Gerard Majella

Saint Gerard Majella was born on April 6, 1726, in Muro Lucano, Italy, the youngest of five children. Frail from birth and baptized the day he was born, he grew up in poverty after his tailor father died when Gerard was twelve. Trained as a seamster and later serving the local bishop, he longed for religious life, but poor health kept him from the Capuchins. In 1749 he was accepted as a lay brother among the Redemptorists, a young missionary congregation devoted to preaching the Gospel to the poor. Gerard embraced humble work—gardener, sacristan, cook, carpenter, porter—and became beloved among ordinary people for his charity and prayer. He also endured a painful trial when he was falsely accused of fathering a child; he kept silence to protect others and bore temporary discipline until his innocence was later acknowledged. Remembered for miracles and for tender help to mothers and expectant families, he is also honored as patron of Basilicata and places including Calvi, Castrocucco, Materdomini, and his hometown, Muro Lucano. He died of tuberculosis in Materdomini on October 16, 1755. His feast day is October 16.