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SAINT GERARD MAJELLA

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Discover the life of Saint Gerard Majella (1726–1755).
Image of Saint Gerard Majella


By Edward Matulanya 

Discover the life of Saint Gerard Majella (1726–1755).

Saint Gerard Majella was born on April 6, 1726, in Muro Lucano, Italy. Coming from a poor family, he worked as a tailor to support his widowed mother. Drawn to religious life, Gerard attempted to join the Capuchin friars but was rejected due to poor health. Eventually, he was admitted to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists) as a lay brother. There he served humbly as sacristan, gardener, cook, and tailor (Catholic News Agency, n.d.).

Gerard became widely known for his holiness, miraculous works, and profound devotion to God. Numerous miracles are attributed to him, particularly in connection with mothers and childbirth. One famous story recounts how a young woman safely delivered her child after recalling that Gerard had once given her his handkerchief, instructing her to keep it for a time of need (Anastpaul, 2018).

He died of tuberculosis on October 16, 1755, in Caposele, Italy. He was canonized by Pope Pius X on December 11, 1904 (Catholic Readings, n.d.). Gerard is the patron saint of mothers, unborn children, childbirth, lay brothers, and those falsely accused (CSSR News, 2023).

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647–1690)

Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was born on July 22, 1647, in Burgundy, France. After enduring childhood illness and the death of her father, she entered the Visitation Order at Paray-le-Monial. She is remembered for her mystical visions of Jesus Christ, who revealed to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart. This devotion included practices such as the Holy Hour and the frequent reception of the Eucharist (Anastpaul, 2017).

Although she died on October 17, 1690, her feast day is observed on October 16 in the Roman Catholic Church. She was canonized on May 13, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV. She is regarded as a patron of devotees of the Sacred Heart, those who suffer from polio, and orphans (Catholic Readings, n.d.).

Saint Hedwig of Silesia (1174–1243)

Born in Bavaria around 1174, Saint Hedwig married Duke Henry I of Silesia and together they raised several children. Known for her piety and charity, she founded hospitals and convents and dedicated her life to serving the poor. After her husband’s death, Hedwig retired to the Cistercian convent she had established at Trebnitz, though she did not take vows as a nun (Association of Catholic Priests, n.d.).

She died on October 15, 1243, but her feast is celebrated on October 16. Saint Hedwig is remembered for her humility, peacemaking, and tireless charitable works.

Other Saints on October 16

Saint Longinus: Traditionally identified as the Roman centurion who pierced Jesus’ side with a lance (Wikipedia, n.d.-a).

Saint Balderic of Montfaucon: A seventh-century abbot in Lorraine, France (Wikipedia, n.d.-b).

Saint Mummolin of Noyon: A monk, abbot, and later bishop in Noyon-Tournai during the seventh century (Wikipedia, n.d.-c).

References

Anastpaul. (2017, October 16). Saint of the day – 16 October – St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690) V.H.M. Retrieved from https://anastpaul.com/2017/10/16/saint-of-the-day-16-october-st-margaret-mary-alacoque-1647-1690-v-h-m/

Anastpaul. (2018, October 16). Saint of the day – 16 October – St Gerard Majella C.Ss.R. (1726-1755). Retrieved from https://anastpaul.com/2018/10/16/saint-of-the-day-16-october-st-gerard-majella-c-ss-r-1726-1755/

Association of Catholic Priests. (n.d.). Saints of the month – October. Retrieved from https://associationofcatholicpriests.ie/saints-of-the-month-oct/

Catholic News Agency. (n.d.). St. Gerard Majella. Retrieved from https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-gerard-majella-21

Catholic Readings. (n.d.). Saint Gerard Majella. Retrieved from https://catholicreadings.org/saint-gerard-majella/

Catholic Readings. (n.d.). Saint of the Day – October 16: St Margaret Mary Alacoque. Retrieved from https://catholicreadings.org/saint-of-the-day-october-16-st-margaret-mary-alacoque

CSSR News. (2023, October 16). Feast of St. Gerard Majella. Retrieved from https://www.cssr.news/2023/10/october-16-feast-of-st-gerard-majella-2/

Wikipedia. (n.d.-a). Longinus. In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longinus

Wikipedia. (n.d.-b). Balderic of Montfaucon. In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balderic_of_Montfaucon

Wikipedia. (n.d.-c). Mummolin of Noyon. In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 8, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummolin_of_Noyon

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