Life of Blessed Gerard Majella : lay-brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer

Front matter

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Preface To The First German Edition

An abundance of the most extraordinary operations of divine grace, set in the frame of ;i very ordinary human life, is what is here presented to the reader.

The atmosphere <>f miracles, which'he enters who disdains cot to peruse these pages, will in no manner mislead the reader, provided he keeps constantly in mind the design of God in raising up souls similar to the \ ble ( lerard Bfajella.

1*8 design does noi aim simply at setting in the firmament of the Church, as new stars, those extraordinary beings who shall serve to increase the knowledge of "da^ and night, " and point out the right coursethrough the dangerous Bea of this life; thai is, God does not wish tn raise ap only such Baints, who by their efforts and -• and the clear manifestation <>f their soul's

life in everj particular may serve as models for instruction and imitation. < rod's design is a loftier one, showing forth, in these vessels of grace, in an onmistakab] • and even palpable manner, His continued presence and working in the Church; and by means of heavenly ornaments, exhibiting this Si... us.- of the H<>!,\ Ghost in all her grandi or and maj< stj .

\- o u Lord, in the beginning of Hi- < Ihurch Bought, by the glorj of Hie miracles and those of His Apostles, to attract the attention of men and to make them ack now ledge " //• • ■

. and shall act, continuallj t<> the <'n«l of time, for the benefit i »i

He permits ind forth like

rnatural beingH, in whom miracles become in ac< i

VI. PREFACE.

tain sense personified, and who force us to acknowledge that "There is the finger of God."

These saints are to us arguments for our holy faith rather than models for imitation. They are the visible signs of God's spirit invisibly operating in His Church. They are the fulfilment of the prophecy of the Redeemer: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name, they shall cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues, they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them, they shall lay their hands upon the sick and they shall recover." (Mark XYI ; 17, 18.)

Such saints are the bridal ornaments of the Church of which only she can boast, and, in which she cari not be imitated in the remotest degree by any of the heretical sects.

The appearance of these highly privileged souls has for its first object the awakening of faith, of conviction, of enthusiasm for our holy religion, and of that sentiment which our enemies so fondly and so absurdly call, the fanaticism of the Catholic Church. Besides, 1 >y these specially gifted members are often healed the partial injuries done to the Church, which require the services of extraordinary physicians ; sometimes, they are needed to enkindle the fire of zeal in a particular part of God's Kingdom, or to put the seal of divine approval on a recently established sacred institution.

Keeping these things in view, the Catholic reader will find in the life of the servant of God, Gerard Majella, nothing strange or repulsive, notwithstanding the superabundance of what is wonderful. To the infidel, as well as to those under the erroneous impression that the Church is merely a human institution, and not a divine organism, vivified by the divine spirit, the history of the life of Brother Gerard will certainly appear to be only a fable and a tissue of lies ; to the believer however, it

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will afford a new argument for truth; a consolation and strength In the exercise of faith. He will meditate with edification on the \ irtues of the saintly young man, especially the virtues of humility and heroic obedience, and will reflect with ealutarj astonishmeni on the great number of wonderful gifts which the Lord designed to

bestow upon him.

A touching spectacle will be to him the poor lay-brother, who, with the greatest simplicity and the most childlike innocence accomplished an extraordinary design of God.

Called l>y the Lord, even in the days of his childhood, Gerard obeys the divine voice with the most astonishing zeal; steadily and rapidly growing in spirit under the pressure of all kinds of Bufferings and trials, he manifests himself, under the influence of grace, a worker of miracles, a prophet, a theologian, a director of souls, and a man of God.

Wherever he goes, he revives languishing piety, enkindles ardent faith, enlivens Christian Charity, rescues innumerable souls from destruction. To his country, he is an ornament, and to the recently established ( congregation of Saint Alphonsus, a support. After a few years, he is called from the earth leaving behind him the splendor of his miracles. This is truly a life which manifests the power of grace ! It is the happy consummation of one of those designs of God Avhich are conceived for the salvation of those who say: "Oh Lord I believe! help my unbelief !" 'I he reader is, however, justified in asking the question, whether the narration of so wonderful a life can lay claim to full credibility? To this we can answer most decidedly in the arhinative. The sources from which is drawn the history contained in these pages, are of such a nature, that there cannot be the least doubt as to their genuineness and authenticitv.

VIII. PREFACE.

In regard to the history of Gerard's life and miracles, very many intelligent and truth-loving persons have given, under oath, their testimony contained in the "Acts relative to the Beatification and Canonization," — Acts from which the highest ecclesiastical authorities have formed the judgement that the Venerable servant of God practised the Christian Virtues in a heroic degree. These declarations, being pure and genuine sources, must be of the highest value to the historian.

Of not less importance and value are to the reader the two lives of the Servant of God written by Fathers Anthony Tannoja and Joseph Landi. Father Tannoja, the well known, exact, and conscientious biographer of St. Alphonsus, not onl}* lived in the Congregation with the servant of God, but also had opportunities to observe him more closely, and perfectly to discern his spirit. The little book he wrote of him, and in which he recorded with his usual care the most important events of his life, was published in 1804.

Even before Father Tannoja, Father Landi had taken up his pen in behalf of the saintly brother. He, too, could speak from personal observation; still his work, though finished in the year 1870, was never published, and exists only in MSS. .

From the following three sources, later biographers have principally drawn their materials, viz : from Father Celestine Berruti ; then from the author of the Life of the Servant of God, published in Kome in 1875 ; (Compendio della vita delV. Gerardo Majella della Congregazione del SS. Ftedentore e narrazione di molte grazie miracolose operate da Dio ad intercesione del Venerabile,) and, lastly, from the Author of the French Life, published in 1878 : "Life of the Venerable Gerard Majella." (Vie du Venerable Gerard Marie Majella Frere servant de la Congregation du Tres Saint Piedempteur par, un Pere Redemptoriste (Fred. Kuntz.) The

PREFACE. IX.

latter author, by a careful and critical use of the above-mentioned sources, was able to Furnish a work which may be regarded complete in every sense, especially as he sought to establish the correct chronological order of events, to which slight attention had been paid by the other authors.

As regards the present history of the life of the Venerable Gerard, it is also taken from the "Acts of Beatification" and the notes of Father Tannoj a. i Father Landi's work was not so accessible to the author) yet strict regard was paid to the French life above mentioned, from which we have borrowed the order of events, as well as several other incidents not elsewhere mentioned, and from which we did not depart in any essential point.

The short notices relative to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and a few of its prominent members, interwoven in the narrative of the Life of Gerard are taken from the "Croniche della Congregazione del SS. Redentore," written by Father Alexander deKisio C.SS.R.', now Archbishop of San Severino.

Every one may now read this book with the assurance that what he has before him has been drawn from trustworthy sources, which have several times been subjected to a rigorous examination.

Besides, as is required by the Holy See, we here declare, that to the Acts recorded as miracles and as having been performed by the Servant of God, simple human faith should be ascribed, and in regard to them, we do not wish that the judgement of the Church should be anticipated.

The same remark must hold good with respect to the names Blessed and Saint used in this book, so far as they are given to persons who are not yet honored by the Church with these titles.

X. PREFACE.

May this book contribute to the honor of God, and the glory of His Servant Gerard !

May the reader while tasting the sweet kernel not become displeased with the bitter shell that surrounds it. Charles Dilgskron, C.SS.R.

Vienna, Church of Our Lady of the Strand. Feast of

the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 1879.

Preface To The Second German Edition

In concluding the first edition of the life of the Venerable Brother Gerard we expressed the hope that the servant of God would soon be honored on our altars. This hope has been realized ; Leo XIII., now gloriously reigning has solemnly numbered Gerard Majella among the Blessed, and sanctioned his public veneration with the usual restrictions. The fulfilment of our hope allows us to publish a new edition of the life .of the Blessed Brother. We do this with the consoling conviction that this new edition will be perused with greater interest by the reader, since the subject of this biography now belongs to those whom every faithful Catholic is, not to say bound, but at least disposed to regard with especial sympathy and A'eneration.

Whilst reminding the reader that the remarks prefixed to the first edition apply equally to the second, we desire to add an observation which is especially called for by this edition. The reader will not only find in it many corrections that explain themselves, but also several material changes, principally in regard to the chronological sequence of events ; and the changes demand a satisfactory explanation. In regard to these changes, we make the following observations :

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When the firsl edition of the life of Blessed Gerard uas written, the material as well as khe chronological order of events had to be drawn from the oldest sources then obtainable, namely the w ritings of Fathers Tannoja and Landi. These first biographers of th< Brother had made useofthe Father Oaj(

Gerard's last confessor, which had collected

immediately after the Brother's death by the order of St. Uphonsus. Tlic\ did not male- direct use of 1 notes which were Dot published ai the time for good reasons, and were afterwards entirely forgotten. 1 made use of a actions work of Father

Oajone, Id which he reproduced the contents of his original notes, but without strict accuracy regarding the chronological order of facts and many other details. The consequence was that in regard t«> chronology and several circumstances, errors crept into the works of Fathers Tannoja and Landi. Bya happy coincidence the original notes of Father Oajone, s<> long forgot were lately discovered; audit became possible to correct the inaccuracies of those biographers, and to rectify the chronological order of facts. This, therefore, is the reason for the material changes, which the reader finds in this new edition.

May the second edition meet with the same favorable reception as the first, and procure for the Bh Brother many friends, clients and imitators.

Rome, Convent of St. Alphonsus. On the Feast of the

Purification of Our Blessed Lady, 1893.

Fatheb Charles Dllgskbon.

Ever since the Church has decreed to Blessed Brother Gerard the honor of her altars, devotion to him has spread widely in this country. This increase is largely due to the confidence in his intercession which the miraculous character of his life cannot fail to inspire. Few saints of the last century were more favored with extraordinary gifts than the humble lay-brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Man is always impressed by the marvellous and extraordinary ; it is therefore to be expected that he who was so highly favored by God, should also be greatly honored by men. "Wherever the virtues of the holy brother are extolled and published, the demand for a complete biography of Brother Gerard becomes universal. It is to comply with this demand that the present edition of Blessed Gerard's life is offered to the public.

We hope that it will increase in the reader's heart the love of Our Lord and of His Blessed Mother, which was the source of Gerard's holiness. May he still extend his tender sympathy and efficacious intercession to those who confidently invoke him.

The Redemptorist Fathers.

173 East Third Street,

New York City.

LETTERS APOSTOLIC

In Reference to the Beatification of the Ven.

Servant oe God Gebabd M jjella, Lay-Brother of the

Congregation of ri ii: Mosi Hoi.y Kkiu;i:.mi:i;.

LEO XIII.

Fob \ Pi.imtti \i. Remembrani e.

[nnocence of life, which is so very pleasing t*> fche

heavenly lamb Who feedeth among the lilies, can with

truth be called the foundation of all Christian virtues.

Wherefore, among the number of the most renowned

heroes of ( !< >d"s church. ha\ «• al \\ a\ s 0660 counted those

who have preserved untarnished the white robe of innocence received in Baptism; and, strenuously repelling the wily attacks of the common foe, have preserved the

first years of their youth in purity and holiness, although subject to so many evil inclinations and surrounded by so many grave dangers. These angelic youths Whom God prevented with the blessings of His sweetness, preserving the prerogatives of divine grace with unshaken fortitude amidst the trials and troubles of this world, -these youths, I say, shine as beautiful lights, and serve in these important times to the Christian people, as models and examples. Among these holy youths may justly be classed the Venerable Servant of God, Gerard Majella, professed lay-brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, who, following the footsteps of St. Aloysius and St. Stanislaus, seems to be an angel from heaven come among men, and who has been to the aforesaid Congregation, already renowned for its merit, a most beautiful example and ornament.

The servant of God was born at Muro, in 1726, of lionest and pious parents, and received in Baptism the name of Gerard. From his very youth it was his delight to study piety, integrity of morals, and to practise

XIV. riiEFACEt

obedience towards his parents. Therefore lie abstained from all frivolous plays and sinful occupations, and employed bis time in heavenly things, especially in meditating on the sufferings of Christ, before a crucifix which he had erected in his garden. Next to God he loved the Blessed Virgin Mary, and as soon as he was able to do so, he journeyed through the rough streets to the Holy House of the Mother of God. Not far from the city there was a little chapel erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly called "Captignagno," and there he would venerate the statue of the Blessed Virgin, holding the Infant Jesus in her arms. Kneeling in the chapel before the altar one day imploring the help of the Infant Jesus and His divine Mother with fervent supplication, wonderful to relate, the Divine Child left the arms of His mother and hastening towards Gerard and embracing him, handed him a beautiful loaf of white bread. Gerard was beside himself with joy, and filled with celestial happiness he remained in the embrace of the Infant Jesus for some time. Having been favored Avith such great condescension on the part of God, and presented with the wonderful bread by the Holy Child, Gerard iioav turned his thoughts towards the Most Blessed Sacrament of the altar. Burning with desire to receive this heavenly bread he hastened to the church. It happened that a priest was distributing Holy Communion to some of the faithful. Gerard urged by his ardent desire, pressed foward and joined those who were to receive. The priest, however, noticing the child beckoned him to depart. Overcome with shame, and with tears in his eyes, he left the Holy Table only to beseech God the more fervently to grant his prayer ; nor was his petition in vain. That same evening while Gerard was praying in his little room, St. Michael whom he highly venerated, appeared to him surrounded by a most radiant light and coming near

PREFACE. XV.

administered to him the Holy Communion and transported liim 1" the heavenly choirs, The pious youth in the embrace of his beloved Jesus was filled with joy, as though he were already in heaven possessing the celestial vision of God. Eenceforth all his thoughts and cares were directed towards overcoming all obstacles in the acquirement of virtue. By means of penance and

purity of heart; by Watching and fasting and cruel

scourging, he strove to subdue his flesh. Meanwhile his parents had nothing more at heart than that Gerard should be educated in the liberal arts, to which

he also applied himself with such zeal that he was a model and example to all. The death of his father,

however, which occurred soon after, interrupted his course of studies. Confronted by poverty, his mother was obliged to put Gerard to work. Therefore she apprenticed him to a tailor, and here according to the Avill and permission of God, the pious youth had ample opportunity to practise patience. One of the foremen of the tailor-shop, a wicked,

unjust man, and prone to anger, who hated the youth on account of his piety, besides overwhelming lum with abusive language, often laid hands on him and cruelly beat him. Gerard, however, bore this cruel treatment with a cheerful mind and for the love of God. The cruel and unjust treatment only ceased when the wicked man himself recognized the sanctity of the youth. Gerard now besought God with fervent prayers and pious supplications, that He might make known to him His Holy Will as to what kind of vocation he should follow. It happened that the Eedemptorist Fathers came to Muro to conduct the exercises of a mission. Gerard recognizing their piety and virtue asked to be received among their number. On account of the poor health of the young man, the superior refused to accede to his wishes, which refusal Gerard bore with patience. But, finally, discarding the prayers and petitions of his mother, and firm in his resolve, he fled from home, and hastening to the Fathers "who were just departing after the close of the mission, he overtook them and again overwhelming them with his prayers and petitions to be admitted as a member, the Superior finally, by the inspiration of Divine Providence, received him, and he was placed among the lay-brothers. Freed from all the cares and distractions of the world he now began his novitiate, and strove in the holy house of God, - the cloister, to advance in the way of sanctity. Appointed sacristan, he fulfilled his duties in a most perfect manner and spent whole hours, day and night, in adoration before the Most Blessed Sacrament. As Almoner he visited, on foot, the neighboring villages and environs, everywhere exhibiting the brightest examples of patience and charity. With the greatest patience and zeal for souls he strove to bring back the wicked from their evil ways, and with glowing words to exhort them to the practice of virtue and piety ; to the sick and poor he rendered all possible assistance. Nor were his labors in vain, for very many were brought back to the path of virtue and integrity of morals. Filled with the spirit of God, he seemed to be actuated by divine rather than human power, and hence he was commonl}- called an apostle. His novitiate being noAV over, he pronounced his religious vows in 1752, on which occasion he returned most fervent thanks to God, promising, with the divine assistance, in the future to make still greater progress on the road to perfection. "When appointed janitor he exclaimed with joy on receiving the keys of the convent: "Behold the keys of paradise" — and the virtues which he practised in that position have certainly merited for him the happiness of heaven. As porter, the Servant of God was most solicitous and exact in the observance of the rules and in the practice of

fraternal charity. Ee often shared his own meals with others, imparting to them at the same time some timely

advice, and encouraging them to place all theii ' hopes

in their heavenly Father, Whogivetb to all abundantly. God Who loves the humble heart, was pleased to confirm this admirable charity of Gerard by miracles. On

account of the want of grain and the hard times, the

inhabitants of that place were eking out a miserable existence. In order to relieve such a want, the pious servant of God opened the store-room of the convent, and gave to the needs the necessary assistance. The Superior of the convent being worried al this, reprimanded him; but wonderful t<> relate, the store-room

was never empty and bread was never wanting in the

dining-room. This marvelous event caused the servani of God to be held in high veneration and t<> be railed a saint. Wherever he went the people received him

with joy; they looked upon him as one come from heaven, and they desired much to hear him speak. Although not a man of learning he was nevertheless enlightened from on high, and by his simple way of speaking

could move the hearts and the minds of men ; he could moreover solve even the most difficult questions proposed to him. Already ripe for heaven, the end of his life was drawing near, and he himself foretold that he would soon die. Iu the month of June 1755 he was seized with a mortal illness; he made his confession, received the Holy Viaticum and Extreme Unction. When about to depart this life, suddenly raising himself he exclaimed: "Behold the Virgin is coming."" and seeing the mother of God who came to visit him, he fell into ecstasy, and like a seraph for a little while enjoyed the delights of heaven. Soon after, repeating again the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, he peacefully rendered up his pure soul to God — at the age of 29 yrs. 7 mos. and 7 days. The fame of his sanctity which was spread

XVIII. PREFACE.

far and wide, was much increased by the miracles which God wrought through his intercession. For this reason the Cause of the life and virtues of the Venerable Servant of God was brought before the most eminent Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, and all things having been submitted to a careful examination, Pius IX of blessed memory, on June 8th, 1877, pronounced the virtues of Gerard heroic. Later on, the miracles wrought through the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, which confirmed his heroic virtues, were taken into account, and upon thorough examination four of them were declared authentic. We issued a decree as to their authenticity on March 25th of the past year. One thing still remained, namely, that the Most Eminent Cardinals of the aforesaid Sacred Congregation of Rites should be asked whether they thought it proper or opportune, to place the Servant of God among the Beatified, and in a general session held by us on April 26th of the past year, they all unanimously declared that the Process of Beatification could safely be begun. The event however, being of such great importance, we hesitated until with fervent prayers we should ask the divine assistance. This having been done on the 8th day of September of the present year, the day consecrated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we solemnly decided that the cause of the Beatification of the Servant of God could safely be introduced. Therefore, in accordance with the most fervent petition of the clergy of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, with the advice and consent of the aforesaid Congregation of Cardinals, by these apostolic letters, we hereby decree that the Venerable Servant of God, Gerard Majella, professed lay -brother of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer should be henceforth numbered among the Beatified, and that his relics may be exposed for veneration t<> the faithiu] al large, and that hi-- pid may be surmounted with ermil

the recitation of th< Office of the Venerable Servant and the Celebration of the Mass de Commune I

>ris non Pontificis, with tin- Oration proper as approved bj us according t<< the rubrics of the Mi and the Roman Breviary. The recitation of the Office and celebration of 1 1<>!; ! however permi

only iii tin 1 cities ;mii! ill" in all ilu 1 chapels and churcl Congregation of the Mosi Holy Redeemer. I more, thai H0I3 Massmaj be celebrated in horn Beatified by all tin- clergj secular or regular, who happen to sojourn in a place where the Eeasi of tin' B tied is commemorated. Finally, we hereby permit with tin' rousr; it of the ( Ordinary, theSolemnii Beatification of the Veaerable Servant of God, maybe celebrated with horj Mass and divine Office of double rite in all the aforesaid churches and chapels of the Congregation of the Mosi Boly Redeemer. This 1 bration is to take place within the Bpace of after the Solemn Beatification of tin- Servant of G< has been celebrated by us in the Vatican Basilica. We wish, moreover, that copies of this apostolic in. duly signed by the secretary of the aforesaid S) Congregation of Kites and scaled with the seal of tin- Prefect of said Congregation, that such copies should enjoy the same amount of credence and authority as the original which was published by us.

Given at St. Peter's, Borne, under the Fisherman's King, December 6th, 18U'2, the 15th of our Pontificate. Seraph Card. Yaxutelli.

CHAPTEE I.

The Hk.hly Favored Child.

In Basilicata, a province of the kingdom of Naples, on ;i slope of the Appennines, in a most charming - 1

lies the little, town <>t' Minn. A row of hills prote< from the rough storms of the north, while toward the south a vast smiling and fertile plain is stretched oul

before it. At the time of which we write, ii had a population of seven thousand, and it was not only an Episcopal see, Imt gave shelter to a large cumber of

monks and nuns. In tin' course of centuries there cann

forth from this prett y little town many able men, who shed lustre on their native place by the Bplendoi of their piety, their reputation for learning, as well as by the laurels which they had won on the battle-field. Perhaps there was never born in Muroone 1 that was destined to become the joy of its native place in so extraordinary a manner as the child whose wonderful life we have undertakes to write. He was horn on the Oth of April, 1726, a and was baptized on the same day, in the cathedral, by the Archpriest Felix Coccicone.

The Blessed Gerard Mary Majella may he said to be one of the grandest phenomena of the Church of the eighteenth century.

He is in fact one of the purest and most cultivated flowers in the garden of the Catholic Church, one of tin >se

!) Besides Gerard Maria Majella, we know only the Venerable Dominic Gerardelli, a Conventual, the cause of whose beatification has been begun.

-''Thus according to the acts in the process of beatification. According to the testimony of the present bishop of Muro, Monsignor Rafaele Capone this date does not agree with that given in the statistics. There the 23rd of April is given as the birthday of Blessed Gerard.

22 THE HIGHLY FAVORED CHILD.

great, incomprehensible souls, whose deeds, miracles, and life constitute an uninterrupted intercourse with heaven. He is one of those brilliant stars that appear from time to time in the firmament of the Church, and usually exercise a powerful and salutary influence over men whom the night of infidelity threatens to overtake.

His cradle swayed in a very modest house. Gerard's parents, Dominic Majelia, who was a tailor by trade, and Benedicta Galella, were indeed rich in heavenly gifts, and highly esteemed by their townsmen for their virtuous lives ; but they were very poor in this world's goods, and were obliged to support four children, Bridget, Anne, Elizabeth and Gerard by the work of their hands.

God provided most lavishly for Gerard, from the beginning of his life. He, as it were, put upon his first steps and movements the mark of His special and extraordinary predilection. His countenance always appeared sweet and calm, so that all persons gazed on him with pleasure. Among the first words that he uttered were the Holy names of Jesus and Mary ; and one of his first actions was to make the sign of the Cross on his forehead, mouth, and breast.

When he was six years old, he was so intelligent and zealous in exercises of piety that one could have supposed him to be much older. In spite of his precocity. however, he preserved the tenderness and sweetness of his years. He did not like the amusements of children ; his recreation consisted in making little altars, which he adorned with flowers and pictures, in erecting small crosses, and in doing other similar things, by which, he wished to imitate the ceremonies of the Church. He took delight in singing hymns while gazing upon the pictures of God's chosen servants. Another enjoyment was to bend the knee, thus proving his constant