St. Gertrude of Nivelles

St. Gertrude of Nivelles was a medieval abbess, a title given to the superior of certain communities of nuns. She was born around 626 and died in 659. Gertrude was the daughter of Pepin of Landen and Ida of Nivelles, and she became the first abbess of the monastery at Nivelles in modern-day Belgium. She is known for her piety and her role in establishing monastic life. Gertrude is also associated with the protection of travelers and sailors, and she is often invoked against mice and rats. Her feast day is celebrated on March 17th.1