Patronage of Saint Gerard
Patron Saint of Pregnant Women
Saint Gerard has not officially been named the patron saint of expectant mothers but he has certainly helped many in their hour of need. From those who are having trouble conceiving and have been written off by medical science to first time mothers who fear the trials ahead. Saint Gerard has frequently be called on and made his grace felt for mothers undergoing difficult and life threatening labors. One mother in Cleveland, Ohio has raised her own family with the aid of Saint Gerard. Now she keeps an emergency stash of Novena books and St Gerard medals.
Whenever word reaches her of a woman who’s expecting she rushes over with a book and a St. Gerard medal. She says over the years that she has handed them out not a single child has been lost.
Throughout his life Saint Gerard was known for his love of children - from playing with the infant Jesus as a child to helping children when he was older, always making time for them and teaching them with grace, love and patience.
Another factor that marked his life was his constant and unwavering trust in the will of God so it would be very apt to pray to him when you need that little voice to say ‘Just hold firm, God will provide when you need him most.’
This defiantly applies to those who like Saint Gerard have been falsely accused. Saint Gerard knew that when the slander was made that his behavior had been inappropriate and unchaste that if he remained silent and suffered the accusations with grace then God and time would show his innocence.
While it would be wonderful to think that we have an ideal justice system, it would be naïve to assume that people no longer make false accusations for petty and malicious purposes or simple human error.
For those suffering that trial, Saint Gerard will provide the strength to wait for their innocence to be proven.
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