I am extremely blessed to have been named after two great saints. I think St. Stephen is guiding me each day to look for our Lord in everyday situations and live the life Jesus expects me to live. I can only hope to be as holy and filled with the Spirit as my patron Saint, the first martyr for Christ.
I only recently found out that I was given my middle name of Gerard because of a promise my mother made to our Lord and St. Gerard. Mom had 3 healthy boys already, then suffered 3 miscarriages. She prayed for St. Gerard’s prayers to Jesus that she could carry her next child to term. She promised if a healthy child was born, she would name the child after St. Gerard. Here I am. I am also finding myself drawn more and more to St Gerard because of the impending birth (in December) of my first granddaughter, whom my daughter has already named Liliana Noelle (Lily). Can’t wait! St. Gerard, please protect Alicia and Lily and all pregnant mothers and their unborn children. Amen.