Saint Gerard is reknown as a wonder-worker and a patron of mothers under many titles. He is called upon by childless mothers, by expectant/pregnant mothers, and during time of childbirth.
During his life, he helped mothers in need. After his death in 1755, there has been a continuous flow of extraordinary favours granted to mothers who prayed to him. Today there are millions who look to him for help in obtaining the blessing of motherhood and in the difficulties attendant on motherhood.
In 1893, Pope Leo XIII beatified him.
On December 11, 1904, Pope Pius X canonized him as a Saint.
__________
Prayer to Saint Gerard Majella
O Great St. Gerard,
beloved servant of Jesus Christ,
perfect imitator of thy meek and humble Saviour,
and devoted Child of the Mother of God:
enkindle within my heart one spark of that Heavenly fire of charity
which glowed in thee and made thee a seraph of love.
O glorious St. Gerard,
because when falsely accused of crime, *
thou didst bear,
like thy Divine Master,
without murmur or complaint,
the calumnies of wicked men,
thou hast 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 lustrial waters of baptism,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
* [Saint Gerard Majella, like many other holy brothers and priests, was falsely accused of sexual assault. Consequently, he was isolated from the public and denied access to the Sacrament of Holy Communion, the later being his greatest punishment. Never once did he defend himself against the false accusation of the woman who admitted to her lies on her death bed. After all, how can one defend himself? It is the word of one person against another!]
NEW - A spiritually uplifting book on St Gerard Majella
"YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN."
The soul, which is the infinity of man which every person has within them, is the place where God is and yet, ready to be found. The course St Gerard set on uncharted waters of human frailty were his Resolutions, a pact between himself and God. His first resolution was total conformity to the will of God and his total obedience to his superiors. We often make resolutions and break them; Gerard made them and kept them. He found the will of God as a tailor, a gardener, a sacristan and a doorkeeper. He wore the coat of obedience exactly and absolutely and, through his penances and prayers, a soul committed to God gradually emerged. There followed the great virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith, displayed by the marvellous miracles he won from God; Hope, in the miraculous counsel he gave to men and women; and Charity in his commitment to poor and suffering souls.
Click here to Order this book.
