Saint Gerard Majella
Stored in Cargo: Saint Gerard Majella
| Saint Gerard Majella | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 16 |
| Profession | Tailor |
| Rel. Affiliation | Redemptorists |
| Patronage | mothers; childbirth; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; lay brothers; good confessions; Diocese of Anglona-Tursi; Muro Lucano, Italy |
| Attributes | arrow piercing heart; lily; crucifix; rosary; scroll reading "Ave Maria" |
| Birthplace | Muro Lucano, Basilicata, Italy |
| Death Place | Caposele, Campania, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Tuberculosis |
| Primary Shrine | Santuario di Materdomini, Serino, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | III class |
Saint Gerard Majella (Italian: San Gerardo Maiella; 1726–1755), also known as Gerard Majella, C.Ss.R. (Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris), was an Italian Redemptorist lay brother noted for his reported miracles, prophecies, and profound humility. According to hagiographic accounts, he was born in Muro Lucano and worked as a tailor before joining the Redemptorists in Scala at age 23.[1] He served as a tailor, sacristan, and doorkeeper for the congregation, gaining renown for extraordinary graces attributed to him, including bilocation and healings, particularly related to mothers and infants.
Majella died young of tuberculosis in Caposele at age 29. Hagiographic tradition holds that on his deathbed, he predicted the exact hour of his passing and left behind a note confessing his faults, discovered after his death.[2] Beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1893 and canonized by Pope Pius X in 1904, he is invoked as patron of expectant mothers due to numerous reported intercessions in difficult pregnancies, as documented in Church records.[3] His veneration extends through novenas and shrines worldwide.
Biography
Birth
Gerard Majella was born on April 6, 1726, in Muro Lucano, Basilicata, then part of the Kingdom of Naples, to a poor but devout family. According to historical records, he was the sixth of eight children born to Domenico Majella, a tailor, and his wife Benedetta.[4] He was baptized the same day in the local Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, as confirmed by parish registers.
Hagiographic tradition holds that from infancy, Majella showed signs of piety, such as refusing to nurse on Wednesdays in honor of the Passion of Christ, a practice his mother later attributed to divine grace.[5] This cannot be confirmed through primary historical sources but is widely reported in Redemptorist chronicles. His early exposure to the faith occurred amid family hardships, including his father's death when Gerard was 12.
Early Life
Following his father's death in 1738, Majella apprenticed as a tailor under his uncle, continuing the family trade in Muro Lucano. Historical accounts describe him living ascetically, sharing his meager earnings with the poor and practicing severe penances, such as sleeping on the floor.[6] He attempted to join the Capuchins at age 14 but was rejected due to poor health.
By his late teens, Majella sought a religious vocation, working briefly as a servant to a bishop in Ariano Irpino before returning home. Evidence from biographies indicates he led a life of prayer and charity, often visiting the sick despite his frail constitution. Hagiographic accounts emphasize his reputation for holiness in Muro Lucano, where locals sought his prayers.
Occupation
Majella worked primarily as a tailor in Muro Lucano from age 12 until 1749, mending clothes for the poor free of charge. According to contemporary testimonies collected during his cause, he used his skills to support his mother and siblings after his father's death, often going without food himself.[5] This profession allowed him flexibility for ministry, as he distributed alms and catechized children.
In 1749, at age 23, he opened a small tailoring shop but closed it after discerning a call to religious life. Hagiographic tradition reports miraculous events during this period, such as his habit of giving away cloth intended for customers, compensated by unexplained replenishments. These stories, while unverified historically, are cited in Redemptorist hagiographies.
Vocation
On June 9, 1749, Majella entered the Redemptorist novitiate at the Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo in Scala, Campania, after begging to join despite initial refusals due to his health.[7] He professed vows on July 2, 1750, as a lay brother, serving as tailor, sacristan, and porter. Assigned to missions across southern Italy, he was known for ecstatic states during Mass and reported gifts of prophecy and bilocation.
Majella's ministry focused on the poor and sick, with accounts of healings attributed to him. In 1754, falsely accused by a woman he aided, he embraced silence, echoing Christ's Passion; the accuser later recanted on her deathbed, per tradition.[8] Superiors sent him to Materdomini for rest, where further graces were reported.
Death
In April 1755, Majella fell gravely ill with tuberculosis while on mission in Caposele. Transferred to the Redemptorist house there, his condition worsened despite medical care. Hagiographic accounts state he predicted his death to the superior, saying, "Here, and at this hour, I shall die next year," which occurred precisely on October 16, 1755.[5]
Majella met his end peacefully in old age? No, at age 29, surrounded by brothers, after receiving the sacraments. His last words reportedly were, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul." His body was buried in Caposele, later translated; his heart remains incorrupt at Materdomini, as verified by examinations.[9]
Significant events
- Professed religious vows as a Redemptorist lay brother on July 2, 1750.
- Reported bilocation to save a child from drowning in Iliceto, as testified in cause proceedings.
- Endured false accusation in 1754, forgiving his accuser publicly.
- Predicted the hour of his death on October 16, 1755.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Muro Lucano, Basilicata, Italy
Death location: Caposele, Campania, Italy
Notable location: Entered Redemptorist novitiate and professed vows (Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo, Scala, SA 84010, Italy)
Notable location: Site of reported mystical experiences and primary shrine (Santuario di Materdomini, Via San Gerardo, 83028 Serino AV, Italy)
Notable location: Local parish church associated with early life and baptism (Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, Muro Lucano, PZ 85054, Italy)
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Media
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Santuario di Materdomini
- Primary shrine designated by the Diocese of Avellino, housing the incorrupt heart of Saint Gerard Majella, a focal point for pilgrimages seeking his intercession for mothers and childbirth per Canon 1230.
- Founded in the 18th century; annual feast October 16 with indulgences; features relics and his room.
- Facts: Site of reported bilocation and healings during his lifetime.[10]
Santuario di San Gerardo Maiella, Muro Lucano
- Erected by the Diocese of Anglona-Tursi as a pilgrimage center for devotion to the saint, birthplace native.
- Built 1955; hosts octave celebrations; notable for baptismal font relic.
- Facts: Annual pilgrimage draws thousands for family blessings.[11]
Santuario di Caposele
- Designated shrine in Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro, site of Majella's death and burial.
- 18th-century Redemptorist foundation; feast with processions.
- Facts: Deathbed prophecy fulfilled here.[12]
National Shrine of Saint Gerard Majella, Newark
- Bishop-designated pilgrimage site in Archdiocese of Newark for Italian-American devotion.
- Established 1930s at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; novenas for pregnancies.
- Facts: Major U.S. center for intercession in childbirth.[13]
Santuario San Gerardo, Oliveto Citra
- Shrine in Diocese of Teggiano-Policastro, linked to missions.
- Features icon and ex-voto for healings.
- Facts: Site of reported prophecy fulfillment.[14]
Shrine of Saint Gerard Majella, Toronto
- Designated by Archdiocese of Toronto for immigrant devotion.
- Hosts monthly Masses; pilgrimage for families.
- Facts: Veneration grew post-canonization.[15]
Santuario San Gerardo, Auletta
- Local bishop-approved shrine in Salerno province.
- Annual feast with relics exposition.
- Facts: Tied to regional missions.[16]
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Saint Gerard Majella as a Servant of God began in 1888, with the initial investigation conducted in the Diocese of Anglona-Tursi, where he was born. Diocesan inquiries gathered testimonies on his virtues from contemporaries' descendants and Redemptorist archives.
The cause advanced to Rome, with the apostolic process concluding by 1891.
Venerable
Declared Venerable by Pope Leo XIII on December 19, 1891, for his life of heroic virtue.
The Congregation for Rites affirmed heroic practice of theological and cardinal virtues based on writings and witnesses.
Beatification
Beatified on January 29, 1893, by Pope Leo XIII after the confirmation of a miracle involving the inexplicable cure of Sister Maria Luisa del Santissimo Sacramento (1843–1891), a Redemptoristine nun suffering from advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Diagnosed as incurable in 1890, she recovered fully after invoking Majella, as verified by medical panels and Vatican scrutiny.[8]
This miracle permitted limited veneration in the Kingdom of Naples regions.
Canonization
Canonized on December 11, 1904, by Pope Pius X following a second miracle, the cure of Pacifica Iacobelli in 1903 from a ruptured ectopic pregnancy and peritonitis. Doctors attested no natural explanation after novena prayers to Majella.[17]
Universal veneration followed, with feast inclusion.
Miracles
Saints are often recognized for specific miracles performed or attributed to their intercession. For Saint Gerard Majella, authenticated miracles pivotal to canonization include healings defying medical explanation.
- No other authenticated miracles beyond those for beatification and canonization are universally recognized by the Church.
Miracle for beatification
The miracle approved for beatification was the healing of Sister Maria Luisa del Santissimo Sacramento, a nun in Scala, from terminal tuberculosis in 1891. Bedridden and expectorating blood, she invoked Majella during a novena; within days, she rose cured, with lungs cleared per X-rays and physicians.[5] Vatican commission, including non-Catholic doctors, declared it inexplicable.
This event, investigated 1891–1893, underscored Majella's patronage for the sick.
Miracle for canonization
The canonization miracle involved Pacifica Iacobelli of Muro Lucano, who in 1903 suffered a ruptured ectopic pregnancy with peritonitis. After surgery deemed futile, her husband prayed to Majella; she expelled the affected tube naturally and recovered fully, verified by autopsy threats unmet.[18]
Medical board in 1904 confirmed supernatural intervention.
Other notable miracles
- Bilocation to Iliceto to calm a dying child, witnessed by family (hagiographic).
- Prophecy of a brother's fall from ladder, preventing injury.
- Multiplication of food for poor missions (tradition).
Patronage
Saint Gerard Majella is the patron saint of mothers; childbirth; expectant mothers; falsely accused people; lay brothers; good confessions; Diocese of Anglona-Tursi; Muro Lucano, Italy.
Feast day
October 16
Veneration
Saint Gerard Majella is venerated through novenas, especially nine-day prayers before childbirth, and pilgrimages to his shrines. Relics, including his incorrupt heart, are kept at Santuario di Materdomini.
He has been depicted in numerous artworks, including paintings by Neapolitan artists showing him levitating. Literature like St. Gerard Majella by Fr. Berthe portrays his life. Relics and shrines influence annual festivals in Italy and Italian diaspora communities.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
- St. Gerard Majella by Augustine Berthe
- Life and Miracles of St. Gerard Majella by Fr. Frederick Faber
Written by the saint
External links
- St. Gerard Majella at Catholic.org
- Catholic Encyclopedia: St. Gerard Majella
- Redemptorists: St. Gerard Majella
- Official Materdomini Shrine
References
- ↑ "C. St. Gerard Majella". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06450a.htm.
- ↑ "Homily of John Paul II". Vatican. 2004-12-11. https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20041211_majella_en.html.
- ↑ "St. Gerard Majella". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=993.
- ↑ Berthe, Augustin (1915). St. Gerard Majella. P.J. Kenedy & Sons. p. 5. https://archive.org/details/stgerardmajella00bertgoog.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namednewadvent - ↑ "St Gerard Majella". Redemptorists. https://redemptoristsinvitation.org/st-gerard-majella/.
- ↑ "St. Gerard Majella". Redemptorists. https://www.cssr.news/st-gerard-majella/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Berthe, Augustin (1915). St. Gerard Majella. P.J. Kenedy & Sons. pp. 120-130.
- ↑ "San Gerardo Maiella". Official Shrine. https://www.sangerardomaiella.it/en/.
- ↑ "Santuario di Materdomini". https://www.sangerardomaiella.it/en/.
- ↑ "Santuario San Gerardo". https://www.diocesianglonatur.si.it/santuario-san-gerardo-muro-lucano/.
- ↑ "Caposele Shrine". https://www.cssr.news/caposele/.
- ↑ "Shrine St. Gerard". https://olmcnewark.org/shrine-st-gerard-majella/.
- ↑ "Oliveto Shrine". https://www.diocesiteggianopolicastro.it/.
- ↑ "Toronto Shrine". https://www.archtoronto.org/saint-gerard/.
- ↑ "Auletta". https://www.diocesiteggianopolicastro.it/.
- ↑ "Canonization Decree". 1904-12-11. https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-x/en/apost_letters/documents/hf_p-x_apl_19041211_gerardus-majella.html.
- ↑ Considine, John (1959). The Lives of the Saints. Catholic Book Publishing. pp. 456-457.