Today is also St. Gertrude's Day
The Patron Saint of Cats, who lived from 628 to 659.
Gertrude of Nivelles, was daughter of Pippin the Elder, the power behind the Merovingian throne, so she was both Patrick’s near contemporary and his pioneering equal.
Gertrude is a strong historical figure. She’s the patron saint of gardeners, travelers, widows, recently deceased people, the sick, the poor, the mentally ill, and travelers in search of lodging. And cats. People call upon Gertrude for protection from mice and rats, fever, insanity, and mental illness. Who says saints aren’t cool?
In her short life she founded a monastery and ruled as its abbess. And her abbey still stands today, having survived attack by the forces of Revolutionary France in 1794 and bombing by the German Luftwaffe in 1940.
A Prayer to St. Gertrude
St. Gertrude of Nivelles, ask you I pray
Safeguard my kitties this and each day.
Defend them from those who might wish them harm.
Keep them at home safe from danger and storm.
Instill in me wisdom to care for them well.
Pray, fill me with strength never to yell.
And Gertrude, a last thing I beseech from thee,
Protect my sofa from claws and my carpets from pee.
Amen.
By Dusty Rainbolt
at www.catster,com
= new reply since forum marked as read
I was at my computer and heard the rattle of dishes in the kitchen. Thought I should take a look and I discovered a stack of plates and cups slowly moving towards the edge of the counter. My little 1-yr-old, one-eyed kitten was trying to get to a plate that had butter on it. Whew! Guess St. Gertrude saved me from a little disaster there. 
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