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I learned the patron saint of cats is a women.
I trusted my gut and was right, kek.
>St. Gertrude is known as the patron saint of cats (among other things). But how did she become the patron saint of cats? It’s an interesting story that involves a bit of a dive into St. Gertrude’s history. Sit back and enjoy the tale!
>St. Gertrude of Nivelles was born in 626. The daughter of a noble family who lived in what is now Belgium, Gertrude wasn’t quite the obedient daughter one would have expected in such a family at the time. When she was merely ten years old, she was asked if she would like to marry a duke. Rather than accept the offer (which most would have, as advantageous arranged marriages that created alliances that brought power and wealth were the norm back then), Gertrude declined and declared she would only take Christ as her bridegroom. It was a pretty bold move.
>Just a few years later, Gertrude’s father passed away. Her mother, Itta, was concerned that her daughter would be kidnapped for marriage (as was also the norm back then), so she shaved Gertrude’s head in tonsure, then went and built an abbey. In this way, she hoped to protect her daughter. The Abbey of Nivelles eventually became a double monastery where nuns and monks served. Gertrude was appointed Abbess for the monastery, but she handed off administrative duties to others and spent her time caring for the poor, sick, and elderly. She built hospices, churches, and monasteries and became known as the patron saint of gardeners, widows, and travelers. Her name was also invoked to ward against mental illness, mice, and rats.
>Unfortunately, Gertrude had a rather short life. Because she had worn herself down with constant vigils and fasting, she passed away when she was only 33. Interestingly, she said she sensed that her time was drawing near and asked a monk when she would die. He said she would die on March 17th, and that is indeed what happened.
The more you know!