Blessed Feast of St. Gerard Majella

"Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?" -- St. Gerard Majella

O Great Saint Gerard*, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of God: enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you a servant of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the lustral waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord.

St. Gerard, pray for us.

Amen

*This great saint is invoked as a patron of expectant mothers as a result of a miracle effected through his prayers for a woman in labor.

Information on this saint and many others found at: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=150