Pray to Saint Gerard if You Hope to Conceive a Baby

Saint Gerard Majella was once falsely accused by a pregnant woman of being the father of her child. He refused to defend himself, but the woman later admitted that she had lied. Because of this incident, in Roman Catholicism, Saint Gerard is considered the patron saint of mothers and motherhood, as well as the patron saint of those falsely accused.

This prayer could be said as a novena, which is recited nine days straight, by a woman trying to conceive a child.

A "Prayer to Saint Gerard for Motherhood"

O glorious Saint Gerard, powerful intercessor before God, and wonder worker of our day, I call upon you and seek your help. You who always fulfilled God's will on earth, help me to do God's holy will. Intercede with the Giver of life, from whom all parenthood proceeds, that I may conceive and raise children who will please God in this life, and be heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

More About Saint Gerard Majella

Saint Gerard was a Redemptorist from Naples, Italy. Redemptorists were missionaries from Italy who preached to the poor and neglected people.

St. Gerard Majella had a reputation for performing miracles. One account tells of a young woman who picked up a handkerchief dropped by Saint Gerard and handed it back to him. It is said that in his prophetic wisdom he told her to keep the handkerchief. Many years later, the woman was in the midst of childbirth and was in danger of dying or losing her child. She asked for the saint's handkerchief to be brought to her. Upon receiving the handkerchief, her pain stopped, she went on to live through the childbirth ​process, and birthed a healthy child.   

Saint Gerard was sickly upon birth himself. He had a hasty baptism, on the day he was born, for fear that he would not make it. He died at the age of 29. He was denied admission to the religious order three times before he was ordained. Despite his weak frame and pallor, it was said that he still did the "work of four" people.

Other Prayers to Saint Gerard

There are a number of other prayers you can say to ask for Saint Gerard to intercede on your behalf. For pregnant women and babies, there is the "Prayer to Saint Gerard for Mother With Child," and "Prayer to Saint Gerard for a Sick Child." 

There are prayers that reflect the trials he endured as a person who was unjustly accused of wrongdoing. These prayers include "Prayer to Saint Gerard to Obtain Patience," and "Prayer to Saint Gerard in Time of Trial."

Also, as St. Gerard was someone who was sickly, you can recite the "Prayer to Saint Gerard for a Sick Person."

Since St. Gerard spread the word of God to the poor and needy, you can also say prayers for the poor: "Prayer to St. Gerard for Special Blessings" and "Prayer to Saint Gerard in Temporal Needs."