schola caritatis - school of love

A different kind of scool - and an unusual curriculum


In the second Exercitium Gertrude speaks about spiritual conversion „...praying to God to make you his own monastery of love and of all the virtues”.


After a prayer to Mary, mother of Christ, asking for good council, she recommends the invocation of the Holy Spirit “to make you progress in religion”.
She then addresses Jesus and asks for His blessing:
“Bless me, most loving Jesus, bless me and have mercy on me in the loving-kindness of your most gracious heart.

- Ah, that my soul may choose to knw nothing apart from you

- and that, disciplined by your grace
and instructed by the anointing, (of the Holy Spirit)

- I may progress well, passionately, and powerfully in the school of your love.

Ex II, 50