The Prayer of St. Gertrude
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.
*The original prayer was only intended for those that had died and were already in purgatory. It was later changed to include sinners that are still alive in the hope of helping them to avoid purgatory altogether.
St. Gertrude the Great
Born on January 6th, 1256 in Germany. Gertrude was sent to live at the St. Mary Monastery in Helfta at the age of 5, where she received her education and religious formation.
In 1281, the now 25 year old Gertrude, experienced the first of many visions she would have throughout her life. She would view these visions as the moment of her new birth, as they would go onto changing her life, her priorities and studies.
Gertrude would go on to become known as one of the great Mystics and Theologians of the 13th century. Through her devotion as a Benedictine Nun, Gertrude was able to develop a deep relationship with the Lord through prayer.
History of the St. Gertrude Prayer
It was through Gertrude’s prayers that the Lord communicated with her. He promised her that every time her prayer is said devoutly, he would ease the suffering of 1000 souls, and release them from purgatory, welcoming them into heaven.
Though those in purgatory can do nothing for themselves, they can and do, pray for those that pray for them.
There are many references in scripture, concerning prayers for the dead. One of the more well known references comes from the Old Testament.
“It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” (2 Maccabees 12:43-46)