Gertrude of Nivelles

Saint Gertrude of Nivelles (about 628 to 17 March 659) was abbess of the monastery of Nivelles, in present-⁠day Belgium, founded by her mother, Ida (Itta). She was a daughter of Pepin of Landen, mayor of the palace of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia. She is remembered as a lover of the poor and of pilgrims.

Her life, written by an unknown author soon after her death, says that at the age of ten, at a banquet given by her father, the king wished to betroth her to the son of a duke, and she answered that she would have no bridegroom but Christ. After Pepin's death her mother, wishing to protect her from suitors, built the monastery of Nivelles on the advice of Bishop Amand, for herself and her daughter. Ida insisted that Gertrude should be the first abbess, though she was only twenty; at about thirty she gave up the office in favour of her niece Wilfetrudis, to give herself to prayer and works of mercy.

She reposed on 17 March 659. She is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 17 March (new style; 30 March in the old style).