Novena to St. Gerard Majella

1ST DAY.—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. Nine Hail Marys.

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, we may be made like unto the same Divine Image, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

2ND DAY.—Saint Gerard, most generous saint, who from thy tenderest years didst care so little for the goods of earth, obtain for me 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. Nine Hail Marys, with V. and Prayer as on 1st Day.

3RD DAY.—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 succor the distressed and console the sorrowful, obtain for me that, loving God, my only Good, and my neighbor for His sake, I may be hereafter united to Him for ever in glory. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

4TH DAY.—Saint Gerard, spotless lily of purity, by thy angelic virtue and thy wondrous innocence of life thou didst receive from the Infant Jesus and His Immaculate Mother sweet pledges of tenderest love, grant that I may ever strive manfully in my life-long fight, and thus win the crown that awaits the brave and the true. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

5TH DAY.—Saint Gerard, model of holy obedience, who throughout thy life didst most heroically submit thy judgment to those who represented Jesus Christ to thee, thus sanctifying thy lowliest acts, obtain for me from God cheerful submission to His holy will and the virtue of perfect obedience, that I may be made conformable to Jesus, my Model, who was obedient even to death. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

6TH DAY.—Saint Gerard, most perfect imitator of Jesus 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. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

7TH DAY.—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. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

8TH DAY.—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 Paradise, obtain for me 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. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.

9TH DAY.—Saint Gerard, most favored child of heaven, to whom Mary gave the Infant Jesus in the days of thy childhood, to whom she sweetly came before thou didst close thy eyes in death, obtain for me 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. Amen.

So I hope, so may it be. Nine Hail Marys, etc., as on 1st Day.