SAINT GERALD OF SAUVE-MAJEURE, ABBOT

SAINT GERALD OF SAUVE-MAJEURE, ABBOT - 5 APRIL

SAINT GERALD OF SAUVE-MAJEURE, ABBOT

Saint Gerald of Sauve-Majeure

Saint Gerald (Geraldus) is variously mentioned as Gerardus, Gerhardus, Giraldus, Giraudus [French: Gérard de Corbie]. The first abbot of the Sauve Majeure (Silva, also Salvia major) monastery near Bordeaux, Gerald was born in Corbie around the year 1030. He received his early education at the famous abbey of that city. Here, that extraordinary strength of soul was formed in him, that strength that completely renounces earthly goods and pleasures for the sake of God and always longs for greater and more intimate union with the divine will.

In his youth the saint suffered from a very severe headache, which bothered him particularly because it hindered him not only in his studies, but also in his prayers and mortification. The doctors he consulted about it knew and found no help. So he decided to seek relief from this evil through persistent prayer to God. His prayers he combined with good works in honour of the Holy Trinity: he cared for three poor men, washed their feet and served them meals. Furthermore, Gerald undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, where he had the privilege to be received by Pope Leo IX. In due course, he was ordained a priest. He also wrote a biography of Saint Adelard. Finally, through the intercession of this Saint, whose relics were translated around that time, Gerald was completely cured of his troublesome headaches.

Now, according to the urge of his heart, he strove to grow in humility. Moreover, he intensified holy meditation, praying for hours on end both during the day and at night, and led a life that was more heavenly than earthly. God also graced his servant with visions. Christ Himself appeared to Gerald in the monastery church. The actual events of Holy Thursday and Good Friday took place before Gerald's eyes. Towards the end of this particular vision, Our Lord descended from the cross, approached Gerald, saying: "Be strong, my son!"

This particular period of Gerald's life culminated in his pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Upon his return he was appointed abbot of the monastery of Saint Vincent in Laon. However, a few lines have come down to us from him that confirm that he was unable to find there the inner peace he was looking for there.

Therefore, with the abbot's permission, he went into the desert without knowing where he would settle, and eventually Duke William VII (not Guido) of Aquitaine took care of him by appointing him the first head of the Sauve-Majeure monastery, which the latter had founded. Gerald settled into his new position and from 1077 or 1079 onwards, he became known as a zealous preacher of repentance and and also as a trusted confessor for the entire area. The provision he made for the dead members of his monastery testifies of his great piety and charity. He requested all the brothers to pray for the deceased, ordered Masses to be read and generous alms to be distributed for the benefit of those Holy Souls.

Saint Gerald was graced by God with the gift of miracles during his lifetime, but even more so after death. He died, after establishing a nunnery not far from his own monastery, on April 5, 1095 (not 1050, as Bucelin* states). Pope Celestine III canonised Gerald in 1197 (according to Lechner*, this was done by Pope Celestine V in 1291). Butler* (I. 74) mentions him. Our Saint is not listed in the Roman Martyrology*. The festival of the translation of his relics is celebrated on October 13.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 391)

*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 Gerald 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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