St. Gertrude was born in Germany in 1256 and entered the monastery at Helfta while still a young child. Exceptionally well educated, she first devoted herself to literature and study before experiencing a profound spiritual awakening that redirected her attention toward prayer and theology.

Her writings reveal an intensely personal devotion to Christ and are among the important medieval works associated with devotion to the Sacred Heart. Gertrude came to understand learning, prayer and love of God as parts of the same life, earning her the unusual title “the Great.”