St. Gerard Majella, who died in 1755, is the patron saint of pregnant mothers and childbirth. He was an Italian Redemptorist Brother. One day he dropped his handkerchief and a young girl picked it up for him, but he told her to keep it because she “may need it someday.” When she had a difficult pregnancy and labor, she asked for the handkerchief and her pain went away and the birth proceeded normally. St. Gerard’s Feast Day is October 16.
St. Gerard,
You worshiped Jesus as the Lord of Life.
I ask you today to pray
For my special intention.
Lift up to Jesus
All those who seek to conceive a child,
All those having difficult pregnancies,
All who have suffered the loss of a child,
And all who lovingly lift up their children to God.
Pray that all of us,
By caring for mothers, fathers, and children
born and unborn
May build a Culture of Life,
In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Gerard Majella, pray for us!
Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life