On April 23, 1726, St. Gerard was born. Since he was a very frail child, his parents had him baptized the same day he was born. When he was twelve, he lost his father. Twice, St. Gerard attempted to join the Capuchin Order, but they refused him since his health was not good. When he was twenty-three years old, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, more commonly known as the Redemptorists, accepted St. Gerard into their order. Four years later, the twenty-seven year old St. Gerard was accused of having relations with a young woman. Neria, an acquaintance of his, created the gossip. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder, asked the saint about it; he remained silent. Later, the girl denied the accusations and cleared his name. The saint passed away on October 16, 1755 at the age of 29 due to tuberculosis.
A few months before his death, St. Gerard had visited a family and dropped his handkerchief. One of the daughters saw the handkerchief drop and gave it back to the saint. He told her, "Keep it. You may need it some day." The young girl married a few years after the saints death and became pregnant. When she was giving birth, she experienced extreme pain and risked dying. She remembered the saint's handkerchief and prayed to him. The pain left her, and she gave birth to a healthy child. Due to this amazing miracle, many women have implored the intercession of St. Gerard for healthy pregnancies.
This small 3.5" pewter statue of St. Gerard Majella is a beautiful reminder of the life of this amazing saint. Because he is the patron saint of pregnancies and mothers, it would make a wonderful gift for a mother who is pregnant. His feast day is celebrated on October 16.