| Saint Gerard —
Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers "St.
Gerard was born at Muro, Italy, in 1726 and joined the Redemptorists at the age
of 23, becoming a professed lay brother in 1752. He served as sacristan, gardener,
porter, infirmarian, and tailor. However,
because of his great piety, extraordinary wisdom, and his gift of reading consciences,
he was permitted to counsel communities of religious women. This humble servant
of God was reputed to have the abilities of levitation and bi-location associated
with certain mystics. His charity, obedience, and selfless service as well as
his ceaseless mortification for Christ, made him the perfect model of lay brothers.
St. Gerard was afflicted with tuberculosis
and died in 1755 at the age of twenty-nine. His last will consisted of the following
small note on the door of his cell: Here the will of God is done, as God wills,
and as long as God wills." |
12mm
diameter 
