Novena to St Gerard Majella
Feast: 16 Oct
When to pray: Begin on 7 Oct and finish on 15 Oct, the eve of the feast. A novena is prayed on nine consecutive days.
Prayer for each day
St Gerard, protector of mothers, pray for this pregnancy and every child waiting to be born, and comfort those who wait or grieve. Amen.
Day by day
Day 1: Poor tailor's son
He hath put down the mighty from their seat and hath exalted the humble.
Luke 1:52, Douay-Rheims
St Gerard Majella, you were the son of a poor tailor in southern Italy. God has exalted the humble. Teach me to be content with little and to trust that God loves the lowly. Amen.
Day 2: Redemptorist brother
For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
Ps 83:11 [Ps 84:10], Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, after being refused more than once, you were received as a lay brother of the Redemptorists. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God. Help me to serve God gladly in whatever place he gives me. Amen.
Day 3: Joy in obedience
Jesus saith to them: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, that I may perfect his work.
John 4:34, Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, you found joy in obedience. Jesus said, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. Help me to find my joy in doing the will of God. Amen.
Day 4: The handkerchief
So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons: and the diseases departed from them: and the wicked spirits went out of them.
Acts 19:12, Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, tradition tells that you left your handkerchief with a family, and later it was a comfort to a mother in danger in childbirth. God works through humble things. Bless all mothers, and be near them in their need. Amen.
Day 5: Mothers in labour
A woman, when she is in labour, hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
John 16:21, Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, patron of mothers, Jesus spoke of a woman in labour who forgets her pain for joy that a child is born. Protect every mother in labour and every child being born, and give them safe delivery. Amen.
Day 6: The unborn
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother’s womb.
Ps 138:13 [Ps 139:13], Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, God possesses our reins and protected us in our mother's womb. Protect all unborn children, strengthen mothers who are afraid, and convert hearts to love and defend every human life. Amen.
Day 7: Families hoping for a child
For this child did I pray, and the Lord hath granted me my petition, which I asked of him.
1 Kings 1:27 [1 Sam 1:27], Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, Anna prayed for a child, and said, For this child did I pray, and the Lord hath granted me my petition. I commend to you all couples who long for a child. Comfort them and obtain for them God's blessing. Amen.
Day 8: Loss and grief
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Matt 5:5 [Matt 5:4], Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. I commend to you all parents who have lost a child before or after birth. Console them, and entrust their little ones to the mercy of God. Amen.
Day 9: Thanks for life
I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.
Ps 138:14 [Ps 139:14], Douay-Rheims
St Gerard, I will praise thee, for wonderful are thy works. On this last day I thank God for the gift of life, for my parents and for every child. Keep all families under your care. Amen.
Scripture
Douay-Rheims numbering (modern in brackets): 1 Kings 1:27 [1 Sam 1:27]; Acts 19:12; John 16:21; John 4:34; Luke 1:52; Matt 5:5 [Matt 5:4]; Ps 138:13 [Ps 139:13]; Ps 138:14 [Ps 139:14]; Ps 83:11 [Ps 84:10]. Scripture index
Source
Written for The Crusade, 2026. How we check sources