This Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory entrusts the faithful departed to the mercy of Jesus. The short prayer attributed to St. Gertrude the Great comes first, followed by the longer traditional prayer to Jesus for the holy souls.
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.
Saint Teresa of Ávila Interceding for Souls in Purgatory, by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1630). Public domain, The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
O most sweet Jesus, through the bloody sweat which Thou didst suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane, have mercy on these blessed souls. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel scourging, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most painful crowning with thorns, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in carrying Thy cross to Calvary, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer during Thy most cruel Crucifixion, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in Thy most bitter agony on the Cross, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
O most sweet Jesus, through the immense pain which Thou didst suffer in breathing forth Thy blessed soul, have mercy on them. Have mercy on them, O Lord. Have mercy on them.
Blessed souls, we have prayed for thee; we entreat thee, who are so dear to God, and who are secure of never losing Him, to pray for us miserable sinners, who are in danger of being damned, and of losing God forever. Amen.
Pray for the holy souls throughout the year, and especially in November and on All Souls’ Day, November 2. The St. Gertrude prayer may be offered after Mass, during Eucharistic adoration, at a cemetery, or whenever a deceased person comes to mind. The Church also commends Masses, almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance offered for the dead (CCC 1032).
Claims that this prayer automatically releases a fixed number of souls are not part of the Church’s approved indulgence grants. Offer it with trust in God’s mercy, not as a guarantee.
The holy souls are those who died in God’s grace and friendship but still need purification before entering the joy of heaven. Their salvation is secure; the Church calls this final purification Purgatory (CCC 1030–1031).
Yes. Catholics can offer Masses, prayers, almsgiving, sacrifices, and indulgenced works for the departed. The practice rests on the communion of saints: in Christ, the faithful on earth can lovingly assist those undergoing purification.
St. Gertrude the Great (1256–c. 1302) was a Benedictine nun and mystic of Helfta, known for her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her prayer for the departed. The short prayer above is traditionally attributed to her; the longer prayer follows the text published by EWTN.
