Saturday Saint Stories: Gerard Magella
Gerard, born in Italy in 1726, the youngest of five children. He served with the Redemptorists as a sacristan, tailor, gardener and porter and also counseled the local communities of religious women. He was known to experience levitation and bilocation.
Toward the end of his life, as St. Gerard was leaving the home of his friends, the Pirofalo family, one of the daughters called after him because he had forgotten his handkerchief. In a moment of prophetic insight Gerard said: “Keep it. It will be useful to you some day.” The handkerchief was treasured as a precious souvenir of Gerard.
Years later, after Gerard’s death, the young woman to whom he had given it was in danger of death during childbirth. She remembered the words of Gerard, and called for the handkerchief. Almost immediately the danger passed and she delivered a healthy child.
“Who, except God, can give peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”
Gerard’s health had been poor his entire life. He had been refused entry into the capuchins when he was younger and eventually died at age 29 of tuberculosis. His short life, however, was filled with many reports of miraculous occurrences: restoring a boy's life after he fell from a high cliff; blessing a poor farmer's crops, ridding it of mice; blessing a poor family's supply of wheat, causing it to last until the next harvest; and he multiplied bread for the poor on several occasions.
Prayer for the intercession of Gerard
for Mothers & Children
O good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor
before God & wonder worker of our day,
confidently I call upon you and seek your aid.
You, like our savior, loved children.
Help all mothers, those in childbirth,
and those raising children for heaven
and for our Church family,
that by joining together we may best support mothers and children
so all know they are cherished and love.
Additional Resources: