St. Gerard Majella Coloring Page
This St. Gerard Majella coloring page shows the young brother in his black habit and white collar, holding a crucifix and white lilies, with a mother and her baby beside him and a hill town behind. The PDF is free to print. Gerard is the patron saint of mothers and babies.
The story of St. Gerard Majella
About 300 years ago, in a little town in the hills of southern Italy, a boy named Gerard was born. His father was a tailor, and Gerard learned to sew too. He was a thin, gentle boy who loved to pray and loved Jesus in the Eucharist.
When Gerard grew up, he wanted to give his whole life to God. He asked to join a group of missionary priests and brothers called the Redemptorists, founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori. But the priest in charge said no, because Gerard looked too thin and weak. Gerard did not give up. He tied his bedsheets together, climbed out of his window and walked twelve miles to catch up with them. "Give me a try," he begged, and they took him in. He became a brother. He worked as a tailor, a gardener, a cook and a doorkeeper, and he did every job with love. He gave food to poor people who came to the door.
One day someone told a terrible lie about Gerard. When St. Alphonsus asked him about it, Gerard did not argue or defend himself. He stayed quiet and trusted God. After a while the person who told the lie admitted it was not true, and Alphonsus said, "Brother Gerard is a saint."
People tell a special story about Gerard. Once, when he was visiting a family, he left his handkerchief behind. A girl ran after him to give it back, but Gerard told her to keep it, because one day it would be useful. Years later, when she was having a baby and was in danger, she asked for the handkerchief and prayed. She and her baby were safe!
Gerard died when he was only 29. Today mothers all over the world ask St. Gerard Majella to pray for them and their babies, and he is a favorite patron saint of pregnancy. His feast is October 16.
What to color
- His habit: black with a white collar, the clothes of a Redemptorist brother.
- The rosary: brown or black beads hanging from his belt.
- The crucifix: brown wood, because he wanted to be like Jesus.
- The lilies: white with green stems, for his pure and innocent heart.
- The mother and baby: soft blues, pinks and yellows, because he prays for mothers and children.
- The handkerchief: white, for the story of the handkerchief he left behind.
A prayer to pray together
Families waiting for a new baby can pray:
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Children can add: and keep our mother and our new baby safe.
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on his feast, October 16.
- Pray for a mother you know who is expecting a baby, and give her this page as a gift.
- Make a card for a new baby in your family or parish.
- Talk about it: Gerard stayed quiet and trusted God when someone told a lie about him. What can we do when someone is unfair to us?
Read the full story: St. Gerard Majella in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Gerard Majella?
Gerard wore the black habit of the Redemptorists with a white collar. Make the lilies white with green stems, the crucifix brown, and give the mother and baby soft, happy colors.
Why is St. Gerard the patron saint of mothers?
Gerard once left his handkerchief at a family's house and told the girl who ran after him to keep it, because it would be useful one day. Years later, when she was in danger while having her baby, she asked for the handkerchief and prayed, and she and her baby came through safely. Mothers have asked his prayers ever since.
Why does St. Gerard hold lilies?
Lilies stand for a pure heart. Once someone told a lie about Gerard, and he stayed quiet and trusted God until the truth came out. The lilies remind us that he was innocent.
Is this coloring page free for schools?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your home, classroom or parish.