Novena
Novena to Saint Gerard Majella
Nine-day novena to Saint Gerard Majella · begins 7 October, ending on the eve of his memorial, 16 October
Nine days of prayer to the Redemptorist lay brother whom the Church honours as patron of expectant mothers and of those longing for children, kept before his memorial on 16 October. The received prayer thanks the Blessed Trinity for the gifts given him and asks him to take one urgent affair in hand.
Background
Gerard Majella (1726-1755) was a tailor's son from Muro Lucano who was received as a lay brother by the Redemptorists and died at twenty-nine. Falsely accused of grave sin, he answered by silence until the accuser retracted; his intercession has long been sought for mothers in childbirth and for couples hoping for a child. He was canonised by St. Pius X in 1904. This is a private devotion. The received form repeats one prayer on each of the nine days, with a second prayer for the gift of children; the day-by-day subjects below are editorial and the prayer is unaltered.
Days
Intention
the safety of mothers and children, and confidence in God's providence over a family's future
Usually begun
7 October, ending on the eve of his memorial, 16 October
Structure
nine_days
Duration
9 days
Content subtype
full_novena