St. Gerard
Other Names : Saitn Gerard Majella
Ailments
- Children (and unborn children in particular);
- childbirth; mothers (and expectant mothers in particular)
- motherhood
- falsely accused people
Biography
Gerard Majella, C.Ss.R. (April 6, 1726 – October 16, 1755), was an Italian lay brother of the Congregation of the Redeemer, better known as the Redemptorists, who is honored as a saint by the Catholic Church. This saint is honored throughout the world, not only in Italy but especially in the United States and Canada.
He was known especially for caring for the poor and for many miracles that seemed to be impossible. He is said to have increased a family's small supply of grain that then lasted until the last harvest; walked on water to help rescue a group of fisherman; and many others including the ability to bi-locate and to read people's souls.
He especially invoked by expectant mothers due to an incident that happened after his death. He had dropped a handkerchief at a home in Oliveto Citra, where he went to visit, and a little girl in the family ran after him to give it to him. He told her to keep it, which she did. As an adult this young girl was giving birth and it appeared that she was about to die. She remembered the incident, and asked that it be brought to her. It was placed on her womb and immediately the pain ceased and she gave birth to a healthy baby. The handkerchief was passed on from generation to generation. It is for this reason that he is invoked by so many expectant parents.
Majella's last will consisted of a small note on the door of his cell saying, "Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills." He died on October 16, 1755 in Caposele, Campania, of tuberculosis, aged 29.
Celebration Day
16 October
Pilgrimage
- Saint Gerard's shrine at Materdomini : http://www.sangerardo.eu/
