Gerard Majella

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Saint Gerard Majella
Born April 6, 1726, Muro Lucano, Italy
Died October 16, 1755, Caposele, Italy
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Beatified January 29, 1893 by Pope Leo XIII
Canonized December 11, 1904 by Pope Pius X
Feast October 16
Patronage Children (and unborn children in particular); childbirth; mothers (and expectant mothers in particular); motherhood; falsely accused people; good confessions; lay brothers; and Muro Lucano, Italy.
Saints Portal

Saint Gerard Majella (born on 6 April 1726 in Muro Lucano, Italy - died 16 October 1755 in Caposele, Campania, Italy) is a Catholic saint. He is a saint whose intercession is requested for children (and unborn children in particular), childbirth, mothers (and expectant mothers in particular), motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy.

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[edit] Background

When he was born he was given the name Gerardo Maiella. He was the son of a tailor who died when Gerard was twelve, leaving the family in poverty. He tried to join the Capuchin order, but his health prevented it. He was though accepted as a Redemptorist lay brother serving his congregation as sacristan, gardener, ostiarius, infirmarian, and tailor.

When falsely accused by a pregnant woman of being the father of her child, he retreated to silence. She later recanted and cleared him, and thus began his association as patron of all aspects of pregnancy. He was reputed to bilocate and read consciences. His 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 of tuberculosis. He was aged 29.

[edit] Veneration

Gerard was Beatified on January 29, 1893 by Pope Leo XIII, and was canonised on December 11, 1904 by Pope Saint Pius X. He was featured on an Italian 45-euro postage stamp in May 2005. The feast day of Saint Gerard Majella is October 16. St. Gerard Majella Annual Novena takes place every year in St. Josephs Church, Dundalk, Ireland. This annual nine day novena is the biggest festival of faith in Ireland.

[edit] Quotations

Some quotations attrinuted to Gerard Majella include,

  • "The Most Blessed Sacrament is Christ made visible. The poor sick person is Christ again made visible."
  • "I see in my neighbor the Person of Jesus Christ."
  • "Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support?"
  • "Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?"

[edit] Further reading

[edit] External links