St. Gertrude the Great was a German Benedictine nun known for her deep love for Jesus and her special devotion to the souls in purgatory. Jesus revealed to her the beautiful St. Gertrude Prayer, which helps release souls from purgatory through our intercession. Her feast day is a wonderful time to talk with children about praying for the faithfully departed and God’s great mercy.
Here are some simple, meaningful ways to celebrate this feast day as a family!
Color and Create with Our St. Gertrude Printables
We’ve created a St. Gertrude Coloring Page and a Prayer Heart Garland Craft inspired by her love for Jesus and her prayer for souls. As your children color or create their garland, talk about how every prayer, no matter how small, can bring comfort to souls in need of God’s mercy.
Enjoy a German-Inspired Meal
Celebrate St. Gertrude’s feast day with a meal from her homeland! Try making (or buying!) some simple German-inspired dishes such as:
- Soft pretzels with mustard
- Sausages or bratwurst with sauerkraut
- Potato pancakes (latkes)
- Apple strudel or Black Forest cake for dessert
It’s a fun way to bring a bit of St. Gertrude’s culture to your family table while talking about her life in the monastery and her love for prayer.
Visit a Cemetery and Pray for the Faithfully Departed
St. Gertrude is known for her powerful prayer for souls in purgatory. Take time as a family to visit a local cemetery and pray for those who have died, especially using our St. Gertrude Prayer Card. You can pray aloud together:
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, for those in my own home and within my family. Amen.
