Today Is Also ‘St Gertrude’s Day'; Celebrate The Patron Saint Of Cats

[riqster]

http://junkee.com/today-is-also-st-gertrudes-day-celebrate-the-patron-saint-of-cats/53228#r5AQ1Cv4LBAh67li.01


Who on the Internet could argue with this?

Statues, illuminated manuscripts, church fresco paintings and stained glass windows commonly depict Gertrude in a garden setting, surrounded by cats, rats and mice – often with a mouse running up her staff. The animals are often held to represent souls in purgatory, for whose salvation Gertrude fervently prayed when she was alive. As recently as 1822, pilgrims left offerings at her shrine in the form of golden and silver mice. More prosaically, Gertrude and her nuns also kept cats to combat the vermin problem at Nivelles abbey.

On a day that has become unfortunately associated with public displays of boorish masculinity, wouldn’t it be nice to honour a saint whose domains of patronage have traditionally been belittled as feminised and domestic? Gertrude was an independent woman who refused to be treated as a chattel. Now she watches over nature, and calms stormy seas and minds… if you have faith in her.

[KamaAina]

1. My Lounge thread on this is sinking like a rock

A cat thread. In Teh Longue!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018738695

[riqster]

2. I must go there and give it a kick.

I shoulda checked there first. Ooops.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Happy St. Gertrude's Day!

If you have corned beef and green beer for St. Patrick, what do you eat/drink for St. Gertrude? Fancy Feast?

[riqster]

4. And green water, perhaps.

Both saints died on the 17th so a bit of overlap oughta be OK.

[meow2u3]

6. No. Catnip

That's green.

[riqster]

7. Point.

[niyad]

11. catnip tea, lobster, crab, kfc nuggets (my old cats' favourite)

[riqster]

13. sounds like a menu!

[longship]

5. Yesterday was St. Urho's day!!!!

He drove the grasshoppers out of Finland a whole 24 hours before St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Ergo, Urho trumps Patrick.

There's a whole lot of drinking on March 16th in these parts up back nort, dontcha know.

But ya gotta travel up back nort to experience it. Of course, there will still be snow. Hope ya brought your cross-country skis, or your snowshoes. You betcha.

I promise. No lutefisk. But there very well may be pickled herring. And smoked salmon. And fruit soup.

Here's the Wiki: Saint Urho

BTW, Urho means hero in Finnish. I had a cousin named Urho. We called him Willie. Really!

Whoever your hero, have a safe and happy day.

[riqster]

8. All I know from Finnish is Aquavit

And Hakkaa Päälle!

[riqster]

9. Just read the link.

[niyad]

10. k and r

[Nay]

12. So she was the original cat lady? I like her already! nt