ST. GERARD MAJELLA Patron of Childbirth, Children, Falsely Accused People, Fever, Infants, Midwives, Newborn Babies, Obstetricians, & Pregnant Women
This humble servant of God also had the faculties of levitation and bi-location associated with certain mystics. His charity, obedience, and selfless service as well as his ceaseless mortification for Christ, made him the perfect model of lay brothers. He was afflicted with tuberculosis and died in 1755 at the age of twenty-nine.
This great saint is invoked as a patron of expectant mothers as a result of a miracle effected through his prayers for a woman in labor.
PRAYERS
For Motherhood
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.
For Mother with Child
O almighty and Everlasting God Who through the operation of the Holy Christ, didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mary to be a worthy dwelling place of Thy divine Son; and, through the operation of the same Holy Ghost, didst sanctify Saint John the Baptist, while still in his mother’s womb; hearken to the prayers of Thy humble servant who implore thee, through the intercession of Saint Gerard, to protect her (me); that it may be cleansed by the saving water of baptism and, after a Christian life on earth, it may with its mother, attain everlasting bliss in Heaven. Amen.
Prayer 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 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 in Thanks of a Safe Delivery
Good Saint Gerard, patron of mothers, assist me in thanking God for the great gift of motherhood. During the months of my waiting, I learned to call upon you and placed the safety of my child and myself under your powerful protection. The great lesson of your trust in God sustained me; your slogan, "God will provide," became my hope and consolation. I thank God for my child and for motherhood. Help me to prize the great treasure of motherhood and obtain for me the grace to raise my child as a child of God.
Amen.
For a Sick Child
O Saint Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even from death; graciously look down upon the distressed parents who plead with thee for their child’s health if such be the Will, of God. Present their promise to God to bring up the child a good Christian and to guard it by word and example against the fatal leprosy of sin. This favor we implore thee, O sainted Brother, through the tender love with which Jesus and Mary blessed thy own innocent childhood. Amen.
In Time of Trial
O Sainted Brother Gerard, whose heart went out to the unfortunate; who relieved so many poor, healed so many sick, comforted so many afflicted; behold me worried and troubled as I kneel at thy feet. In vain to turn to men to seek consolation and help; therefore, do I have recourse to thee thou who art so powerful in heaven. Graciously assist me, Saint Gerard, that being freed from this trial or strengthened to bear it for the love of God, I may praise and thank God and serve Him with greater love and fervor. Amen.
For Special Blessings
Dear Saint Gerard we rejoice in thy happiness and glory; we bless the Lord Who endowed thee with the choicest gifts of His Grace; we congratulate thee for corresponding so faithfully with them. Obtain for us, we pray thee, some part of thy angelic purity, thy burning love for Jesus in the Tabernacle, thy tender devotion to Mary Immaculate. In thy brotherly love which made thee the support of the poor, the comforter of the afflicted and the apostle of the most forsaken souls, grant me the favors for which I now pray.
(Here mention them privately)
O most Powerful Patron, who hast always helped those who prayed to thee intercede for me before the Throne of God. O Good Saint, to thee I confide my fervent prayers; graciously accept them and, before the end of these days of prayer, let me experience in some way the effects of thy powerful intercession. Amen.
O most Powerful Patron, who hast always helped those who prayed to thee intercede for me before the Throne of God. O Good Saint, to thee I confide my fervent prayers; graciously accept them and, before the end of these days of prayer, let me experience in some way the effects of thy powerful intercession. Amen.
To Obtain Patience
O powerful and everlasting God, Who didst endow Thy faithful Servant Saint Gerard with an invincible patience in the midst of contradictions and persecutions, slanders and infirmities, and didst thereby make him an image of Thy suffering and crucified Son; grant, we beseech Thee, that fixing our eyes on the crucifix, as he did, we may through patience, atone for our sins and prove our love. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Sick Person
O God, Who didst bestow on Saint Gerard the power of healing all kinds of infirmities, deign to glorify Thy Servant, who was so merciful toward human misery, by delivering me from my present sickness. Grant also that, being strengthened in body, I may take greater care to avoid sin and overcome my evil passions, the spiritual diseases that drag so many to everlasting death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Temporal Needs
O God, Who didst so often give to Saint Gerard power to supply the needs of the poor, grant us the grace which we implore of Thee (here mention your need), through the intercession of Thy most charitable Servant, that being helped in our present need, we may with our whole heart love and serve Thee, our only Treasure in time and eternity. Amen.
In Thanksgiving to St. Gerard for Some Favor Received
Loving and caring God, I thank you for giving St. Gerard to Your Church as our protector and friend. By his example, he showed us how to love and trust You. Through his intercession, You have granted me the answer to my prayers. I offer You my most heartfelt gratitude for answering my request (state your request). Help me always to be mindful of Your constant care for me. May I show my thankfulness by showing kindness and compassion to those around me. Amen.
Nine Day Novena
Novena to Saint Gerard
Strive each day to practice in the virtue indicated in the petition.
Strive each day to practice in the virtue indicated in the petition.
1st Day
Saint Gerard, ever full of faith obtain for me that, believing firmly all that the Church of God
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2nd Day
Saint Gerard, most generous saint, who from thy tenderest years didst care so little for the goods of earth, grant that I may place all my confidence in Jesus Christ alone, my true Treasure, who alone can make me happy in time and in eternity.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3rd Day
Saint Gerard, bright seraph of love, who despising all earthly love, didst consecrate thy life to the service of God and thy neighbor, promoting God’s glory in thy lowly state, and ever ready to assist the distressed and console the sorrowful, ob5tain for me, I beseech thee, that loving God the only God and my neighbor for His sake, I may be hereafter united to Him for ever in glory.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
4th Day
Saint Gerard, spotless lily of purity, by the angelic virtue and thy wonderful innocence of life thou didst receive from the Infant Jesus and His Immaculate Mother, sweet pledges of tenderest love, grant, I beseech thee, that I may ever strive in my life-long fight, and thus win the crown that awaits the brave and the true.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
5th Day
Saint Gerard, model of holy obedience, who through thy life didst heroically submit the judgment to those who represent Jesus Christ to thee, thus sanctifying thy lowliest actions, obtain for me from God cheerful admission to His Holy Will and the virtue of perfect obedience, that I may be made comfortable to Jesus, my Model, who was obedient even to death.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6th Day
Saint Gerard, most perfect imitator of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, do thou whose greatest glory was to be humble and lowly, obtain that I too, knowing my littleness in God’s sight, may be found worthy to enter the kingdom that is promised to the humble and lowly of heart.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
7th Day
Saint Gerard, unconquered hero, most patient in suffering, do thou who didst glory in infirmity, and under slander and most cruel ignominy didst rejoice to suffer with Christ, obtain for me patience and resignation in my sorrows, that I may bravely bear the cross that is to gain for me the crown of everlasting glory.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
8th Day
Saint Gerard, true lover of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, do thou who didst kneel long hours before the Tabernacle, and there didst taste the joys of the Paradise . Obtain for me, I beseech thee, the spirit of prayer and an undying love for the Most Holy Sacrament, that thus receiving frequently the Body and Blood of Jesus, I may daily grow in His holy love and merit the priceless grace of loving Him even to the end.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
9th Day
Saint Gerard, most favorite child of heaven, to whom Mary gave the Infant Jesus in the day of thy childhood, to whom she sweetly came before thou didst close thine eyes In death, obtain for me I beseech thee, so to seek and love my Blessed Mother during life, that she may be my joy and consolation in this valley of tears, until with thee, before the throne of God, I may praise her goodness for all eternity. Amen.
Then say Nine Hail Marys, with the following Versicle and Prayer.
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
Let us Pray
O Almighty and everlasting God, who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard, even from his tenderest years, making him conformable to the Image of Thy Crucified Son, grant we beseech Thee, that imitating his example, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day: October 16
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, foster father of Christ, Pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Pray for us.
Saint Gerard Majella, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, enriched with extraordinary graces from early youth, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, perfect model of a faithful servant, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, bright pattern of the working classes, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, great lover of prayer and work, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, seraph of love toward the Blessed Sacrament, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, living image of the crucified Saviour, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, zealous client of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, bright mirror of innocence and penance, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, admirable model of heroic obedience, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, silent victim of ignominious calumny, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, great before God by thy deep humility, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, truly wise by thy childlike simplicity, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, supernaturally enlightened in divine mysteries, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, solely desirous of pleasing God, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, zealous promoter of the conversion of sinners, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, wise counselor in the choice of vocation, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, enlightened guide in the direction of souls, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, loving friend of the poor and afflicted, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, safe refuge in sickness and sorrow, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, wonderful protector of unbaptized children, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, compassionate intercessor in every necessity, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, honor and glory of the Redemptorist Order, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us!
V. Pray for us, Saint Gerard! R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who wast pleased to draw to Thyself the blessed Gerard from his youth, and to render him conformable to the image of Thy crucified Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that following his example we may be transformed into the selfsame image. Through the same Christ, Our Lord. R. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944
Litany of Saint Gerard Majella
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, Pray for us.
Mother of Perpetual Help, Pray for us.
Saint Joseph, foster father of Christ, Pray for us.
St. Alphonsus, founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Pray for us.
Saint Gerard Majella, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, enriched with extraordinary graces from early youth, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, perfect model of a faithful servant, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, bright pattern of the working classes, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, great lover of prayer and work, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, seraph of love toward the Blessed Sacrament, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, living image of the crucified Saviour, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, zealous client of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, bright mirror of innocence and penance, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, admirable model of heroic obedience, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, silent victim of ignominious calumny, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, great before God by thy deep humility, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, truly wise by thy childlike simplicity, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, supernaturally enlightened in divine mysteries, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, solely desirous of pleasing God, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, zealous promoter of the conversion of sinners, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, wise counselor in the choice of vocation, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, enlightened guide in the direction of souls, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, loving friend of the poor and afflicted, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, safe refuge in sickness and sorrow, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, wonderful protector of unbaptized children, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, compassionate intercessor in every necessity, Pray for us.
St. Gerard, honor and glory of the Redemptorist Order, Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Spare us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: Have mercy on us!
V. Pray for us, Saint Gerard! R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, Who wast pleased to draw to Thyself the blessed Gerard from his youth, and to render him conformable to the image of Thy crucified Son: grant, we beseech Thee, that following his example we may be transformed into the selfsame image. Through the same Christ, Our Lord. R. Amen.
Prayer Source: Kyrie Eleison — Two Hundred Litanies by Benjamin Francis Musser O.F.M., The Magnificat Press, 1944
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