When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Saturday, October 17, 2015

The Communion of Saints...Powerful Allies


World War I claimed an estimated 16 million lives. The influenza epidemic that swept the world in 1918 killed an estimated 50 million people. One fifth of the world's population was attacked by this deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.

It caught doctors and scientists completely by surprise and when people contracted the disease, even in the US, they were ill prepared to treat it.  By today’s medical standards, it would probably not be as deadly, but back in the early 20th Century……..

Sylveen Batty (my grandmother) contracted the disease in Autumn that year.  Doctors told her husband Clarence and her mother to “go home and make arrangements” because she was not expected to survive the night—and the child she was carrying (my mother) likely would not survive either.

They were devastated!  They started contacting family and friends to pray for Grandma, and had the priest come in to give her Viaticum.  Someone mentioned that there was a “new” saint she knew about who was the patron saint of new mothers and difficult pregnancies.  Somehow, Great-grandma got ahold of a relic that “just happened” to be in town.  She and Grandpa took the relic to the hospital and placed the relic on Grandma’s stomach.  They spent the evening in prayer asking for St. Gerard’s intercession to our Lord for a miracle survival. 

It worked!  The next morning, the doctor was amazed that Grandma was still alive, and in fact so much improved that the prognosis for her survival (and that of my mother) was good, and she could go home in a couple of days!    

That was the first time our family relied on St. Gerard.  There was a second time as well, and the reason my middle name is Gerard.

In early 1953, my mom found out she was pregnant again, but she was really worried.  She had had three miscarriages since her last child (Bill) and was afraid she might have another heartbreaking miscarriage this time.  Grandma reminded Mom of her own “worrisome” pregnancy and the prayers to St. Gerard.  Grandma and Mom turned to the saint once again for his intercession and promised that if this pregnancy went to term, she would name the child after him.

I can tell you from personal experience and gratitude that if you know anyone who is struggling with a pregnancy or motherhood, turning to St. Gerard is a pretty good bet!  You can read more about him here.

St. Gerard, Pray for us!

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