Free Printable St. Gertrude Prayer Cards for Kids

Have you ever heard of a prayer that releases 1,000 souls from purgatory?

Yes, that’s right! Jesus himself promised St. Gertrude this, and in this post you will be able to print a prayer card so you can pray this prayer all month!

St Gertrude Prayer Cards

If you’re looking for a simple, beautiful way to bring the spirit of St. Gertrude the Great’s devotion to praying for the souls in purgatory into your family’s prayer life, these printable prayer cards are a perfect tool.

They work well as bible bookmarks, to keep at a family prayer altar, or in your wallet. You can also hole punch a bunch of these and put them on a binder ring for your mass bag!

This is especially great during the month of November when St. Gertrude’s feast is celebrated.

Check out my liturgical calendar for November, the month of the Holy Souls.

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Who Was St. Gertrude the Great?

St. Gertrude the Great (1256‑1301) was a German Benedictine mystic from the convent of Helfta.

She entered the monastery as a child, received a solid formation in Scripture, and later became renowned for her visions, theological writings, and deep devotion to the Sacred Heart.

Her “Legatus Divinae Pietatis” (Herald of Divine Love) and the “Exercises” reveal a soul that blended scholarly study with contemplative prayer. Pope John Paul II highlighted her as “the theologian of the Sacred Heart” and praised her “total confident friendship with Jesus”.

Her Devotion to Praying for the Souls in Purgatory

Gertrude’s heart was especially tender toward the souls undergoing purification after death. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that “her boundless charity … was manifested in tender sympathy towards the souls in purgatory”.

Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2010 General Audience, reminded us that Gertrude “was in close communion with God … and also ready to go to the help of those in need,” including the souls in purgatory.

St Gertrude Facts for Kids

St. Gertrude was born on 6 January 1256 and entered the convent of Helfta when she was only five years old
We don’t know for sure if she was an orphan, but it is likely
She spent her whole life as a Benedictine nun, earning the title “the Great” because of her extraordinary holiness and learning
Gertrude wrote the first “Exercises” – a short book that teaches people how to live a life of faith and love from baptism till death
She is famous for her deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, calling herself “the theologian of the Sacred Heart”
Her charity was boundless: she cared for both the rich and the poor, sharing food and help without asking for anything in return
Gertrude believed that prayers for the souls in purgatory could bring them the light of Christ, and she prayed for the dead constantly
She received many visions, which she recorded in a work called the “Legatus Divinae Pietatis” (Herald of Divine Love)
The Church celebrates her feast on 15 November (originally 17 November), a special time when families often pray for their loved ones who have died
Later saints, such as St. Teresa of Ávila, looked to Gertrude as a model and guide for their own spiritual lives

St Gertrude Prayer (1000 Souls Prayer)

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.

Why Pray This Prayer in November?

November is such a beautiful, prayerful month in the Church, a time when our hearts naturally turn toward the faithful departed and the promise of resurrection. In the midst of All Souls’ Day and all our extra prayers for loved ones who have gone before us, the Church also celebrates St. Gertrude the Great on November 16. Fittingly, she is known for her deep love for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Even Pope Francis, in his 2022 General Audience on that day, encouraged us to “always seek light and support for every choice in daily life, in Jesus.”

“The Church believes that the souls detained in purgatory “are helped by the prayers of the faithful and most of all by the acceptable sacrifice of the altar” (Council of Trent, Decree on Purgatory), as well as by “alms and other works of piety” (Eugene IV, Bull Laetantur coeli).” –John Paul II Letter to the Abbott of Cluny

Praying with a St. Gertrude card in November is a simple, meaningful way to weave that remembrance into your family’s rhythm. It helps children (and us grown-ups, too) learn the beauty of praying for others, understand the mercy of purgatory, and rest in the joyful hope of eternal life.

The Chaplet of St. Gertrude for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

You can also pray this prayer on ordinary rosary beads as a chaplet! Here is how you do it:

Begin the Sign of the Cross
Starting Prayers: The Creed, 1 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary’s and a Glory Be.
On Each decade, pray 1 Our Father and 10 Prayers of Saint Gertrude
Closing Prayers: The Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart Prayers, and a Glory Be.
End with the Sign of the Cross

Here are the prayers of the Chaplet of St Gertrude:

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. AMEN.

OUR FATHER

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. AMEN.

HAIL MARY

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. AMEN.

GLORY BE

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.

(On Each Decade)

OUR FATHER

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.

SACRED HEART PRAYER

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, open the hearts and minds of sinners to the truth and light of God, the Father.

IMMACULATE HEART PRAYER

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the conversion of sinners and the world.

GLORY BE

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

St Gertrude Prayer Cards Free Printable

How to Use the Printable Cards

Print:

Print the card on sturdy paper
Cut it out, and fold on the dotted line
Glue or laminate
Place extra copies at the back of your church to inspire others

Teach the Prayer

Read the short prayer together each evening
Practice Silence: Encourage a moment of silence, asking the child to join you in offering a small intention for a departed loved one

Create a Prayer Box:

Let children write names of family members or friends who have died on slips of paper and place them in a “prayer box” next to the card

Download Your Free Printable

How to Access the Free Printable

Drop your email in the box below.
Check your inbox and click through to the PDF.
Save it to your computer or phone.
Print it off at home or at your local printer.
For personal and non-profit use only. I get a lot of requests for parishes to use my printables. Thank you for asking, and you are absolutely welcome to do so. If you would like, you can buy me a coffee by using my Tip Jar, and please pray for me!
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Let’s See It!

I hope your family enjoys this freebie! I would love to see you using this printable. Be sure to tag me @kindlingwild and use #kindlingwild on social media.

Check out these Catholic devotions!

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