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Holy Cross Abbey

901 Cool Spring Lane Berryville, Virginia 22611

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A Word from Gertrude the Great

July 1, 2025 by Fr Joseph

O God, love, you alone are my wall and rampart.  Those who bear distress in this world, behold, they know what kind of shelter there is for them in your peace as a defense against heat and a canopy against rain.  Ah!  Look upon and see my battle; you yourself teach my hands to fight.  If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart will not fear if you yourself, O my faithful bulwark and strongest tower, were with me inside and outside. 

Where is my opponent when you aid me?  If you stand with me, let him approach me here.  By your sight alone, you lay open to me and lay bare the thoughts of Satan, and, with a word, blow them away in my presence.  If my enemy throw me down headlong a thousand times, in falling on your dearest right hand I will embrace and kiss [it] warmly with all my heart; and, with you as a bulwark and defense, I will stand undefiled, strong against all danger.

Gertrude the Great of Helfta, Spiritual Exercises, V Mystical Union, v. 409-423 (CF 49, pages 87, 88)

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