Saints celebrated on the 25th of May
SAINT GERIUS, CONFESSOR
Saint Gerius is the patron saint of the town of Monte Santo near Loreto. He probably lived in the 13th century. A Frenchman, he was descended from the Counts of Lunel in Languedoc.
Migne* calls him "blessed," he is referred to as Ferdinand's younger brother and called by the Latin name Egirius (French, for example, Géri) The Bollandists*, on the other hand, suggest that the name Gerius is an abbreviation of Rogerius. According to them, his life story is full of fables. Those include that he had been fed by snakes on his pilgrimages; a she-bear showed him the way to Rome, etc.
It is beyond doubt, though, that St Gerius had a reputation for great holiness, and that after his death (and probably also during his lifetime) he was glorified by miracles. Incidentally, even when he died (as the legends of several holy pilgrims report), the bells of the Abbey Church of St Peter are said to have started ringing on their own accord. Pope Benedict XIV approved public devotion to Gerius in 1742 (VI. 159-161.)(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Gerius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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