March 17, is the saint’s day of Gertrude of Nivelles, patron (matron?) saint of cats. At least that’s what cats let her think. Gertrude was a 7th-century noblewoman turned nun who together with her mother founded an abbey at Nivelles in what is now Belgium. Cats recruited her as their patron saint, after impressing her with a dazzling display of superior rodent control, and therefore plague limitation. At the time, cats had a disastrous media image as witch familiars and emissaries of the devil. so you can see why they thought a patron saint onside would be a good move. For more about St Gertrude, click here to go to our Clowder Press Newsletter post about her. 

Unfortunately, a careless choice of date means Gertrude is too often eclipsed by St Patrick who, it must be admitted, is much more fun and has got the whole branding thing down - green, shamrock, stout – simple, effective, powerful. Even though he wasn’t actually Irish, or even a saint and there is no record of him having much to do with cats. Who do you prefer? 

We at Clowder Press aim to bring Gertrude to the front. Celebrate with us.