St Gerard Majella

Confessor (1726 -1755)

Saint of the day October 30

Extremely devout, Gerard, the son of poor parents in southern Italy, was blessed with a gift of profound contemplation and an ardent love of the Blessed Sacrament. “Suffer only for God, and your very sufferings will bring you heaven on earth!” Admitted by the Redemptorists on probation as a lay brother at 23, Gerard, deeply rooted in humility and purity, proved a model of perfect obedience. To the customary three vows he added one to do always that which appeared to be the most perfect  “Everything that is done for God becomes a prayer!”

God granted him remarkable spiritual gifts: ecstasies, levitations, bi-locations, invisibility, prophecy, infused knowledge, discernment of spirits, and even power over the forces of nature and Satan himself. His obedience to his superiors was such that he knew and carried out their wishes even if unspoken or given at a great distance. He subjected his body to severe penances and rigorous fasts. Every spare moment was spent in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and at times, when passing the tabernacle, he had to do himself violence: “O Lord, let me go, I beseech thee! There is work that I must do!” When he accompanied the Fathers on their missions, he often converted more hardened sinners by his fervent prayers and winning persuasiveness than the older priests by their sermons.

Born on 6 April 1726 at Muzo Lucanzo, Gerard died on 16 October 1755 at Caposele, aged barely 29. Characteristic are the words he wrote on the door of his cell: “Here is done what God wills, as God wills, and for as long as God wills!”