Thanksgiving Part I: St Gerard Majella, Patron of Mothers and Expectant Mothers

St Gerard Maria Majella, ora pro nobis!

I have many things to thank God for, to thank Mother Mary for, to thank my Angel for, to thank all the Saints whom I have asked for help for … and so, in tribute to all whom I have to thank for, I am starting a “Thanksgiving” post series.

This first post, Part I, I call it, will be on St Gerard Majella, prayers first.

Novena to St. Gerard Majella for Motherhood

Good St. Gerard, powerful intercessor before the throne of God, Wonder-Worker of our day, I call upon thee and seek thy aid. 
Thou who on earth didst always fulfill God's design help  me to do the 
Holy Will of God. Thou knowest that our marriage has not as yet been 
blessed with a child and how much my husband and I desire this gift. 
Please present our fervent pleas to the Creator of life from Whom all 
parenthood proceeds and beseech Him to bless us with the child we so 
fervently pray for. Beseech the Master of life, from Whom all paternity 
proceedeth to render me fruitful in offspring, that I may raise up children 
to God in this life and heirs to the Kingdom of His glory in the
 world to come. Amen.

Dear Mother Mary, speak to Jesus for me. 

Say for nine times in a row for nine consecutive days. 

For Awaiting Mothers and Fathers 

O everlasting and almighty God, Who, through the operation of the Holy Spirit, prepared the body and soul of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God, to be a worthy dwelling for Thy Son, and Who through the same Holy Spirit, sanctified Saint John the Baptist before his birth; deign to hear the prayer of Thy humble servants. We implore Thee, through the intercession of St. Gerard, to protect me (her), in maternity and to safeguard against the evil spirit the child which Thou hast given us (them), that by Thy saving Hand, he or she may receive holy Baptism. Grant also that, having lived as Christians on earth, we (they) may attain  to everlasting bliss in Heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. 

For Children Before Birth

MARY, Immaculate Mother, I beseech thee by the joy that thou didst experience in the birth of Jesus, Thy Divine Son, to take under Thy motherly protection all the little ones that are to be born this day throughout the world.

Obtain for them the grace of holy Baptism. Watch over them always. Pray that from the day when they receive for the first time the God 
of love, their hearts, pure and innocent, may ever respond to the 
beatings of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, and attach themselves to Him forever. Amen.

“Il Santo dei Felici Parti” – “The Saint of Happy Deliveries”

Prayer for a Safe Delivery

O Great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of thy meek and humble Savior, and devoted Child of the Mother of God:

enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in thine and made thee a seraph of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, thou didst bear, like thy Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calummies of wicked men, thou hast been raised up be God as the Patron and Protector of expectant mothers.

Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child, which I now carry, that he may see the light of day and receive the lustral waters of Baptism, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Nine Hail Marys)

Thanksgiving for a Safe Delivery

Good St. Gerard, "Patron of Mothers," assist me in thanking God for the great gift of motherhood. During the months of my waiting I learned to call upon thee and placed the safety of my child and myself under thy   powerful protection. The great lesson of thy trust in God sustained me; thy slogan, "God will provide," became my hope and consolation. Thank God for a healthy and normal baby and my own good health.

Help me to prize the great treasure of motherhood and obtain for me from God the graces to raise my child as a child of God. In gratitude I will continue to call upon thee and will tell other mothers about their special patron and friend.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Anne, Therese, I love You; Save Souls!

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.