Families gather for St Gerard celebration

Families and friends attended St Clement’s Retreat in Galong, NSW, on March 15 to celebrate the tercentenary of the birth (300) of the Redemptorist Brother, and ‘Champion of the Family’, St Gerard Majella.

Picnics were the order of the day while a barbecue lunch was also provided.

An outdoor Mass was held on the grounds of the Monastery, celebrated by Fr John Hodgson CSsR – the Provincial Superior of the Redemptorist Congregation of Oceania.

Born into a poor family, St Gerard devoted his life to manual labour and conducting intense missionary work in isolated villages in Italy. His life was distinguished by simplicity and deep prayer.  

Well-known for his charity to others and dedication to God, St Gerard is invoked as a patron of mothers, especially in times of pregnancy. Couples hoping to conceive a child also seek St Gerard’s intercession, the patron saint of mothers and a source of constant help and inspiration to parents.

So numerous were the miracles that God worked through St Gerard’s intercession, that during his lifetime he became known as ‘the wonder-worker’.

St Gerard was born on April 6, 1726, and died on October 16, 1755.

Feature image: John Hodgson CSsR saying Mass.

Second image: The faithful going  to communion.

Third Image: Marty the MasterChef hard at work.

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