One of the most powerful prayers in the Catholic tradition — and one that has been passed from generation to generation, from mother to child, from classroom to kitchen table.

According to a beloved Catholic tradition, Our Lord appeared to St. Gertrude the Great and promised that each time this prayer is said with a sincere heart, 1,000 souls are released from purgatory. For Catholics who carry their departed loved ones in prayer, this card is more than a devotional — it is an act of mercy.

This beautifully laminated prayer card by Shawn Kilgarlin keeps that prayer close at hand. Shawn first discovered the power of this devotion through her own family — her daughter Isabella once prayed it 100 times in a single sitting after learning it at school. That kind of faith, simple and wholehearted, is exactly what this card is meant to inspire.

As a wife, mother of four, and mental health clinician, Shawn designs each card in this collection to meet people in real moments of life — grief, hope, love, and the desire to do something meaningful for those we’ve lost. This card is for all of them.

• Beautifully laminated with gold color accents and finest detail
• Cardstock — 2.5" x 4.5" (wallet-size, fits in a Bible, pocket, or purse)
• Classic sacred art image of St. Gertrude on the front, full prayer on the back
• Doubles as a bookmark for your Bible or prayer book
• Perfect for personal devotion, sympathy gifts, or All Souls Day remembrance
• Available in packs of 3, 10, 25, 50, and 100

The Prayer on the Back:
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.

About St. Gertrude the Great

St. Gertrude the Great (1256–1302) was a German Benedictine mystic and one of the most remarkable women of the medieval Church. Entering the monastery at Helfta at just five years old, she devoted her entire life to God, Scripture, and contemplative prayer.

At the age of 25, she experienced a profound conversion and began receiving mystical visions of Christ. Her writings — particularly The Herald of Divine Love — are considered among the greatest works of Christian mysticism. She is one of the few women in Church history to be given the title “the Great.”

St. Gertrude is the patron saint of the West Indies and of those who have died. Her feast day is celebrated on November 16th.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really true that this prayer releases 1,000 souls from purgatory?
This is a beloved Catholic tradition rooted in the private revelations of St. Gertrude the Great, in which Our Lord is said to have made this promise. While private revelations are not required belief for Catholics, this prayer has been cherished and passed down for centuries as a powerful act of intercession for the Holy Souls. Many Catholics pray it daily, especially in November during the Month of the Holy Souls.

Who was St. Gertrude the Great?
St. Gertrude was a 13th-century German Benedictine mystic who entered religious life as a young child and became one of the most celebrated contemplatives in Church history. She received mystical visions of Christ and wrote extensively about divine love and mercy. She is one of the few saints given the title “the Great” and is the patron of those who have died.

When is the best time to pray this prayer?
Many Catholics pray it daily, especially during November (the Month of the Holy Souls), on All Souls Day (November 2nd), after Mass, or whenever they wish to pray for a deceased loved one. There is no wrong time to offer this prayer — it is an act of charity and love for those who have gone before us.

Can I give this as a sympathy gift?
Absolutely. This card is one of the most meaningful sympathy gifts you can offer a grieving Catholic family. It gives them something tangible to do with their grief — to pray, to intercede, to trust that their love for the departed can still reach beyond this life.

About the Kilgarlin Prayer Card Collection:
Each card in this collection is thoughtfully designed by Shawn Kilgarlin as part of a growing devotional line rooted in Catholic faith, prayer, and spiritual encouragement. Her mission is simple: to leave behind something that helps people pray.