St Gerard Majella
Feast day: October 16Patron of expectant mothers, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers
Born: 1726
Death: 1755
Born in Muro, Italy to poverty stricken family
Gerard was the youngest from a large family and struggled through his childhood. His father died when he was 12 years old, and his mother sent him to an uncle to learn to be a tailor. He would then be sent to a local bishop to be his servant. Any wages he earned were split between his mother and the poor. He desired to enter the local monastery; however, his health was so poor they refused his entrance.
Gerard was allowed to join the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer at the age of 23. He became a lay brother and took on several menial jobs. However, because of his piety he was soon allowed to counsel communities of religious women. He never refused to assist in anyone who called upon him for help.
Throughout his life Gerard was shown to be truly devoted to God. This devotion had outward signs, including levitation, bi-location and the ability to read souls. Several miracles are also attributed to his intercession. Some of these miracles include: restoring a boy's life after he fell from a high cliff; blessing a poor farmer's crops, ridding it of mice; blessing a poor family's supply of wheat, causing it to last until the next harvest; and he multiplied bread for the poor on several occasions.
The one intercession to Gerard that continues into the present day is that of pregnant women in labor. The story told of his intercession is:
"Shortly before his death, Majella encountered a young girl. He had dropped his handkerchief and she set out to return it, only to be told to keep it. Majella told her she "may need it someday." Years after Majella's passing, the young girl became married and with child. She unexpectedly went into labor and was on the verge of losing her baby. She called for Majella's handkerchief to be applied to her. Almost immediately, her pain abated and she proceeded to give birth to a healthy child."
Gerard died of tuberculosis on October 16, 1755 at the age of 29, living in the religious life for six years.
"Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support?"
St Gerard, pray for us!
St. Hedwig of SilesiaFeast day: October 16
Patron: brides; duchesses; death of children; marital problems; victims of jealousy; widows
Birth: 1174
Death: 1243
Born to noble family in Andechs, Bavaria, Germany
Being a member of a noble family might sound like an easy life; however, there were burdens that came with it for Hedwig. For instance, she was betrothed when she was only a year old. Then she was married at the age of twelve to Duke Henry of Silesia, the head of the Polish Royal family.!
Thankfully, she had a happy marriage and became the mother of seven children. Henry and Hedwig dedicated their lives to God's work. They founded a Cistercain convent at Trebnitz, as well as hospitals and monasteries.
She lived a life of poverty and humility, despite her prominent position. Every day, even in winter, she would walk barefooted, so her feet were in bad shape. A story tells us her husband sent her a pair of shoes, insisting that she not be without them — so she kept them under her arm.
When Henry died, Hedwig would take vows and live at the convent they had established. She died at this same convent in 1243 after outliving all but one of her children (Gertrude). The most dreadful of these deaths was watching her son (Henry II) who had taken over the role of Duke murdered before assistance could arrive.
St. Hedwig, pray for us!
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