Saint Gerard Majella (April 6, 1726 – October 16, 1755) is a Roman Catholic saint. He is the saint whose intercession is requested for children (and unborn children in particular), childbirth, mothers (and expectant mothers in particular), motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy.
Majella was born in Muro Lucano, Basilicata. He was the son of a tailor who died when Gerard was twelve, leaving the family in poverty.
His mother then sent him to her brother so that he could teach Gerard
how to sew and help the business. During this time, he was abused by a
man whom his uncle sent to help him. He kept silent, but soon his uncle
found out and the man who taught him resigned from the job. He loved to
be like Jesus Crucified and tried at all costs to suffer. He tried to
join the Capuchin order, but his health prevented it. He joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1749.[2] When falsely accused by a pregnant
woman of being the father of her child, he retreated to silence. She
later recanted and cleared him, and thus began his association as patron
of all aspects of pregnancy. He was reputed to have bilocation and read consciences. His last will consisted of a small note on the door of his cell saying, "Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills." He died on October 16, 1755 in Caposele, Campania, of tuberculosis, aged 29.[1]
