We Catholics have prayers for every occasion and patron saints for every cause, even the odd ones. If you lose something, pray to St. Anthony de Padua. If you’re being bugged by wasps, you can ask the intercession of St. Friard. Probinsyanas can have St. Germaine Cousin as their intercessor.
Pregnancy is a serious matter. Many women experienced difficulties and some perish because of it. For this reason, it is very important that the pregnant woman and her husband seek the help of God. An added bonus for us, Catholics, is that we can seek the help of saints in heaven.
Let me reiterate that we don’t pray to saints as if they were gods. We pray to them for intercession because they are close to God. They are like friends who plea to God on our behalf.
Bonnie Way listed 7 patron saints for pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. The most popular, of course, is the Virgin Mary. The next popular patron saint for pregnancy, based on Internet search, is St. Gerard Majella. His intercession is sought by pregnant women because of the miracle that occurred after he prayed for a woman in labor.
So, aside from the Virgin Mary, I will also ask the intercession of St. Gerard for healthy pregnancy and safe labor of Lei.
Here is the prayer to Saint Gerard that can be recited by expectant mothers:
Pregnancy is a serious matter. Many women experienced difficulties and some perish because of it. For this reason, it is very important that the pregnant woman and her husband seek the help of God. An added bonus for us, Catholics, is that we can seek the help of saints in heaven.
Let me reiterate that we don’t pray to saints as if they were gods. We pray to them for intercession because they are close to God. They are like friends who plea to God on our behalf.
Bonnie Way listed 7 patron saints for pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood. The most popular, of course, is the Virgin Mary. The next popular patron saint for pregnancy, based on Internet search, is St. Gerard Majella. His intercession is sought by pregnant women because of the miracle that occurred after he prayed for a woman in labor.
So, aside from the Virgin Mary, I will also ask the intercession of St. Gerard for healthy pregnancy and safe labor of Lei.
Here is the prayer to Saint Gerard that can be recited by expectant mothers:
O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love. O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by 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 it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Husbands and loved ones of expectant mothers can use this prayer too. Just replace “me” with the name of the expectant mother and “I” with “she”.
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For more saints with odd patronages, please visit the Aggie Catholic blog.
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