In 1725. Gerard Majella was born as the son of a tailor in  Muro,  Italy. Gerard's 

Father died when he was twelve  years old  which left the family in poverty.  Gerard was apprenticed to a tailor who was very unkind.  Gerard apprenticed to join the Capuchin monastery but his poor health prevented him from joining the monastery. So Gerard was apprenticed as a lay brother who served his order as a tailor, infirmarian, gardener and porter.

During his laymanship, Gerard was accused by a woman as being the  father of her unborn child.  Because of this accusation, Gerard retreated into silence until the woman later cleared him of the accusation.  This incident led Gerard becoming associated with pregnancies and childbirth.  He has become associated with the pro-life movement and good will toward unborn children.   Gerard died of tuberculosis in 1755.  He left a note on the door of his room that read, "Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills."  Gerard was canonized in 1904.