Saint Gerard of Brogne was born in the late 9th century in present day Belgium. Early on, he desired to be a soldier, but after serving in the Count of Namur, he felt called to leave behind his worldly pursuits and dedicate his life fully to God. He then travelled to France and was deeply formed in the Benedictine tradition. Upon returning home, he founded the Abbey of Brogne, which became a place of spiritual renewal and monastic reform. Gerard worked tirelessly to restore discipline and holiness in monasteries throughout Belgium and northern France.
One thing we can learn from Gerard is to be open to God’s plan. He left behind a promising military career for something higher. God will often invite us to let go of comfort or security of the future to follow a greater path that He has blazed.
Another lesson from Saint Gerard is seeking renewal in the faith. For most of his life, he worked hard to restore discipline and holiness in monasteries. Maybe that is not what we are being called to do, but we can still examine the areas of our lives that need restoration. We can find renewal through prayer, confession, and the sacraments.
Ultimately, Gerard’s life was not marked with pride, but humility and obedience. We can practice this in our daily lives by listening before speaking and putting other’s needs before our own.
Saint Gerard died in 959 and is remembered for restoring monastic life and being faithful to God’s call. He is the patron saint of abbots and monastic reformers.
Today we pray for all those who are at a fork in the road or who are feeling God’s invitation to follow a new path. We pray that God may give them the grace to accept his will for them and fully embrace it as Saint Gerard did.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord, amid the things of this world, let us be wholeheartedly committed to heavenly things in imitation of St. Gerard the Abbot.
Amen.
Saint Gerard of Brogne, pray for us.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tomorrow’s saint of the day is Saint Francis of Assisi.
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