Morris ClarkAmong the most powerful and beloved prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory is the Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great. This short but profound prayer, revealed by our Lord Himself to the great 13th-century Benedictine mystic and theologian, is said to release many souls from Purgatory each time it is prayed devoutly.
St. Gertrude of Helfta (1256–1302), known as “Gertrude the Great,” was a German Benedictine nun, mystic, theologian, and one of the most revered saints of the Middle Ages. She is the only woman to bear the title “the Great,” a testament to her extraordinary holiness and intellectual depth. Our Lord granted her numerous revelations, including the promise that this prayer would release souls from Purgatory.
The Church teaches that Purgatory is not a second chance nor a place of despair. Rather, it is a state of purification for those who die in God’s grace but are not yet perfectly cleansed of the temporal punishment due to sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven” (CCC 1030).
The souls in Purgatory cannot pray for themselves. They depend entirely on the prayers, sacrifices, and indulgences offered by the faithful on earth. Among all the prayers that can be offered for them, the Prayer of St. Gertrude holds a special place because of the promise attached to it.
In this guide, you will learn the history of this prayer, the correct way to pray it, the promises revealed to St. Gertrude, and how to incorporate this powerful devotion into your daily spiritual life.
Who Was St. Gertrude the Great?
St. Gertrude was born in Eisleben, Germany, in 1256. At the age of five, she was offered as a student to the Benedictine monastery at Helfta, where she would spend her entire life. She was extraordinarily gifted intellectually and became a scholar of Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the spiritual classics.
However, in her mid-twenties, Gertrude experienced a profound conversion. She turned from her love of learning for its own sake to a deep, personal, mystical union with Christ. Our Lord appeared to her frequently, granting her visions and revelations that she recorded in her masterpiece, The Herald of Divine Love.
Jesus revealed to St. Gertrude the infinite mercy of His Sacred Heart and taught her many prayers, including the prayer that now bears her name. He promised her that each time this prayer was prayed devoutly, a multitude of souls would be released from Purgatory.
St. Gertrude died in 1302, surrounded by her spiritual daughters. She was never formally canonized, but her cultus was confirmed by the Church, and she is honored as a saint. Her feast day is November 16.
The Prayer of St. Gertrude
This is the prayer as revealed to St. Gertrude by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is traditionally prayed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
A longer version sometimes used:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on the poor souls.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the souls in Purgatory.
St. Joseph, patron of the dying, pray for them.
St. Gertrude, pray for us and for the holy souls.
The Promise Attached to the Prayer
Our Lord revealed to St. Gertrude that each time this prayer is prayed devoutly, a large number of souls – traditionally believed to be 1,000 – are released from Purgatory.
The exact number is not the point. The point is the extraordinary mercy of God, who allows us to participate in the liberation of souls through this simple prayer. The promise is not magic. It is not an automatic formula. The prayer must be prayed with devotion, with faith, and with the intention of releasing souls.
St. Gertrude herself wrote: “Our Lord said to her: ‘Behold, I have given you a pledge of My love. I promise you that every soul who says this prayer with devotion will be delivered from Purgatory.'”
While the Church has not dogmatically defined the specific number of souls released, the prayer has been indulgenced and recommended by many popes and saints. Pope Benedict XIV granted indulgences to those who pray this prayer for the souls in Purgatory.
How to Pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude
Step 1: Begin with the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Step 2: Prepare Your Intention
Before praying, consciously direct your intention to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. You may say silently:
“Lord, I offer this prayer for the release of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, especially for the souls of my deceased family members, friends, and those who have no one to pray for them.”
Step 3: Pray the Prayer
Recite the Prayer of St. Gertrude slowly and devoutly:
“Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.”
Step 4: Add Optional Supplications
After the prayer, you may add invocations to the Sacred Heart, the Immaculate Heart, St. Joseph, and St. Gertrude.
Step 5: End with the Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
When to Pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude
While this prayer can be prayed at any time, certain occasions are especially appropriate:
1. Daily devotion. Many Catholics pray this prayer once or more times each day as a regular act of mercy for the Holy Souls.
2. After receiving Holy Communion. The union with the Eucharist makes this prayer especially powerful.
3. During November (the Month of the Holy Souls). The Church dedicates November to praying for the faithful departed.
4. On All Souls’ Day (November 2). This is the primary day of prayer for the Holy Souls.
5. At funerals or memorial services. Pray this prayer for the soul of the deceased.
6. When visiting a cemetery. Pray this prayer for the souls buried there.
7. During Eucharistic adoration. The presence of the Blessed Sacrament intensifies the prayer.
8. At the hour of death. Pray this prayer for the dying, that they may be released quickly from any temporal punishment.
Other Prayers for the Holy Souls
While the Prayer of St. Gertrude is especially powerful, other prayers for the Holy Souls are also recommended:
1. The Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
2. The De Profundis (Psalm 130)
Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
3. The Rosary for the Dead
Pray the Rosary with the intention of releasing souls from Purgatory, adding the Decade Prayer (Fatima Prayer) after each decade.
4. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy
St. Faustina recorded that Jesus told her: “The souls that are in Purgatory are greatly helped by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.”
5. The Heroic Act of Charity
A more advanced devotion in which a person offers to God all the satisfactory value of their works, prayers, and sufferings for the souls in Purgatory for their entire lifetime.
Indulgences for the Holy Souls
The Church grants indulgences – the remission of temporal punishment due to sin – that can be applied to the souls in Purgatory.
A plenary indulgence (full remission of temporal punishment) can be obtained for a soul in Purgatory on All Souls’ Day (November 2) by:
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Visiting a church or oratory
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Praying one Our Father and the Apostles’ Creed
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Confession (within 8 days)
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Communion (on the day)
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Praying for the Pope’s intentions
A partial indulgence can be obtained for the souls in Purgatory by:
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Praying the Eternal Rest prayer
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Visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead
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Piously using a crucifix, rosary, or religious medal that has been blessed
The Prayer of St. Gertrude carries a partial indulgence when prayed for the Holy Souls.
A Daily Prayer Routine for the Holy Souls
Here is a simple daily routine incorporating the Prayer of St. Gertrude:
Morning (1 minute):
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Offer your day for the Holy Souls.
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Pray: “Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus for the souls in Purgatory.”
Noon (1 minute):
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Pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude once.
Evening (5 minutes):
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Pray one decade of the Rosary for the Holy Souls.
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End with the Prayer of St. Gertrude and the Eternal Rest prayer.
Total: 7 minutes per day – a small investment for an eternal reward.
Prayers for the Souls of Deceased Family Members
When praying for specific deceased loved ones, add this intention:
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, especially for the soul of [name], who has departed this life. If they are still in Purgatory, release them this day. If they are already in heaven, let this prayer be for their greater glory and for the souls most abandoned. Amen.
A Novena to the Holy Souls Using St. Gertrude’s Prayer
Pray this novena for nine consecutive days for a specific deceased person or for all the Holy Souls.
Each day:
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Begin with the Sign of the Cross.
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Pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude (three times).
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Pray the Eternal Rest prayer (once).
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Pray the Decade Prayer (Fatima Prayer) once.
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End with the Sign of the Cross.
Day 1: For the souls of our deceased family members.
Day 2: For the souls of our deceased friends.
Day 3: For the souls of our enemies.
Day 4: For the souls of priests and religious.
Day 5: For the souls of those who died suddenly.
Day 6: For the souls of those who died without the sacraments.
Day 7: For the souls of those who have no one to pray for them.
Day 8: For the souls of the most abandoned in Purgatory.
Day 9: For the souls of our loved ones who died in this past year.
The Heroic Act of Charity
For those who wish to go deeper, the Church offers the Heroic Act of Charity – a commitment to offer to God all the satisfactory value of one’s works, prayers, and sufferings for the souls in Purgatory for one’s entire lifetime.
This is not a vow, but a generous offering. Those who make the Heroic Act of Charity can gain a plenary indulgence for a soul in Purgatory each time they receive Holy Communion (under the usual conditions).
The prayer of offering:
O Lord, God of mercy, I offer Thee for the souls in Purgatory all the satisfactory value of my works, prayers, sufferings, and indulgences. I renounce for myself all the graces and merits that I might gain, and I offer them entirely to the Holy Souls. I trust that Thou wilt accept this offering and that the souls I help will pray for me when they reach heaven. Amen.
Conclusion
As we conclude this guide to the Prayer of St. Gertrude, let us remember that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses – the saints in heaven, the souls being purified in Purgatory, and the faithful struggling on earth. We are all connected in the Communion of Saints.
The souls in Purgatory cannot pray for themselves. They cannot earn indulgences. They cannot offer sacrifices. They can only wait – and hope – that someone on earth will remember them.
You have the power to release them. Not by your own merit, but by the infinite merit of the Precious Blood of Jesus. Every time you pray the Prayer of St. Gertrude, you open the floodgates of mercy. Every time you offer the Blood of Christ in union with the Mass, you pour grace into the place of purification.
Do not let this power lie dormant. Pray this prayer daily. Pray it for your deceased loved ones. Pray it for the souls who have no one to pray for them. Pray it for the most abandoned souls in Purgatory – those who have been forgotten by the world but are remembered by God.
And when you reach heaven, those souls you helped will greet you with tears of gratitude. They will pray for you. They will welcome you into the eternal homeland.
Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on the poor souls.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the souls in Purgatory.
St. Joseph, patron of the dying, pray for them.
St. Gertrude, pray for us and for the holy souls.
Amen.
Morris Clark