Why St. Gertrude de Nivelles?

From: [https://saintsforsinners.com/blogs/saints-stories/saint-gertrude-of-nevile](https://saintsforsinners.com/blogs/saints-stories/saint-gertrude-of-nevile)

Gertrude was a native of Belgium, who lived in the 7th Century.  She is known as the patron of cat lovers, since she was so adept at getting rid of the mice that were destroying the grains the townspeople harvested. Gertrude prayed for the mice to go away and they did. This led folks to consider She is the Patroness of cat lovers, After Gertrude’s Dad, Pepin, died, she convinced her Mom, Itta, to join her and they both entered a convent. When Itta died, Gertrude became the Mother Superior. She was well known for her selfless, caring, generous ways.  Those who had the privilege of spending time with her felt they had been blessed to enjoy her company.  Gertrude spent much, if not all, of her life in Belgium and she is revered there even now, 17 centuries after her death. Known for her hospitable ways, the people of Belgium fondly refer to a drink “to go” as “Saint Gertrude’s cup.”  She lived a short life and died at age 33. An Irish Priest told her Saint Patrick would meet her in Heaven and then Gertrude died, on Saint Paddy’s Day.

Stirrup Cup Recipe - from [The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book](https://app.ckbk.com/book/1781319561/the-official-downton-abbey-cocktail-book)

Ingredients (for 6 servings) - 1¼ cups ( 10 fl oz / 300 ml ) ruby port. - 2½ fl oz ( 75 ml ) maraschino liqueur. - 2½ fl oz ( 75 ml ) curaçao. - 1½ barspoons superfine sugar. - 2½ cups ( 20 fl oz / 600 ml ) soda water, chilled. - 1 orange, thinly sliced in half wheels. - 6 pineapple rounds, peeled, and cut into eighths. - ½ cucumber, thinly sliced into wheels.

- Combine the port, maraschino liqueur, curaçao, and sugar in a punch bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. - Pour in the soda water and stir, then add ice and stir again. - Add the orange, pineapple, and cucumber slices. - Serve in cups, making sure to include some cucumber, orange, and pineapple in each cup.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_of_Nivelles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gertrude_of_Nivelles)

[https://uscatholic.org/articles/202003/how-st-gertrude-of-nivelles-became-the-cat-lady-of-the-catholic-church/](https://uscatholic.org/articles/202003/how-st-gertrude-of-nivelles-became-the-cat-lady-of-the-catholic-church/)