St. Gerard Majella

St. Gerard is the patron saint of Mothers and expecting Mothers as well as the falsely accused, and for good confessions. More and more mothers are turning to St. Gerard Majella as the special patron. Women who have been childless for years have prayed to St. Gerard and have been rewarded with healthy children Women who have been warned of serious danger to themselves and their unborn children have called upon this saint in full confidence and have had the happiness of holding normal children in their arms. Mothers have learned to rely upon St. Gerard in all their problems regarding the bearing or rearing of children. It would seem that God has reserved a special role for St. Gerard in our days when mothers are so much in need of his help. St. Gerard Majella, who is the  patron of mothers was in fact never married. Learn more about the incredible life of St. Gerard Majella!

 

The Biography of St. Gerard Majella

He found his vocation in being a lay brother. Pope Pius IX tells us that Gerard is “a perfect model for those of his own condition, the lay brothers.” Gerard was born at Muro, fifty miles south of Naples, on April 1726. He was frail, and his parents had him baptized the day he was born. His mother testified after his death: “My child’s only happiness was in church, on his knees before the Blessed Sacrament. She said that he would stay there for hours forgetting that it time for dinner. “In the house, he prayed all day. He was bound for Heaven.”

When Gerard was twelve his father died. He left school and became an apprentice to a tailor. The tailor himself was kind to Gerard, but the journeyman took a strange dislike to the inoffensive boy and showed his anger by blows and curses. Gerard bore the treatment with patience.

 

St. Gerard Worked Hard for his Family & God

Gerard learned his trade very well and then applied for admittance to the Capuchins. They refused him because of his poor health. He then became a servant for the Bishop of Lacedonia, a man exceedingly hard to please. Gerard served the Bishop faithfully and without complaint till the latter died in 1745. Then he set up his own tailor shop. One third of his earnings went to his mother and his three sisters; one third went to the poor; what remained after he took out his own meager expenses went in stipends for Masses for the souls in Purgatory. He spent several hours of every night in prayer in the cathedral.

When Gerard was twenty-three a mission was given in Muro by some priests of the newly founded society of the Most Holy Redeemer. Gerard offered himself to these Redemptorists as a lay brother. Again he was refused because of his poor health. He per sister. Finally, Father Cafaro sent him to the Redemptorist house at Iliceto with the note: “I send you a useless brother.” This “useless” lay brother was soon doing the work of four men.

St. Gerard Takes Religious Vows

He worked so hard that it was said of him: “Either he is a fool or a great saint.” The founder of the Redemptorists, Alphonsus Liguori, now St. Alphonsus, knew which he was and shortened his novitiate. He served many roles for the Redemptorist community from gardener, tailor and cook, to carpenter, sacristan, and porter

When Gerard made the usual vows of a religious he added one of his own: Whenever he had a choice of two or more possible courses, he would choose the way he considered most pleasing to God. Gerard advanced rapidly in sanctity. His prayer life was continual and his spirit of obedience was perfect. One day Gerard was praying before the tabernacle and a priest who was nearby heard him cry out: “Lord, let me go, I pray Thee I have work that I must do!” During the three years that Gerard was a lay brother he worked as a tailor and sick room attendant, he begged for the house, and he traveled with the missionary priests. He was of great assistance to the priests in bringing sinners to repentance. On at least twenty occasions he did this by revealing to the sinners the secrets of their consciences.

 

St. Gerard and the Supernatural

It was also during these three years that a number of supernatural phenomena took place. Sometimes while he was meditating he rose several feet above the ground. He knew about the murder of the Archpriest of Muro at the very time it happened fifty miles aw Several times he was seen and spoken to in two places at the same time. He restored life to a boy who had fallen from a high cliff. He blessed the scanty wheat supply of a poor family and it lasted till the next harvest.

The rector once looked for Gerard in his cell and could not find him. Later he saw Gerard in church and asked him where he had been.

“In my cell,” Gerard replied.

“What do you mean? I looked in your cell twice and I didn’t see you.” Gerard then said reluctantly: “I was in the cell but I was in retreat and wanted to meditate without being disturbed. I asked God to make me invisible.” “Well, I forgive you this time,” said the rector. “But don’t say that kind of prayer again.”

God will Provide

No person has ever been canonized because of marvels that were performed through him. Gerard is no exception. It was not because of the marvels that Gerard was canonized but because of his great holiness. In 1754 Neira Caggiano, a girl whom Gerard had befriended, determined to destroy the reputation of her benefactor. In a letter to Alphonsus Liguori she accused Gerard of sins of impurity with the younger daughter of a family at whose house Gerard sometimes stayed on his missionary journeys.

Alphonsus called Gerard before him, but Gerard did not deny the charge. Alphonsus could not believe that Gerard was guilty but he was forced to take action. He Alphonsus ordered St. Gerard  to leave the monastery. Gerard’s friends pleaded with him to deny the charge, but Gerard merely said: “God will provide.” Those words were the motto of his entire life. Some time later Neira became dangerously ill and retracted the false story. Gerard had not been depressed in the time of trial, and he was not elated in the hour of his vindication. In both cases he felt that the will of God had been done.

Gerard was always in poor health and when he was seized by violent hemorrhages of the lungs it was evident that he did not have long to live. He had this sign placed on the door of the room where he lay on his deathbed: “The will of God is done here, as God wills it and as long as He wills it.”

He died on the day and at the hour he had foretold, just before midnight, October 15, 1755. Thousands came to view the body of the “saint” who had helped them so much. After his death miracles attributed to his intercession were reported from all over Italy. He was beatified in 1893 and canonized in 1904.

St. Gerard Patron Saint of Mothers & Children

St. Gerard has been invoked as the patron saint of workingmen, of vocations, and of good confessions. But he is known principally for his intercession in behalf of mothers and children. During his life there were two examples of his remarkable power to help mothers.

As he was leaving the Pirofalo home one day, the young daughter ran to give him a handkerchief he had forgotten. He said: “Keep it. It will be useful some day.” Years later when the girl had married and was in danger of death from childbirth she called for the handkerchief. Almost immediately she delivered a healthy baby. On another occasion the prayers of Gerard were re quested by a mother when she and her unborn child were in danger. Both the mother and the child came through the danger safely. The devotion of mothers to St. Gerard increased greatly after his death.

 

St. Gerard Patron Saint of Happy Delivery

A witness at his beatification testified that Gerard was known as the “Saint of happy delivery.” Many hospitals have dedicated their maternity wards to him and distribute St. Gerard medals and leaflets to mothers awaiting delivery. Many mothers have named their children after their patron. Various reasons have been brought forth to explain why God has given St. Gerard such power to help mothers. Perhaps the best explanation is his complete trust in God, a virtue needed by every mother. Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Gerard Majella on October 16th

Why is St. Gerard Majella the patron saint of childbirth?

St. Gerard Majella is the patron saint of expectant mothers, childbirth, and the falsely accused. This is due to the various miraculous events that are associated with his life and his role in caring for pregnant women and their families.

One of the most famous stories about St. Gerard involves a woman who was falsely accused of adultery and was about to be sentenced to death. Gerard interceded on her behalf, and the woman was miraculously cleared of all charges. This event led to Gerard being venerated as a patron saint of the falsely accused.

Gerard is also known for his devotion to expectant mothers and their families. He is said to have had the ability to ease the pains of childbirth and to help with difficult pregnancies. As a result, he has come to be seen as a patron saint of expectant mothers and childbirth.

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Miracles of St. Gerard Majella

There are several miraculous events that are associated with the life of St. Gerard Majella. Here are a few examples:

1. Gerard is said to have had the ability to ease the pains of childbirth and to help with difficult pregnancies. In one famous story, Gerard is said to have prayed over a pregnant woman who was experiencing complications, and the woman gave birth to a healthy baby without any further problems.

2. Gerard is also known for his ability to perform miracles of healing. For example, it is said that he was able to cure a woman who was suffering from a severe case of epilepsy, simply by touching her and praying over her.

3. One of the most famous stories about Gerard involves a woman who was falsely accused of adultery and was about to be sentenced to death. Gerard interceded on her behalf, and the woman was miraculously cleared of all charges. This event led to Gerard being venerated as a patron saint of the falsely accused.

4. Gerard was also known for his gift of prophecy, and is said to have foretold future events on several occasions. For example, it is said that he predicted the date of his own death and the exact time of his passing.

OTHER SAINTS OF THE SAME NAME:

• St. Gerard, 935-994. Bishop of Toul in France. Feast Day: April 23
• St. Gerard of Brogne, d. 959. Abbot of Brogne in Belgium. Feast Day: October 3.
• St. Gerard, d. 1046. Martyred-bishop of China, apostle of the Hungarian Feast Day: September 24.

 

Prayers to St. Gerard Majella

Prayer to St. Gerard for Mothers

O Good St Gerard, powerful intercessor before God and wonder worker of our day, confidently I call upon you and seek your aid. On Earth, you always fulfilled God’s designs, help me now to do the holy will of God. Implore the Master of Life, from whom all paternity proceeds, to render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life, and in the world to come, heirs to the Kingdom of His Glory. Amen.

 

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Prayer to St. Gerard for a Safe Delivery

O Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.

O Glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of a crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers.

Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Intercession to St. Gerard Majella

O St. Gerard, you were known for your deep love of God and your dedication to serving the poor and the sick. Please pray for me that I may have the same love for God and a heart for those in need.

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Prayer to St. Gerard Majella

O dear St. Gerard, you were a man of great faith and trust in God’s will. Please intercede for me that I may have the same faith and trust, and that I may always seek to do God’s will in my life.

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Prayer to St. Gerard Majella

O St. Gerard, you were a powerful intercessor and were known for performing many miracles. Please pray for me that I may have the grace to call upon your intercession and to trust in God’s power to work wonders in my life.

Children’s Story about the life of St. Gerard Majella

There was once a young man named Gerard who lived in a small village in Italy. Gerard was a kind and generous person, and he loved to help others. He spent much of his time caring for the sick and the poor, and he always tried to make everyone he met feel loved and valued.

One of the things Gerard was most known for was his ability to perform miracles. He had a special gift from God that allowed him to heal people who were sick or injured. Many people came to Gerard for help, and he always did his best to help them.

Gerard was also very devoted to expectant mothers and their families. He knew how important it was for babies to be born healthy and strong, and he prayed for all the expectant mothers in his village. Many people said that Gerard’s prayers helped to make their pregnancies easier and their childbirths smoother.

As he grew older, Gerard became a member of the Redemptorist religious order. He spent the rest of his life serving God and helping others, and he became known as a saint for his kindness and generosity. Today, Gerard is remembered as a patron saint of expectant mothers, childbirth, and the falsely accused, and his feast day is celebrated on October 16th.

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Reflection on the Feast of St. Gerard Majella

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Gerard Majella on October 16th. The Feast of St. Gerard Majella is a time to reflect on the life and legacy of this remarkable saint. St. Gerard was known for his devotion to the poor and his ability to perform miracles, particularly in the areas of healing and childbirth. He was also a patron saint of the falsely accused, and is remembered for his intercession on behalf of those who were facing injustice.

As we celebrate St. Gerard’s feast day, we can give thanks for the example he set as a person of compassion and generosity, and for the ways in which he used his gifts and talents to serve others. We can also pray for the grace to follow in his footsteps, to be kind and compassionate towards those in need, and to use our own gifts and talents to serve God and others.

In a world that can sometimes be harsh and unforgiving, St. Gerard’s example reminds us of the importance of showing love and kindness to others, and of using our gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the world. May his intercession help us to cultivate these virtues in our own lives.

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Lessons learned from St. Gerard Majella

Here are a few lessons that can be learned from the life of St. Gerard Majella:

1. The importance of prayer: St. Gerard was known for his deep faith and his devotion to prayer. He saw prayer as a way to connect with God and to seek guidance and strength.

2. The value of service to others: St. Gerard was known for his love of the poor and the sick, and he dedicated his life to serving others. He is an example of the importance of reaching out to those in need and showing compassion and concern for others.

3. The power of faith: St. Gerard was a man of great faith, and he trusted in God even in the face of difficulties and challenges. His example reminds us of the importance of having strong faith and trusting in God’s plan for our lives.

4. The value of humility: Despite his many virtues, St. Gerard was known for his humility and his willingness to listen to others. He is an example of the importance of remaining humble and open to the wisdom of others.

Saints Similar to St. Gerard

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Gerard Majella and the Biography of St. Germaine Cousin and the Biography of St. Gianna Beretta Molla. St. Gerard and St. Gerard Majella share similar names and are both recognized as saints. St. Germaine Cousin and St. Gianna Beretta Molla are separate saints in the list. Next up: Biography of St. Gerard Majella

 

Also check out our handmade St. Gerard Medal and St. Gerard Rosary and St. Gerard Rosary Bracelet .