S5 E10 What Jesus Wants Us to Know: St. Gertrude the Great with Dana Nygaard

Shownotes

For the longest time, Jennifer thought purgatory was a place of limbo. Somewhere you went after you died and it was there that God determined whether or not you went to Heaven. She thought if you went to purgatory, you could still go to Hell. Thanks to learning more about the Catholic faith and, more specifically purgatory, Jennifer has come to realize this is not true. But it raises questions: If your soul does go to purgatory, how does it get out? Is there something specific one must do in order to get to heaven? Are there any saints or prayers that can help us or, more importantly, help our loved ones make the leap from purgatory to Heaven? 

In this week’s episode, Andrea and Jennifer have a conversation with guest Dana Nygaard about this and more.

Our Guest

Dana Nygaard is a Catholic Licensed Professional Counselor, who has a devotion to St. Gertrude the Great. Especially after the death of her Father Bennie, she found great consolation in St. Gertrude’s prayers. Welcome to the show, Dana

Biographies of St. Gertrude the Great 

• Catholic Culture Bio of St. Gertrude  

• Given Institute Bio of St. Gertrude  

• Sacred Heart: St. Gertrude the Great  

Links

• Descriptive and clear bible passages about Purgatory (National Catholic Register)

• St. Gertrude bringing comfort and joy (TheDivineMercy.org) 

• “In Heaven We’ll Meet Again by Fr. Francois Rene Blot

• MGP Private Online Community

Scripture

• 2 Maccabees 12:44-45

• Psalm 46:08

• 1 Corinthians 3: 11-13 

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great  for the 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.

Prayer for the souls of Fr. Richard Hart, a former priest of Jennifer's and the souls in Purgatory

Journaling Questions

1. Dana talks about Holy Spirit goose bumps and how she knows He is working in our lives. Have there been times where you have felt Holy Spirit goosebumps? What peaceful encounter did you experience?

2. Like St. Gertrude, how does God use our talents and gifts to glorify him? In what times do we need to withdraw from those gifts so that we can focus on Him? 

3. Who is someone in your life right now that needs prayer? 

4. Think of opportunities throughout the day to ask the souls of purgatory to intercede. How can this be a gift for the faithfully departed? 

5. How can you make the prayer of St. Gertrude a regular part of your prayers in November? 

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. 

God Bless!