Gerard of Villamagna
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Blessed Gerard of Villamagna, also known as Gerard of Monza, was a Franciscan tertiary. He is sometimes referred to as Gerald rather than Gerard, and given the title of saint, although not canonised.
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[edit] Biography
Gerard was born in 1174 in Tuscany, Italy. He was first esquire, then a knight but was taken prisoner whilst on crusade.
After he had been ransomed, he returned to Italy where he became a Franciscan tertiary and lived the rest of his life as a Benedictine hermit noted for his piety.
He died in 1242 of natural causes
[edit] Veneration
He was beatified in 1833 (cultus confirmed). His feast is on 13 May
He is a patron saint of bodily ills and the sick.
[edit] Iconography
He is usually shown as an old Franciscan tertiary, either: distributing bread from a mule; holding cherry blossoms; praying near a tree; with a bowl and spoon at his feet; with a staff and rosary or with a missioner's cross; or with Saint Philip Ciardella.
[edit] Sources and references
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