McNichols Icons: St. Gerard Majella

Prayer to St. Gerard for Expectant Mothers
Great St. Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of our meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of the Mother of God, enkindle in my heart one spark of that heavenly of charity which glowed in yours and made you a seraph of love.
Glorious St. Gerard, because, like your Divine Master, you bore without murmur or complaint the calumnies of wicked men when falsely accused of crime, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me in the dangers of motherhood, and shield the child I now bear, that it may be brought safely to the light of day and receive the sacrament of baptism.

Prayer to St. Gerard for Women Hoping for Pregnancy
Good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before the throne of God, wonder-worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your aid. You know that our marriage has not yet been blessed with a child and how much my husband and I desire this gift. Please present our fervent pleas to the Creator of life from whom all parent- hood proceeds and beseech Him to bless us with a child from whom we may raise as His child and heir of heaven. Amen.

Prayer to St. Gerard for Motherhood or Fatherhood
O good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before God and wonder- worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your aid. You who on earth always fulfilled God’s design, help me to do the Holy Will of God.
Beseech the Master of Life, from whom all maternity/paternity flows to render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children to God in this life and heirs to the Kingdom of His glory in the world to come. Amen.

Once a pregnant woman was having difficulty giving birth; St. Gerard sent a handkerchief which her attendants placed on her abdomen and the baby was born. Another instance, St. Gerard was falsely accused of fathering a child. He retreated into silence; she later recanted and cleared him, thus began his association as patron of all aspects of pregnancy. His devotion was to the falsely accused and humiliated Christ. www.TaosTraditions.com

c 2004 Fr. Wm Hart McNichols