Feast Day: Oct 16
Gerard, youngest and only boy of five children of Dominic and Benedetta Majella of Muro, Italy was sickly
Even at 5, he prayed in a nearby chapel and came home with bread “from a handsome boy.” Curious, his sister followed and saw the Virgin and Child come alive! Jesus climbed down from his mother’s arms to play with the kneeling Gerard. That was only the first miracle. His first communion was given to him by Michael the Archangel himself. Only 12 when his tailor father died, Gerard apprenticed to a cruel tailor who beat him mercilessly. Later, as houseboy of a Bishop, the latchkey fell in the well as he fetched water. Gerard prayed as he tied a statue of Baby Jesus and lowered it into the water. Bystanders gasped upon seeing the latchkey on the statue’s hand.
Striving to be a Brother but in ill health, he was refused 3 times. Meanwhile, he set up shop at home. He didn’t make much because he gave away most of his income as apportioned: 1/3 for his mother, 1/3 for the poor and the lastly, Masses for the dead. He also rendered free service to the needy. Once, fabric brought for a suit was a few yards short when measured. Shyly, the customer admitted he had no more money. No problem. Gerard simply measured it again and wonder of wonders, it magically lengthened!
At 23, the Redemptorists accepted Gerard upon the recommendation of a priest who warned, “useless in physical work.” He surprised everyone by doing the work of 3 healthy men, serving as sacristan, porter, gardener, tailor and infirmarian. Impressed by his piety, wisdom and ability to read consciences, superiors allowed him to counsel communities of religious women.
Patronage:
Various groups claim St. Gerard as their patron saint like workingmen, expectant mothers for a happy delivery, for a good confession.
Reflection:
* I can’t help but be amazed at what a miracle-worker St. Gerard was. And to think that he was such a humble, self-effacing man, how admirable! On second thought, maybe the reason God so favored him with miraculous powers is precisely because of his humility, innate goodness and lack of love for material things.since birth. Obedient, selfless and patient, he was only 29 when TB claimed his life in 1775. Wonders crammed his life, it seemed he specialized in performing miracles. Grown pale and thin thru fasting and self-denial, he got weaker but this didn’t prevent him from healing the sick. Incredibly, he also levitated in ecstasy, bi-located by materializing in front of a superior to do his bidding even if he was somewhere else and produced loaves of bread from nothing. A farmer who lost his crops to rats asked him for money. Penniless himself, he commanded the pests to drop dead instead. Seeing a boatload of fishermen tossing in treacherous waves, he walked and pulled their boat to shore! He escaped from the adoring fishermen who chased him shouting, “Saint, saint!”
Even at 5, he prayed in a nearby chapel and came home with bread “from a handsome boy.” Curious, his sister followed and saw the Virgin and Child come alive! Jesus climbed down from his mother’s arms to play with the kneeling Gerard. That was only the first miracle. His first communion was given to him by Michael the Archangel himself. Only 12 when his tailor father died, Gerard apprenticed to a cruel tailor who beat him mercilessly. Later, as houseboy of a Bishop, the latchkey fell in the well as he fetched water. Gerard prayed as he tied a statue of Baby Jesus and lowered it into the water. Bystanders gasped upon seeing the latchkey on the statue’s hand.
Striving to be a Brother but in ill health, he was refused 3 times. Meanwhile, he set up shop at home. He didn’t make much because he gave away most of his income as apportioned: 1/3 for his mother, 1/3 for the poor and the lastly, Masses for the dead. He also rendered free service to the needy. Once, fabric brought for a suit was a few yards short when measured. Shyly, the customer admitted he had no more money. No problem. Gerard simply measured it again and wonder of wonders, it magically lengthened!
At 23, the Redemptorists accepted Gerard upon the recommendation of a priest who warned, “useless in physical work.” He surprised everyone by doing the work of 3 healthy men, serving as sacristan, porter, gardener, tailor and infirmarian. Impressed by his piety, wisdom and ability to read consciences, superiors allowed him to counsel communities of religious women.
Patronage:
Various groups claim St. Gerard as their patron saint like workingmen, expectant mothers for a happy delivery, for a good confession.
St Gerard is notably the patron saint of expectant mothers and childbirth. This patronage comes from a miracle where he was falsely accused by a pregnant woman of fathering her child; the woman later recanted her accusation.
His experience of being falsely accused also makes him the patron of those falsely accused. He’s also the patron of vocations.
Prayer to St. Gerard:
O Glorious Saint Gerard,
beloved servant of Jesus Christ,
perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior,
and devoted Child of the Mother of God,
enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity
which glowed in your heart and made you a seraph of love.
O glorious Saint Gerard,
because when falsely accused of crime,
you bore, 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 lustral waters of baptism
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Reflection:
* I can’t help but be amazed at what a miracle-worker St. Gerard was. And to think that he was such a humble, self-effacing man, how admirable! On second thought, maybe the reason God so favored him with miraculous powers is precisely because of his humility, innate goodness and lack of love for material things.since birth. Obedient, selfless and patient, he was only 29 when TB claimed his life in 1775. Wonders crammed his life, it seemed he specialized in performing miracles. Grown pale and thin thru fasting and self-denial, he got weaker but this didn’t prevent him from healing the sick. Incredibly, he also levitated in ecstasy, bi-located by materializing in front of a superior to do his bidding even if he was somewhere else and produced loaves of bread from nothing. A farmer who lost his crops to rats asked him for money. Penniless himself, he commanded the pests to drop dead instead. Seeing a boatload of fishermen tossing in treacherous waves, he walked and pulled their boat to shore! He escaped from the adoring fishermen who chased him shouting, “Saint, saint!”
*Emulating Humility and Charity: Reflect on the life of St. Gerard, particularly his humility, obedience, and charity. Despite hardships and false accusations, he remained devout and forgiving, embodying the Christian virtues of patience and love.
Trust in God during Trials: Gerard's life teaches us to maintain faith and trust in God, even when falsely accused or during times of hardship. Reflect on the importance of inner strength and faith in overcoming life’s challenges.
Care for Expectant Mothers: Gerard's patronage of expectant mothers invites us to pray for and support mothers-to-be, recognizing the sacredness of life and the challenges of motherhood.
St. Gerard's life is a testament to faith, humility, and the power of forgiveness, offering a spiritual model for all, especially those facing false accusations, expectant mothers, and those devoted to the care of others.
