The Chaplet of Saint Gertrude
What is this chaplet? Who is Saint Gertrude?
First of all, Wikipedia defines the difference between the rosary and chaplets as chaplets being personal devotionals. Chaplets have no set form and differ considerably. While the usual five-decade Dominican rosary is a chaplet that the Roman Catholic church follows, often chaplets have fewer beads than a traditional rosary and a different set of prayers. While novenas on the other hand are prayers that are recited for a consecutive number of days (e.g. nine days) to a particular saint for intercession towards a certain intention/favour.
Gertrude the Great (or Saint Gertrude of Helfta; Italian: Santa Gertrude; January 6, 1256 – c. 1302) was a German Benedictine nun, mystic, and theologian. She is recognized as a saint by the Catholic and the Episcopal Church. Shortly after her 25th birthday, Jesus spoke to Gertrude. She tells us that she heard Christ say to her, “Do not fear. I will save you and set you free.” This was the first in a series of visions that transformed her life. From then on, she spent many hours reading the bible and writing essays on the word of God. When she was asked to write about her experiences, she claimed that it would serve no purpose. St. Gertrude is one of the leading women religious writers of the late 13th century. Outwardly, she appeared to be a simple Benedictine nun. She had a great devotion to the Holy Souls in purgatory. Her raptures were frequent and so absorbing that she was insensible to what passed around her. She had the gift of miracles well as that of prophecy.
This is the most selfless prayer that we can come across, I found this one on YouTube and hence I do not own any rights to the content. The reason I am sharing on my blog is so that this one reaches more people and more of us can learn to selflessly recite this one for the poor Holy souls suffering retributions for their sins in purgatory.
There are several speculations around the claims of this prayer releasing a thousand souls from purgatory, some say that this claim was never documented by the Saint herself and that some have exaggerated these promises. Nevertheless, there is no harm in reciting such a beautiful prayer and I encourage you to recite this as often as you can. Whether or not it releases a thousand souls, it is a beautiful act that you can do for some soul that may require your prayers.
How is this chaplet recited?
The Chaplet of Saint Gertrude is prayed on the commonly known and popular Marian Rosary of 59 beads: Cross + 1 + 3 + 1 + Medal + 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10 + 1 + 10
Introductory prayers: (same as the normal rosary prayers)
- At the Cross, pray the “Apostle’s Creed”
- Pray “Our Father” (1 time)
- Pray “Hail Mary” (3 times)
- Pray “Glory be” (1 time)
Chaplet prayers:
- On the medal / 4 large beads – say the “Our Father” (exactly like the normal rosary)
- On each of the 10 small beads (a decade) say the following 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.”
- At the end of each set of 10 beads, say the following prayers:
“Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, open the hearts and minds of sinners to the truth and light of God, the Father.”
“Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for the conversion of sinners and the world.”
- 1 “Glory be” (after each decade and the prayer listed here above as point number 7.)
- Continue on the beads till the chaplet is complete…. Our Father etc…
Summary of recitation:
Litany for the Poor Souls in Purgatory:
O Jesus Thou suffered and died so that all mankind may be brought to eternal happiness, hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:
My dear parents and grandparents, my Jesus mercy!
My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, my Jesus mercy!
My godparents and sponsors of confirmation, my Jesus mercy!
My spiritual and temporal benefactors, my Jesus mercy!
My friends and neighbors, my Jesus mercy!
All for whom love or duty bids me pray, my Jesus mercy!
Those who have offended me, my Jesus mercy!
Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me, my Jesus mercy!
Those who are especially beloved by Thee, my Jesus mercy!
Those whose release is near at hand, my Jesus mercy!
Those who desire most to be united to Thee, my Jesus mercy!
Those who endure the greatest sufferings, my Jesus mercy!
Those whose release is most remote, my Jesus mercy!
Those who are least remembered, my Jesus mercy!
Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, my Jesus mercy!
The rich, who now are the most destitute, my Jesus mercy!
The mighty, who now are powerless, my Jesus mercy!
The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, my Jesus mercy!
The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, my Jesus mercy!
The poor, who did not seek the treasures of heaven, my Jesus mercy!
The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer, my Jesus mercy!
The indolent, who neglected to perform good works, my Jesus mercy!
Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, my Jesus mercy!
The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, my Jesus mercy!
Parents who failed to watch over their children, my Jesus mercy!
Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy!
Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, my Jesus mercy!
The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God, my Jesus mercy!
Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, my Jesus mercy!
Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, my Jesus mercy!
Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy!
The popes, kings and rulers, my Jesus mercy!
The bishops and their counselors, my Jesus mercy!
My teachers and spiritual advisors, my Jesus mercy!
The deceased priests of this diocese, my Jesus mercy!
The priests and religious of the Catholic Church, my Jesus mercy!
The defenders of the holy faith, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died on the battlefield, my Jesus mercy!
Those who fought for their country, my Jesus mercy!
Those who were buried in the sea, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died of apoplexy, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died of heart attacks, my Jesus mercy!
Those who suffered and died of cancer, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died suddenly in accidents, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died without the last rites of the Church, my Jesus mercy!
Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, my Jesus mercy!
My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat, my Jesus mercy!
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: For evermore with Thy saints, because Thou art gracious.
May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: that Thou mayest both deliver them from all their sins, and make them to be partakers of Thy redemption. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Resources: Google search links; Weblinks: http://www.sistersofembracement.org/Chpgertrude.htm; YouTube link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRcDe5sfXX0; Links for prayers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOuZr2BfSSU&t=222s (youtube link to chaplet) other links: http://www.catholictradition.org/Gertrude/sg-chaplet.htm; Links to the Litany: (links: https://catholicexchange.com/litany-holy-souls-purgatory and YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_8RC0kIpFQ&pbjreload=10)