Prayer to St Gerard Majella — for unborn children

A traditional Redemptorist prayer to St Gerard Majella, lay brother of the Congregation founded by St Alphonsus, invoked since the 18th century as patron of expectant mothers and the unborn after the miracle of the handkerchief given to a young woman in distress (Materdomini, 1755). Form from the Manuale Sancti Gerardi Maiella of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

O glorious St Gerard, who by your likeness to the Saviour deserved to be invoked as patron of Christian mothers and unborn children, obtain for me, through your intercession, this grace which I ask of you (mention petition).

Defend the life that God has entrusted to the maternal womb; sustain mothers in their pilgrimage; grant them patience in nausea, strength in weariness, peace in distress, and deep faith in divine Providence. Ask the Lord of life for all the children who are yet to be born: that they may be received in the love of a Christian family, baptised at the font of grace, and formed in the truth of the Gospel.

You, mater puerorum nascentium, shelter of little ones, give us your spirit of obedience, humility, and surrender to the will of God. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be.