St. Gertrude the Great (16 November): May We Have a Burning Desire to Become a Saint

About this sermon

Discover the profound wisdom found in this powerful reflection on St. Gertrude the Great, the interior life, and the soul’s journey toward holiness. Drawing from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, this talk highlights the importance of remaining in the state of grace, being spiritually prepared, and cultivating a burning desire for sanctity. Learn about the stages of the spiritual life — from spiritual childhood to the illuminative and unitive ways — and how saints like St. Gertrude, St. Mechtilde, and St. John of the Cross guide us in understanding the “mansions” of the soul. This reflection explains mystical concepts such as the dark night of the senses, the dark night of the spirit, and the mystical espousal, emphasizing that these aren’t unreachable states but real possibilities for souls striving for holiness. This video encourages all the faithful to pursue sanctity with confidence and hope. Through baptism, we have all been called to reject Satan, follow Christ, and allow sanctifying grace to transform us. By reading the lives of the saints and staying faithful to prayer, you too can grow in holiness and prepare your soul for eternal life. 🙏 Pray to St. Gertrude the Great today for the grace to desire sanctity deeply and live fully in God’s will. 00:00 – Introduction & Invocation 00:08 – Parable of the Virgins & State of Grace 00:31 – St. Gertrude the Great: Background 00:44 – Monastic upbringing & Benedictine tradition 01:19 – Medieval focus on salvation vs modern priorities 01:26 – Her formation under St. Mechtilde 01:39 – Devotion of the Three Hail Marys 01:47 – Gertrude’s mystical experience at age 25 02:01 – Interior life and the “mansions” 02:15 – Stages of spiritual growth 02:52 – Spiritual childhood & conquering vices 03:04 – Dark night of the senses 03:12 – Illuminative way & growth in virtue 03:21 – Dark night of the soul 03:32 – Unitive way explained 03:47 – Spiritual espousal and mystical union 04:15 – Vision of Christ giving seven rings 04:36 – Living the grace of baptism fully 05:06 – Being confirmed in grace (St. John of the Cross) 05:25 – Our own baptismal call to holiness 05:47 – Doing purgatory on earth 06:17 – Importance of reading the lives of the saints 06:30 – Final exhortation & prayer to St. Gertrude For more please visit http://www.veritascaritas.com & please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StGertrudetheGreat #CatholicSpirituality #MysticalTheology #InteriorLife #StateOfGrace #TraditionalCatholic #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicHomily #SacredHeart #CatholicFaith