St. Gerard, known for his unwavering faith and miraculous intercessions, inspires countless believers around the world with his enduring legacy of love and compassion.
About St. Gerard
St. Gerard was born the son of a tailor on April 6, 1726. He grew up about fifty miles south of Naples in Muro Lucano, Italy in a large, poor family. When St. Gerard was only 12, his father Dominic Majella entered eternal rest. Upon the death of his father, his mother, beholden to poverty, sent St. Gerard away to live with his uncle. St. Gerard thereafter became an apprentice to a tailor.
This tailor treated him well; however, the foreman treated him poorly. After serving as a sewing apprentice for a couple years, he instead became a servant in the household of the bishop of Lacedonia, who was a cantankerous master. Upon the death of the bishop in 1745, he returned home. At the age of 21, he became a journeyman. He split his earnings for his mother and the poor, and made offerings for the holy souls in purgatory. Afterwards, he opened his own tailor shop.
At a young age, St. Gerard tried to join the local Capuchins, but he was turned down twice due to his youth and poor health. He also tried to become a hermit, but that too was not God’s will for him. He then entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1749 and professed of perpetual vows under the Redemptorist’s founder, Saint Alphonsus Liguori, in 1751.
He served as tailor and infirmarian and became known for his extraordinary supernatural gifts of bilocation, prophecy, ecstasies, visions, and infused knowledge. Though not ordained to the holy order of priest, his spiritual direction and advice were sought by many among the clergy and communities of nuns, to which he also gave conferences. He was most successful in converting sinners, and was widely known for his sanctity and charity.
In 1754, he was calumniated and accused of lechery by a woman named Neria Caggiano. Caggiano later admitted her charge was a lie. Even before she admitted to her falsehood, St. Gerard did not deny her charges. As these charges were still up in the air, his superiors became suspicious, so they put him under surveillance and excluded him from communion for months until the girl admitted that she had lied. When asked by Saint Alphonsus why he had kept silent in such circumstances, St. Gerard replied that he thought such patience was required in the face of unjust accusations. As St. Gerard bore this calumny with such humility and patience, Saint Alphonsus said, “Brother Gerard is a saint.”
St. Gerard was sent to Naples soon after, but when the house was inundated by visitors wanting to see him, he was sent to Caposele a few months later. He served as the porter there and ministered to the poor of the town. St. Gerard spent the last few months of his life raising funds for new buildings at Caposele.
Just prior to his death, St. Gerard visited his friends, the Pirofalo family. One of the daughters ran and called after him as he left the home, as he dropped his handkerchief. Speaking through the gift of prophecy, he replied, “Keep it. It will be useful to you someday.” Years down the road, when this young women was in danger of childbirth, she recalled these words of St. Gerard, and requested the handkerchief. The handkerchief was applied to her, thus a miracle: her pain immediately ceased and she gave birth to a healthy child.
St. Gerard died of tuberculosis on October 16, 1755 at the age of 29 in Caposele. He was beatified by Pope Leo XIII on January 29, 1893, and was canonized on December 11, 1904 by Pope Saint Pius X. He is the patron saint of mothers, motherhood, expectant mothers, childbirth, children, pregnant women, unborn children, the pro-life movement, the falsely accused, good confessions, and lay brothers.
Why Pray the St. Gerard Novena?
Praying the St. Gerard Novena is often sought for several reasons. First and foremost, St. Gerard is the patron saint of expectant mothers, making this novena particularly meaningful for those hoping to conceive or seeking a safe pregnancy. Many find comfort in his example of faith and dedication, which can strengthen their own spiritual journeys during challenging times.
Numerous testimonies highlight the powerful intercessions attributed to St. Gerard, encouraging the faithful to turn to him in prayer for urgent needs. Additionally, praying the novena fosters a sense of community among those sharing similar intentions, creating bonds of support and shared hope. Overall, the St. Gerard Novena provides an opportunity for personal reflection and growth in faith, encouraging a deeper connection with God through prayer.
St. Gerard Novena Prayers
Novena to St. Gerard is a nine-day prayer experience designed to deepen your faith, strengthen your relationship with God, and seek the powerful intercession of St. Gerard.
You can pray the St. Gerard Novena for any intention!
St. Gerard Novena Day 1
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 2
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 3
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 4
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 5
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 6
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 7
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 8
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
St. Gerard Novena Day 9
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, en kindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.
(Mention your request here…)
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
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…