October 7 – October 15
Saint Gerard Majella is the patron saint of expectant mothers, unborn children, and those hoping to conceive. He was known for his deep humility, obedience, and powerful intercession—especially in difficult pregnancies and family situations.
Through this novena, we ask his prayers for our needs, trusting in God’s grace and love.
How to Pray This Novena
Each day includes:
- A short meditation
- A prayer to Saint Gerard
- Nine Hail Marys
- Final invocation and closing prayer
Daily Novena Prayers
Day 1
Saint Gerard,
ever full of faith obtain for me that,
believing firmly all that the Church of
God proposes to my belief,
I may strive to secure through a holy
life the joys of eternal happiness.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray.
O Almighty and everlasting God,
who didst draw to thyself Saint Gerard,
even from his tenderest years,
making him conformable to the
Image of Thy Crucified Son,
grant we beseech Thee,
that imitating his example,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Day 2
Saint Gerard,
most generous saint,
who from thy tenderest years didst
care so little for the goods of earth,
grant that I may place all my confidence
in Jesus Christ alone,
my true Treasure,
who alone can make me happy in time
and in eternity.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 3
Saint Gerard,
bright seraph of love,
who despising all earthly love,
didst consecrate thy life to the service
of God and thy neighbor,
promoting God’s glory in thy lowly state,
and ever ready to assist the distressed
and console the sorrowful,
obtain for me, I beseech thee,
that loving God the only God and
my neighbor for His sake,
I may be hereafter united to Him
for ever in glory.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 4
Saint Gerard,
spotless lily of purity,
by the angelic virtue and thy wonderful
innocence of life thou didst receive from
the Infant Jesus and His Immaculate Mother,
sweet pledges of tenderest love,
grant,
I beseech thee,
that I may ever strive in my life-long fight,
and thus win the crown that
awaits the brave and the true.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 5
Saint Gerard,
model of holy obedience,
who through thy life didst heroically
submit the judgment to those who
represent Jesus Christ to thee,
thus sanctifying thy lowliest actions,
obtain for me from God cheerful admission
to His Holy Will and the virtue of perfect obedience,
that I may be made comfortable to Jesus,
my Model,
who was obedient even to death.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
Day 6
Saint Gerard,
most perfect imitator of
Jesus Christ our Redeemer,
do thou whose greatest glory was to
be humble and lowly,
obtain that I too,
knowing my littleness in God’s sight,
may be found worthy to enter the kingdom
that is promised to the humble
and lowly of heart.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 7
Saint Gerard,
unconquered hero,
most patient in suffering,
do thou who didst glory in infirmity,
and under slander and most cruel
ignominy didst rejoice to suffer with Christ,
obtain for me patience and
resignation in my sorrows,
that I may bravely bear the cross
that is to gain for me the
crown of everlasting
glory.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 8
Saint Gerard,
true lover of Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament of the Altar,
do thou who didst kneel long
hours before the Tabernacle,
and there didst taste the joys of the Paradise.
Obtain for me,
I beseech thee,
the spirit of prayer and an undying love for the
Most Holy Sacrament,
that thus receiving frequently the Body and
Blood of Jesus,
I may daily grow in His holy
love and merit the priceless grace of loving
Him even to the end.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Day 9
Saint Gerard,
most favorite child of heaven,
to whom Mary gave the Infant Jesus in
the day of thy childhood,
to whom she sweetly came
before thou didst close thine eyes In death,
obtain for me I beseech thee,
so to seek and love my Blessed Mother
during life,
that she may be my joy and
consolation in this valley of tears,
until with thee,
before the throne of God,
I may praise her goodness for all eternity.
Amen.
Say nine Hail Mary’s
V. Pray for us, O Saint Gerard.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Who Is Saint Gerard Majella?
Saint Gerard Majella (1726–1755) was an Italian lay brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists). He was known for his deep humility, obedience, and remarkable devotion to God from a young age. Though he never became a priest, his holiness and miraculous intercessions made him widely beloved by the faithful.
He is especially honored as a model of virtue, charity, and purity — and most famously as a powerful intercessor for expectant mothers.
Origin of His Patronage of Motherhood
Saint Gerard became the patron saint of pregnant women and childbirth because of a miraculous event that occurred during his life. One day, he accidentally dropped his handkerchief while visiting a family. A young girl picked it up and tried to return it, but he told her:
“Keep it. You may need it someday.”
Years later, after becoming a wife and mother, she faced serious complications during childbirth. Remembering Gerard’s words, she asked for the handkerchief to be brought to her. As soon as it was placed nearby, her pain eased and she gave birth safely. Both she and her baby survived.
This miracle became widely known, and ever since, countless mothers have turned to Saint Gerard Majella for protection, safe deliveries, and healthy children.
Why Pray This Novena?
Devotion to Saint Gerard is especially meaningful for:
- Expectant mothers and women hoping to conceive
- Families praying for the health and safety of children
- Anyone facing medical concerns during pregnancy or birth
- Those seeking to imitate his humility, obedience, and love for the Eucharist
Praying this novena is a beautiful way to ask for his intercession, entrust yourself or a loved one to God’s care, and grow in trust in divine providence.
The Novena to Saint Gerard is traditionally prayed from October 7 to October 15, leading up to his feast day on October 16.
Final Thoughts
This novena is a beautiful opportunity to grow in faith and trust, especially for those who are expecting a child or facing any family or personal need. Saint Gerard’s intercession is powerful and loving.
Let us ask him to help us surrender to God’s will, just as he did with joy and humility.
“Thy will be done.” – Matthew 6:10