O n October 16, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Gerard Majella, a humble and holy Redemptorist lay brother. Born on April 6, 1726, in Muro Lucano, Italy, about fifty miles south of Naples, he was the son of a tailor, Dominic Majella, and grew up in a large and poor family.

When Gerard was twelve years old, his father passed away, and his mother, struggling with poverty, sent him to live with his uncle. Soon after, he became an apprentice to a tailor. Although his employer treated him kindly, the foreman treated him harshly.

After several years, Gerard entered the service of the Bishop of  Lacedonia, who was a difficult and demanding master.

When the bishop died in 1745, Gerard returned home. By the age of  21, he had become a skilled tailor who generously shared his earnings, su

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