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FacebookGerard Majella was born in 1726 in the southern Italian town of Muro near Naples. As he grew up, Gerard spent a lot of time in prayer and he developed a great love for God. He became known for his kindness to people and led a frugal life, so that he could share his tailor’s earnings with the poor. When he was 23 he left home to become a Redemptorist. He was particularly faithful to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, meditation on the Passion of Jesus, and devotion to our Blessed Mother. His work, which varied from cleaning and cooking to giving spiritual advice, was an inspiration to all. He was well known too for his care of the poor and distressed.
At the age of 29, he got tuberculosis and died on October 16th 1755. He was declared a saint by Pope Pius X in 1904.
Today, St Gerard has won the love and devotion of many for the numerous miracles attributed to his intercession. He is well known for his protection of expectant mothers and is recognised as patron of mothers and babies as well as those wishing to make a good confession. He is affectionately known as “the mothers’ saint.”
Novena
Every Wednesday we celebrate the Perpetual Novena in honour of St Gerard during Mass at 9:30am and 7:30pm, followed by a blessing with his relic.
Every year we celebrate the Solemn Novena in honour of St Gerard from 8th to 16th October. Details are posted on the main page of our website nearer the time.
You can send us your petitions and thanksgivings at any time and we will include them in our prayers.
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St Gerard’s Family League
St Gerard’s help in various circumstances in life has made him beloved of all sorts of people. He was a Redemptorist brother, and during his lifetime and after his death in 1755, God was pleased to work miracles through his intercession.
The St Gerard Family League is an association of Christians united in prayer for their own and other families, to preserve Christian values in their home and family life. It is an extension of the Redemptorist family and its apostolate.
Hundreds of thousands have joined the St Gerard Family League since it was established in Ireland in 1950. Would you like to?
If you wish to obtain further information or membership please click here to contact us or write to The League Director at St Joseph’s Monastery, St Alphonsus Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, A91 F3FC. We ask for an offering of €5.00 to cover materials and postage. Please make payments payable to “Redemptorists”.
Novena Prayer to St Gerard Majella
Almighty God,
from his boyhood years
you blessed St Gerard with generosity of soul,
and led him to do your will in heroic ways.
By your grace he lived his brief life
in intense love for you
and for those in need.
Hear his prayers now for us
and for all poor souls in trouble.
St Gerard, friend of sinners,
friend of the poor,
friend of mothers and children,
it is our joy and consolation to come to your novena
to remember the goodness of your life,
your burning sense of God,
your tender love for Our Lord and his mother, Mary,
your kindness and care for everyone in need.
Pray for us now in our time of need.
Pray for us in our sickness.
Pray for us in our confusion and despair.
Pray for us in our struggle with life and its mysteries.
Remember especially those who long for children
and mothers about to give birth.
Remember those who have wandered from the practice of the faith
and need the grace of reconciliation.
Remember all of us poor sinners in our particular needs
St. Gerard, dear friend of God, pray that our sense of God will grow strong.
Pray that Jesus our Lord will be a saving presence in our lives.
Pray that the faithfulness and the beauty of faith will take possession of us and make us fully alive.
(pause and make your own intention).
