St. Gertrude the Great

Orphaned at age 5, sent to, and cared for by religious sisters in a German Convent, St. Gertrude the Great was the 13th century Benedictine mystic, visionary, and was an intellectually gifted theologian.

St. Gertrude is one of the four (Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque) great disciples of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. So united to His Sacred Heart, “while in Holy Communion, a ray of light from the right side of the crucifix hit her heart,” leaving an impression of the Sacred Heart there. She practiced “nuptial mysticism, and in total oneness as a bride of Christ, Jesus himself taught her the prayer to release to heaven 1,000 souls from Purgatory.

It would be well for all Christians to pray, Eternal Father, I offer you, the most precious blood of your Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Holy Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in your universal church, those in my home, and within my family.

This prayer unites the people to the whole Mystical Body of Jesus Christ as we honor “with great respect the memory of the dead” because “our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective (CCC 958).”

St. Gertrude prayed to empty Purgatory of suffering souls. The whole month of November is especially set to merit our beloved dead. With God’s grace, let us join her soonest!