The Catholic Defender: The St. Gertrude Prayer

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"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.

Eternal Rest Prayer: "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen."

Prayer to Our Suffering Savior: "O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these blessed souls... through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them."

Offering Holy Communion: Offering the Eucharist on behalf of a deceased soul is considered highly effective.

The Promise: Tradition holds that Jesus told St. Gertrude the Great, a 13th-century German mystic, that reciting this prayer devoutly would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory.

The Intent: It emphasizes the Communion of Saints, the idea that the living (Church Militant) can help the deceased (Church Suffering) through prayer and the merits of Christ.

Psalms 130

Out of the depths I call to you, LORD;

Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

If you, LORD, keep account of sins, Lord, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered.

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits and I hope for his word.

My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak.

More than sentinels for daybreak,

let Israel hope in the LORD, For with the LORD is mercy,

with him is plenteous redemption,

And he will redeem Israel from all its sins.

St. Gertrude the Great (13th century): A German Benedictine nun and mystic famous for her visions of the Sacred Heart. She is the patron saint of the West Indies and is often invoked for souls in purgatory. Her feast day is November 16.

The Virgin Mary: Invoked as the Mother of Mercy. Devotions like the Rosary or offering actions through her hands are believed to be particularly effective.