Saint Gerard

My grandmother first told me about Saint Gerard a few months after Daniel died.  I went to her house to visit over the summer.  We talked about Daniel and about the baby that she miscarried almost 60 years ago.  She told me how she prayed a St. Gerard prayer every day while she was pregnant with my dad.  Being raised Roman Catholic, I knew there was a Patron Saint for just about everything, but had never heard of St. Gerard before.  I have experienced the power of intercessory prayers in the past….mainly when I lost something important and prayed for St. Anthony to help me find it.  I went home and searched the internet to learn more about St. Gerard.  I learned that a woman accused him of fathering her child.  He truly "turned the other cheek" and did not fight her accusations even though they were false.  The woman later repented.  I just found this article today….it was written on his feast day this year (October 16th) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christina-capecchi/st-gerard-majella-pregnant-women-patron-saint_b_1962214.html
I was not yet pregnant again at the time, but I decided to order some prayer cards, a Novena prayer booklet, and I was surprised to find a St. Gerard Motherhood kit that contained prayers, medals, and a small statue.  http://www.catholicgiftstores.com/st-gerard-intercessory-prayer-kit-p-sgemk02.html


When my things arrived, I unexpectedly found a prayer for Motherhood.  I thought the prayers were just for those who were already expecting.  We began praying this beautiful prayer and very soon after conceived this little baby I now carry.

Prayer to St. Gerard for Motherhood

O glorious Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God, and wonder worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help.  You who always fulfilled God's will on earth, help me to do God's holy will.  Intercede with the Giver of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, that I may conceive and raise children who will please God in this life, and be heirs to the kingdom of heaven.  Amen.

Ever since we found out we are expecting again, we have prayed this prayer every night:

Prayer to St. Gerard for a Safe Delivery 

O Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of God: enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.  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 lustral waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.