Primary three and four have been learning about the life and times of Saint Gerard Majella. Mrs O'Hare and the pupils made the novena from St. Joseph's Redemptorists, Dundalk, by watching the mass online, singing the songs, saying the prayers and writing petitions. There is nothing more heart warming than children's own written petitions, showing their innocence and honesty. Some of the children went to the novena with their parents and grandparents. Mrs Smith along with other teachers, classroom assistants and staff also attended the novena. We all find its a nice novena with lots of messages to take away from it.
Gerard Majella was born in 1726 in the southern Italian town of Muro near Naples. As he grew up, Gerard spent a lot of time in prayer and he developed a great love for God. He became known for his kindness to people and led a frugal life, so that he could share his tailor’s earnings with the poor. When he was 23 he left home to become a Redemptorist. He was particularly faithful to prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, meditation on the Passion of Jesus, and devotion to our Blessed Mother. His work, which varied from cleaning and cooking to giving spiritual advice, was an inspiration to all. He was well known too for his care of the poor and distressed.
At the age of 29, he got tuberculosis and died on October 16th 1755. He was declared a saint by Pope Pius X in 1904.
Today, St Gerard has won the love and devotion of many for the numerous miracles attributed to his intercession. He is well known for his protection of expectant mothers and is recognised as patron of mothers and babies as well as those wishing to make a good confession. He is affectionately known as “the mothers’ saint.”
