St. Gertrude the Great Novena Archives

Day 9 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 9 – For the Grace of Humility

On this final day of this novena, we turn our hearts to St. Gertrude’s profound example of holy poverty. Her life, rich in virtue and devotion, continues to be a beacon that leads us to the true riches found in Christ. In the glory of heaven, she now stands before God, offering her prayers on our behalf. Let us humbly ask for the grace of humility so that we, too, may embrace the spiritual poverty that opens us to God’s infinite grace. And with trusting hearts, we ask St. Gertrude to intercede for the personal intention we carry through this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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Day 8 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 8 – For the Grace of a Greater Devotion to the Sacred Heart

St. Gertrude had a great devotion to her beloved patron, St. John the Evangelist. With aid of his Gospel and the action of the Holy Spirit, she deeply perceived the unceasing love of Jesus Christ for us, particularly through His Sacred Heart, which is an enduring symbol of His divine love and mercy. St. Gertrude’s insights laid the groundwork for the devotion that St. Margaret Mary Alacoque would later be known for. In the spirit of St. Gertrude, may we present our heartfelt intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, embracing His unfailing love. May she also intercede in the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 7 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 7 – For the Grace of a Greater Love of the Holy Eucharist

St. Gertrude embraced the Mass as a profound encounter with Christ’s redemptive suffering. Let us reflect on this prayer that she composed,

‘Through this Mass, I offer You in reparation, loving Father, all the sufferings of Your Son from His first cry in the manger to His last breath on the Cross. In my humble state, I praise and adore Your mercy,’ Amen.

Let us ask St. Gertrude to intercede for us as we seek to unite our own joys and sorrows with the Eucharistic sacrifice. May this act of communion inspire us to live out each day in accordance with God’s loving plan for our lives. May she also intercede in the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 6 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 6 – For the Grace of Holy Recollection

St. Gertrude cherished the scene of the shepherds in quiet awe as they discovered the Infant Jesus, cradled in the humble stable by Mary and Joseph. This tender image served as her daily reminder to remain conscious of God’s intimate presence and to observe her emotions as carefully as a shepherd tends their flock. Let us ask St. Gertrude to intercede for us, that we might receive the grace to keep our hearts attuned to the gentle movements of the Holy Spirit and to the loving encounters we experience throughout our day, and may she also intercede in the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 5 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 5 – For the Grace of Compassion, especially for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

St. Gertrude was given a vision by Jesus of a golden table adorned with luminous pearls, each representing a prayer for the Souls in Purgatory. Let us join our prayers to this offering, trusting in God’s infinite and divine mercy. May St. Gertrude aid us in lifting our prayers for the holy souls, enveloping them in the love and compassion of Christ. May she intercede for us for the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 4 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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Santa Gertrudes de Helfta Museu de Arte Religiosa de Puebla (México) – Foto: Francisco Lecaros

St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 4 – For the Grace of Right Intention

St. Gertrude asked Jesus for fewer distractions in her days to have more time for prayer. The Lord answered her, “If I took pleasure only in spiritual exercises, I would have reformed human nature after Adam’s fall so that it would not need food, clothing, or other things. I require only that your will be directed to me with a right intention”. St. Gertrude mastered the Benedictine call to balance the active and contemplative life. Her dialogue with the Lord teaches us that sanctity lies not in tasks but in intention. We pray for her guidance to discern daily God’s will. May she also intercede for the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 3 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 3 – For the Grace of Holy Counsel

St. Gertrude, at only 30 years old, became the leader of her monastery. For more than 40 years, she guided her community with love and wisdom. May she inspire us to listen deeply to God’s voice and discern His will for our lives. May she intercede for us with our intention for this novena if it be in alignment with the will of the Father.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 2 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 2 – For the Grace of Holy Zeal

St. Gertrude the Great is held in the highest regard for her unwavering love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her profound compassion for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Esteemed by many of her fellow saints, including St. Teresa of Avila, St. Gertrude’s spiritual insights have long inspired the faithful. With reverence, we invoke her patronage and beseech her to intercede for us that we may receive the graces most suited to our spiritual growth and needs (mention personal intention). May she also intercede for the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us

For the entire novena visit: A Novena to St. Gertrude the Great – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 1 – St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts

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St. Gertrude the Great Novena – Day 1 – For the Grace of Self-Knowledge and Holy Understanding

As we begin our novena on this day, we reflect upon the providential beginnings of St. Gertrude, born on the Feast of the Epiphany in 1256. At the tender age of five, she was entrusted to the care of the holy St. Mechtilde at the Benedictine monastery, which became her lifelong spiritual home. Gertrude acknowledged that had she not been nurtured in such sanctity from her youth; she might have strayed far from her spiritual calling. Let us seek the intercession of St. Gertrude that we may have the grace to acknowledge our own sins of commission and omission. Let us pray together for the knowledge to recognize our missteps and the grace to pursue perfect contrition for our sins. May she also intercede in the intention we bring to this novena.

We join St. Gertrude in a prayer she composed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory:

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.

St. Gertrude the Great, pray for us