St. Gerard Majella - Patron of Mothers - October 16th
Gerard was born in a little Italian town. Even as a boy, he loved to visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. “He would stop in church,” said his mother, “and then forget to come home for dinner.” When Gerard’s father died, the boy was taken out of school and sent to learn to be a tailor. His master was good to him, but the helper in the shop treated him roughly. Later Gerard started out in business for himself. One third of the money he earned he gave to his mother. Another third he gave away to poor people, and the rest he gave as offerings to have Masses said for the poor souls in Purgatory.
St. Gerard had once tried to enter the Capuchin Order, but they thought he looked too weak. Now he asked the Redemptorists to accept him as a brother. They did, but not too eagerly at all. At first they thought he would be useless, but soon they found him to be very humble and eager to do what he was told. While he was a novice, one priest heard him say, as he knelt in front of the altar: “Lord, let me go, I beg You. I have work that I must do!”
God gave St. Gerard marvelous and extraordinary gifts. He could read minds, appear to be in two places at once, cure people, tell what was going on someplace far away, and make animals and nature obey him. Yet Gerard had his sufferings, too. Once, a wicked woman accused the holy brother of committing a mortal sin, and since he did not excuse himself, he was punished by his Superior. He was sent away from everyone else and forbidden to receive Holy Communion. But all the Saint said was: “There is God in Heaven and He will provide.” Later, the evil woman repented and freely confessed that she had lied. Then everyone knew that Gerard was innocent and had said nothing because of his deep humility.
God alone sees my thoughts, word and deeds. I will never worry about what the others say about me. I will remember instead that God will be my Judge one day, and He will reward me if I was good, or punish me if I was bad.
Link to an audio story of St. Gerard Majella by Regina Martyrum Productions:
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