten. But in singing she was carried by the Spirit, referring the song to her beloved Jesus Christ. Two maidservants, Her two companions. Lielt and Dievver, frequently came to Gertrud and sang this song with her on the bridges of the city. These also were later converted from vain worldly ways, and Dievverdis lived with Gertrud in the Beguinage — which happened by the Lord's providence.

[5] For while Gertrud served faithfully, she bore in her heart the desire to serve God alone and please her heavenly Spouse. But she first experienced the deceitfulness of worldly love. Gertrud is betrothed to someone. She had been betrothed to a young man who despised her and wished to marry another. When Gertrud warned the other woman not to steal her betrothed, the woman paid no heed and married him. Despised by him, she chooses Christ as her spouse. Thereafter Gertrud, reflecting that good faith had not been kept on earth, resolved to preserve her integrity for the Lord, who keeps perfect faith, as the heavenly King. When in time the couple had children, the mother labored beyond measure in childbirth and could not be freed until she first placated Gertrud by asking pardon for the unfaithfulness; and the woman was tortured until Gertrud came to her aid, entreating the Lord on her behalf.

b. Commonly Voorburg.

CHAPTER II.

Her religious exercises: temptations.

[6] Meanwhile, Gertrud, having experienced the unfaithfulness of the young man and wishing to be freed from all worldly cares to serve her heavenly Spouse Jesus Christ without hindrance, Gertrud becomes a Beguine. entered the Beguinage, petitioning and receiving a place with all humility. When this virgin — acceptable to God — had been received by the very few Beguines, she faithfully offered herself wholly to Christ with great devotion

Page 350 and complete diligence, showing herself humble in words, conduct, habit, and all her behavior; patient in every adversity, so as to be lovable to God and friendly to all.

[7] Frequently confessing her sins before God and before the priest, she lamented so deeply that at the beginning of her conversion she did not cease from tears for fourteen days and nights. She learns by divine revelation that her sins are forgiven. During this time she merited forgiveness of her sins, as God manifested to her through revelation. During all those days of tears, if she took any food, it was very little and not without weeping. Then this daughter, devoted to God, walking simply and confidently in the path of God's commandments, strove always more amply to advance in true humility, voluntary poverty, the holy charity of Christ, contempt of herself and all earthly things, and the other virtues by which she might please her heavenly Spouse Jesus Christ, and obtain pardon, grace, and glory.

[8] She begs on account of poverty. At the beginning of her conversion, on account of her lack of temporal goods, she begged, moved above all by spiritual love for Him who, though He was rich, became poor for our sake. If she was invited into a house to eat, she accepted with thanksgiving the bread procured by her begging. She exhorts others to amend their lives. She frequently admonished maidservants and other people to amend their lives; and when the maidservants asked what they would live on, she gave this most concise reply: "For maidservants wishing to serve God, it suffices to take a spindle in their fingers, together with a good will."

[9] On one occasion, this Gertrud, having been invited to eat in the house of a certain matron called Aleydis Willemanni, She frequently suffers ecstasies. entered through the back door and remained there sitting motionless on the turf. Those who recognized her, knowing she had been caught up and elevated by the grace of God, allowed her to sit, marveling. For it often happened to her by the grace of God to remain in her little cell for six weeks or more; and then God in His mercy revealed to her the secrets of His wisdom. Afterward, when the virgin Gertrud returned from interior things to exterior, she ate whatever first came to hand — She feeds on tasteless food. such as moldy or hardened bread — and for drink she took curdled milk or some other liquid.

[10] She passed seven years without proper sleep for her nature. She mortifies herself by vigil. During which time she was frequently harassed by the devil, who, sending various temptations and troubles upon the Virgin, She is tempted by the devil. seized her arms or sleeves, gnashing and snarling, as if wishing to strip Gertrud of her cloak. But when she was thus harassed by the demon, she often called him by his name, saying by way of reproach: She taunts him. "Flee, wretched devil!" — or in the Teutonic idiom, a she reproached him with the fall by which he had fallen into hell. When the devil was grieved to hear this, he often lifted her from place to place, and sometimes raised her from the ground into the air and set her down. b Carried elsewhere by him, she is not harmed. Yet he did not harm her, for God her Spouse did not permit her to be injured. When the temptation and troubles were past, the Virgin rejoiced in the Lord, knowing that blessed and happy is the one who endures temptation, and who, when he has been tested and found faithful, will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him; and that no one will be crowned unless he has competed lawfully.

[11] She is tempted by the devil in the form of a crying child. This virgin Gertrud loved infants and children. For this reason, the devil often transformed himself — not into an angel of light, but into the form of a child weeping and wailing — so as to occupy the Virgin's mind, or to turn her away from God or from divine things. But the virgin of Christ, recognizing and spurning the demon, said: "Depart from me, evil spirit, for you are not the beloved of my soul."

CHAPTER III.

Her meditations on the infancy of Christ.

[12] The meditations of Gertrud. This devout handmaid of Christ exercised herself daily in meditating on the life of Jesus and His Passion. But according to the course of the liturgical year, she conformed her spiritual exercises to the offices of the holy Church. For in Advent she meditated, pondering the sublime desires of the ancient Fathers, In Advent: and she marveled that the Most High Lord deigned to come to us and to assume human nature from the most humble Virgin Mary; and that He still deigns to come to us and to make His dwelling in our souls — if, that is, we keep His words and are willing to serve Him faithfully. She pondered furthermore the benefits which she knew had been freely bestowed upon her by God her Spouse: how God had anticipated her, choosing her as His bride and daughter by a wonderful grace. In the midst of these and similar thoughts, she gave thanks to God most wonderfully, and in her wonder she rejoiced.

[13] At Christmas. Then at the feasts of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, sustained by great devotion, she pondered with uplifted spirit, as befitted the feast, with the grace of Christ cooperating in what it had begun in her. She meditated with the utmost sweetness of heart on how sweetly that most pure and most glorious Virgin Mother Mary bore her most sweet Son, our Savior and Lord, and how lovingly she nourished Him at her virginal breasts flowing with the sweetest milk. Meditating further, she marveled at the surpassing humility of our Savior Jesus Christ, who deigned to appear from the bosom of the heavenly Father as a tiny infant in the lap of the Virgin Mother; and moreover, that out of the greatest charity, for us men and for our salvation, He was willing to endure hunger, thirst, and extreme poverty.

[14] Her breasts flow with milk for forty days. In the aforesaid meditations she was filled with the greatest sweetness of mind, praising and glorifying God with all the powers of her heart, with the utmost thanksgiving. And there occurred a very great sign of her virginal gratitude for forty days, which God wished to show, beyond the grace of sweetness that lay hidden within. For on one occasion, while she was devoting herself to such meditations with great devotion and sweetness of heart, delighting in the Lord Jesus Christ, the little newborn Child, the breasts of this virgin Gertrud began to swell and to flow with milk. And so, for each day from the feast of the Lord's Nativity until the feast of the Purification, the flow of virginal milk from the Virgin's breasts did not cease; and she was satisfied during those days with a wonderful sweetness in contemplating the loftiness of the divine counsel for the salvation of the human race. The aforesaid miracle was the more wonderful for being the rarer; but they will easily believe who have read and believed that a Saint Lambert was nourished by the virginal milk of a certain blind virgin Saint Lambert nourished by the milk of a blind virgin. who, through that same virginal milk — as an Angel had foretold to the Virgin — was given sight. For according to Jerome, all true virgins are mothers of our Lord Jesus, if indeed they do the will of the heavenly Father Mark 3.

CHAPTER IV.

The wounds of Christ are imprinted on her.

[15] Wonders succeed upon wonders still more wonderful; when heard and believed, the testimonies of God concerning the Virgin become exceedingly credible. During the aforesaid time, while Gertrud was exercising herself in the Lord's righteousness and in meditations on His life, there was a certain devout Beguine, Lielta the Beguine predicts that Gertrud will receive the stigmata of Christ. of whom mention has been made above, named Lielt, dwelling in the same Beguinage of Delft, who, filled with the Holy Spirit — as the event proved — foretold a wonderful grace about to come upon the virgin Gertrud. For this virgin predicted to the other, more than a year before it happened, that in a year's time she would receive in her hands, feet, and side the most sweet stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ. At these words, the humble handmaid of Christ, Gertrud, was troubled, judging herself unworthy of so great a grace, and replied with humble words: "Whence is this to me, that so great a grace of God should be done to me? I know myself to be a great sinner, and I possess no virtues in thought, word, or deed, unless God has given them from the abundance of His divine mercy. Nor could I answer Him, rendering one thing for the thousand benefits given me, for I am less than all His gifts. Therefore, since I am bound for benefits received and owe Him praise and thanksgiving, I beg you, dear sister, not to bring such words to my ears, nor let your mouth be filled with such wonderful tidings, because what I know I declare: namely, that I am unworthy of so great a grace, that I should bear the stigmata of the Lord's Passion in my mortal body."

[16] Gertrud receives five wounds in her body. After this, when a year had passed, on the night of Good Friday, this virgin Gertrud prostrated herself before a crucifix with great attention, praying at length in her chamber, and meditating she turned over in her fervent heart the ardor of divine charity which compelled Christ the Lord to be consummated by so harsh a death for us wretched sinners — by the most shameful death of the cross. She pondered with uplifted mind, diligently considering the most bitter bitterness of the Passion and death, praising God with all the powers of her soul and showing herself grateful. And when, caught up with such wondrous devotion, she had been transformed into love — or rather compassion — for her beloved Lord Jesus Christ, God, wonderful in His saints, wrought such wonders for this Virgin by a wonderful grace that she truly received the five stigmata of our Lord, most wondrously, in the five members of her virginal body.

[17] Having therefore received the five stigmata — or rather five wounds — and coming from divine contemplation to human things, she cried out in a loud voice to the Beguine who lived with her: "Dievverdis, come and see what great grace God has granted to me, His poor handmaid — not by my merits, but from His superabundant mercy." When she came and saw so great a grace of God's gift bestowed upon the virgin Gertrud, she was amazed, and praising God for so great wonders openly and abundantly shown, she blessed Him. Blood flows from them seven times daily. For not only on that night of Good Friday, but also in broad daylight, and afterward for many days, the most beautiful blood of a deep red color flowed from the sacred wounds seven times a day — that is, at each of the canonical hours. The blood flowing from the stigmata was caught in cloths prepared with the care of this same Gertrud.