Majellan tribute to St Gerard

Of good Saint Gerard let us sing

A youth perfect in everything

A man like unto God the Son

Sweet Mary’s own, Her cherished one

While yet a boy in church was he

Both day and night on bended knee

The Madonna’s Son watching there

Was minded to reward his prayer

To him who did so well behave

Small white round loaves of bread they gave

The child from that statues’ arms

Came alive with all infant charms

And with young Gerard He did play

With him who did so love to pray

Thus this Infant, Mary’s Child

Tenderly on Gerard smiled

When unable to receive Our Lord

St. Michael for help, he implored

And the Archangel drawing nigh

Brought the Angel’s Bread from on high

Escaping home, a note he left

Leaving his dear ones bereft

‘To be a Saint I’ve gone’ said he

‘To become a Saint; forget me!’

A useless monk they thought he’d be

But Gerard pleaded earnestly

With Alphonsus’ sons he would stay

Permitting none to bar his way

His firm resolve they could not move

So time they gave, his worth to prove

To his word this Brother held true

The work of four he soon could do

Ever poor for Christ’s dear sake

Gerard for self, nothing did take

The bitter he loved, not the sweet

God’s love to him was wine and wheat

And thus well inebriated

From earth was he liberated

To feed the poor, O holy joy!

Thus did God His servant employ

Like th’angels he was said to be

Yet wickedly accused was he

 Though loving well virginity,

Would not forget humility

In defence this great man of God

Did neither shake his head nor nod

And at his silence all did wonder

Till that lie Truth broke asunder

Now his face ever refulgent

Gerard was most obedient

‘Into th’oven!’ one bade him go

And so he went with head bowed low

Till the cook peering inside

 Stood in awe, himself beside

There crouched Gerard all serenely

Awaiting death all too keenly

A man of wonders he became

In that short life of grace and fame

Miracles happened everywhere

The yell, ‘The Saint!’ rang in the air

And though with mystic gifts replete

O how he longed to be discreet!

Yet oft his wish would be reversed

Whilst even the sea he traversed

Deeply Christ’s Mother he did love

Simple and pure like the dove

Like Her he loved God’s Holy Will

Whether it brought him joy or ill

With the Crucified now he stands

Glorified and with outstretched hands

Come then come, to good St. Gerard!

~To good St. Gerard come!

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