ST GERARD PRAY FOR US - A HYMN IN HONOUR OF ST GERARD

On the 25th April 2026 we marked 300 years since the birth of St Gerard, before Mass a hymn 'St Gerard Pray for us' was sung by the music group, with the congregation being invited to join in with the refrain.  The Mass ended with a hymn to St Gerard composed by Fr Francis Hall C.Ss.R.  His cure was the catalyst for the Redemptorists at Bishop Eton receiving the first copy of the Icon of our Mother of Perpetual Succour to leave Rome. 

It was sung again as the final hymn at 6pm Mass on the 26th, before Mass, Angela (the main composer and lyricist) explained the background to the hymn.

“St Gerard Pray for Us”

The Bishop Eton Hymn to St Gerard

This hymn was written as part of a day of activities at the Parish of Our Lady of the Annunciation Bishop Eton, to mark the 300^th Anniversary of the birth of St Gerard Majella. It was first sung at a Parish mass led by the Archbishop of Liverpool and our Redemptorist priests on the 25^{th of} April 2026.

We wrote the hymn in honour of this day and this special saint.

St Gerard is widely known as The Mothers Saint, but he is also claimed by other groups.

After the death of his father, Gerard worked to support his family. He was bullied and abused for many years by the foreman at his place of work. For his sufferings and forbearance he is  known as The Workers Saint.

He was famously dismissed as useless when he first begged to become a Redemptorist, but he persevered and was eventually accepted.  During his time with them, he became known as The Saint of Good Confessions because he had the gift of getting people to look inside themselves and really be honest about their sins.

Finally, he was the subject of a serious slander for which he was punished, until the person who accused him recanted.

St Gerard bore all these trials with great grace.  Over the centuries he has become known as a great intercessor and worker of miracles - not only a saint of mothers, but a saint who pleads for the everywoman and the everyman.  We hope to honour his life and the significance that he has for so many with the words and music of this hymn.

We have written this too for our amazing Redemptorist priests who work so hard for us all and for the wonderful people of our Parish.

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Aside

To avoid confusion it is worth mention that whilst St Gerard is considered  the saint of a good confession, St Alphonsus is the patron saint of Confessors and moral theologians, a title bestowed on him by Pope Pius XII on 26 April 1950

ARCHBISHOP SHERRINGTON'S HOMILY AT THE VOTIVE MASS OF ST GERARD MAJELLA C.SS.R

Thank you to Archbishop Sherrington for allowing us to reproduce the homily he gave on 25th April as part of the votive Mass of St Gerard.

VOTIVE MASS OF ST GERARD MAJELLA

25 April 2026

Bishop Eton, Liverpool

My brother’s name is Michael Gerard, his name comes from the prayers offered by my grandmother because my mother had difficult pregnancies. I am sure this resonates with many gathered here today and the many prayers have been offered for difficult pregnancies. St Gerard is a popular saint. The incident from St Gerard’s short life that led to this devotion was the occasion when a young girl noticed he had dropped his handkerchief. When she handed him the handkerchief, he told her to keep it, in case she needed it one day. Years later she was enduring a painful pregnancy and both she and the child were in danger of death. She remembered the handkerchief and prayed to St Gerard and immediately she recovered and gave birth to a healthy child. His cult began to spread rapidly and continues today.

The first lesson from our saint’s life is the mystery of intercession of the saints in heaven for us because we are all part of the Body of Christ. We can connect in prayer, on earth, with the souls in purgatory on their way to heaven, and with the saints in heaven. The saints are our intercessors.

Today we celebrate the 300^th anniversary of the birth of St Gerard Majella, born on 6^th April 1726. He was born in southern Italy into poverty, the youngest of five children. When he was only 12, his father died, and so even at that young age he became the family breadwinner, supporting his mother, Benedetta, and his three sisters and brother. He was apprenticed to a tailor and worked with him for four years although he was bullied by the foreman. After four years he then took the job of servant to the Bishop of Lacedonia, who it is reported was also a bully! When he died, Gerard, at the age of 19, went back to Muro and set himself up as a tailor, but by now he was beginning to think seriously about a religious vocation. He was a man of deep faith and showed love of the Lord and Our Lady. He cared for others and was generous towards others, therefore never making much money.

At the age of 21, during Lent, he resolved to imitate Christ as closely as possible. He then offered himself to the Capuchins, who turned him down. Soon a Redemptorist Mission came to Muro and he pleaded with the superior of the mission to accept him. He too tried to turn him down on account of his poor health, but his determination was such that although his mother locked him in the house, he tied some sheets together and escaped, chasing after the missionary priests and being accepted. Fr Cafaro sent him to the community at Deliceto with the famous letter: “I’m sending you another brother, who will be useless as far as work is concerned…” How wrong he was!

Two years later he took his first vows and became a much loved and wonderful worker in the communities where he was sent. He died of tuberculosis only three years later at the age of 29.

The second lesson from our saint is the mystery of God’s call and not knowing the length of life. St Gerard shows the importance of living life fully and for God. St Paul in the first reading captures this spirit of giving oneself for Christ – everything can be considered a loss for knowing Christ and following him.

St Gearard lived many extreme penances but also was known as a fun-loving person and highly eccentric… in a homily earlier this month at his shrine, Cardinal Semeraro called him “GOD’S LITTLE MADMAN” because he passionately wanted to serve God, was generous to others and loved others. A biographer speaks of his conformity with the will of God, explaining that it “was Gerard’s continual longing, even on his deathbed”.

His generosity is shown in a somewhat bewildering story, “One day at the porter’s lodge… someone presented himself… showing him a leg eaten away by a foul and gangrenous wound. St Gerard could not bear the sight. He placed it in his own mouth, thoroughly sucked it, and dried it with his own hands; and God crowned that act of singular charity with the instantaneous healing of that unfortunate man, who did not cease to cry out that he had dealt with a saint who had worked a very great miracle for him” (Positio, I, p. 41). There is a parallel with St. Francis kissing the lepar who was healed.

However sceptical we might be, this was Saint Gerard’s “madness”: a madness born of the fullness of his love for God and translated into charity toward his neighbour.

St Alphonsus wanted his order to be an order of saints, of course, fragility and holiness often go together. In his short life there was a false allegation made against St Gerard of a sexual misdemeanour. St Alphonsus then sent him to Ciorani and forbade him to receive Holy Communion. St Gerard believed it would be against the will of God to defend himself, trusted in God and it took a while before the matter was resolved. He was patient while it was investigated and he was cleared of the offence. Perhaps a third lesson for us is the need to trust in God in complex situations, be patient and not quick to jump to conclusions until the truth is known and justice with love is brought about.

St Gerard Majella pray for us.

Archbishop John Sherrington

^{ST GERARD - THE STORY OF THE HANDKERCHIEF}

PHOTOS FROM DAY CELEBRATING 300 YEARS SINCE ST GERARD'S BIRTH

Leaflets, postcards and prayer cards available on the day.	View from our streaming camera of the sanctuary	St Joseph's altar
The 'viral' painting of St Gerard, his relics, Fr Tim, St Alphonsus and the lady chapel	One of the roller banners accompanying the relics on their UK tour.	St Gerard's shrine
Adoration image from our streaming camera.	The relics, 'viral' painting and a second roller banner	Flowers in St Gerard's shrine
St Gerard's shrine was resplendant with flowers lovingly arranged by our Lay Associates The Icon with the handkerchief was written by a parishioner, memorialising one of the miracles attributed to St Gerard.
Postcards and prayer cards	Fr Tim with the relics, 'viral' painting and the medals he was to bless being watched over by St Alphonsus
The stole Fr Tim is wearing - has an embroidered image of St Gerard - which was commissioned for this year

Read more: Photos from day celebrating St Gerard

 A DAY IN HONOUR OF ST GERARD MAJELLA C.SSR 

THE MOTHERS' SAINT

BACKGROUND

April 6^th this year marked the 300th anniversary of the birth of St Gerard Majella and all over the world Redemptorists are inviting the faithful to thank God for their remarkable Lay Brother who, in spite poor health and a short life of just 29 years, left his mark on the world. As Patron Saint of mothers and babies, his intercession continues to be invoked by families in all their different needs. Even during his lifetime his fame as a man of God who could work wonders had become legendary. However, what established his special association with the family was the remarkable recovery of a mother and her child when prior to the birth both were expected to die. The mother recalled the occasion when she had picked up Gerard’s handkerchief and he had advised her to keep it because she may find herself in need of it.

As Redemptorists we are constantly being reminded of how many people even in today’s world are grateful for the intercession of St Gerard. Our day of celebration on April 25^th was a wonderful opportunity to thank God for St Gerard and ask for many more as well as introducing St Gerard to others who may not be aware of his story.

 Click on the images below for all things St Gerard

Click on the images of links below to learn more
Homily of Archbishop John Sherrington
A new Hymn to St Gerard		Photos		The story of the handkerchief
Learn more about St Gerard C.Ss.R		Jubilee Prayer		St Gerard's League

ST GERARD'S LEAGUE

The League of St. Gerard is an association of Christians united in prayer for family life and its Christian values.

Membership is open to all.

The enrolment fee covers postage and membership fee - which includes the League of St Gerard prayer book, card and a medal. plus a weekly Mass is offered for all members and their intentions.

If you would like to join please contact:

The Director, League of St. Gerard, Bishop Eton Monastery Woolton Road
Liverpool, Merseyside, L16 8NQ . United Kingdom

EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY TRAINING DAYS

Irenaeus will be leading their next Eucharistic Ministry training session in September

📅 Date:  Saturday 26th September 2026

📍 Location: Irenaeus Centre Great Georges Rd. L22 1RD

Contact the Parish Office if you feel you have a calling.

Mass and Service Schedule from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday 

Click on the date you are interested in below to be taken to the events for that date. 

Palm Sunday

Monday of Holy Week

Tuesday of Holy Week

Wednesday of Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

Good Friday

Holy Saturday

Easter Sunday

PALM SUNDAY

 Mass Schedule as normal  (Masses at 8.30am,10.00am and 6.00pm):

Palms will be blessed and distributed at all Masses.

Service of Tenebrae at the Metropolitan Cathedral on Sunday, 29th March from 7.30pm

MONDAY  OF HOLY WEEK

 Mass at 12 Noon 

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TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

  Mass at 12 Noon 

Rosary 7.30pm

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WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Mass at 12 Noon 

Novena in honour of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour 7.30pm

  Mass of Chrism at the Cathedral 7.30pm  For full details click here

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 EASTER TRIDUUM

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MAUNDY THURSDAY  

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HOLY THURSDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL   

Maundy Thursday Office of Readings 10.00am-11.00am

Mass of the Lord's Supper 7.30pm 

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GOOD FRIDAY 

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GOOD FRIDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL 

Good Friday Office of Readings 10.00am - 11.00am

Stations of the Cross 11.30am - 12.30pm

Celebration of the Lord's Passion 3.00pm 

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 HOLY SATURDAY  

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HOLY SATURDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL 

Holy Saturday Office of Readings10.00am - 11.00am

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter  8.00pm

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EASTER SUNDAY

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EASTER SUNDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL  

9am Mass   (Cathedral)

Family Mass 10.00am (Crypt)

Solemn Mass 11.00am  (Cathedral)

Sunday Evening Mass 7.00pm. (Crypt)

A DAY IN HONOUR OF ST GERARD MAJELLA C.SSR 

THE MOTHERS' SAINT

 📅 Date: 25th April 2026

📍 Location: Bishop Eton Church & the Fisher-More Hall 

Click on the images of links below to learn more
Learn more about St Gerard C.Ss.R		Schedule		St Gerard's League		Jubilee Prayer

FR TIM SETS THE SCENE

April 6^th this year marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of St Gerard Majella and all over the world Redemptorists are inviting the faithful to thank God for their remarkable Lay Brother who, in spite poor health and a short life of just 29 years, left his mark on the world. As Patron Saint of mothers and babies, his intercession continues to be invoked by families in all their different needs. Even during his lifetime his fame as a man of God who could work wonders had become legendary. However, what established his special association with the family was the remarkable recovery of a mother and her child when prior to the birth both were expected to die. The mother recalled the occasion when she had picked up Gerard’s handkerchief and he had advised her to keep it because she may find herself in need of it.

As Redemptorists we are constantly being reminded of how many people even in today’s world are grateful for the intercession of St Gerard. We hope that our day of celebration on April 25^th will often them a wonderful opportunity to thank God for St Gerard and ask many more blessings on them and their families, as well as introducing St Gerard to others who may not be aware of his story.

Please see below a programme of events throughout the day, including a lunchtime Mass led by Archbishop John Sherrington. The church will be open all day and a team of Redemptorists and parishioners will be available to ensure that all those who wish may reverence the relic of St Gerard and receive medals and prayer cards.

Of course, like most of the saints, St Gerard had great devotions to the Blessed Sacrament and to our Blessed Lady. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at certain times during the day, and, of course, Bishop Eton also houses a famous Shrine to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour: in fact we treasure the fact that the first copy of the icon to leave Rome after Pope Pius IX entrusted the original to the Redemptorists in 1866 came to the monastery here in Liverpool and this will also be on display on the day.

Light refreshments will be available through the day in the adjacent parish hall. We look forward to welcoming you and your families for this very special occasion.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS  

Click on the image below for a pdf you can download 

INVITATION TO JOIN IN: 

At 7.00pm on 25 April there will be an open Taizé-Style Service of Reflection and Song to close The Day of Celebration for St Gerard, including short readings on the themes of Family, Hope and Thanksgiving. The service is open to everyone to come and share their intentions or simply pray and reflect in Christian companionship.

We hope to see as many of you as possible on this special evening.

In addition, if you feel that one or more of these themes speaks to you in a special way, would you like to do one of the readings?

If so please email . 

CHRISTMAS MASSES 2025

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