June 19th: Blessed Gerland

Religious of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and of Rhodes and of Malta

Memorial

It is not known for certain whether he came from Poland or the Germanic areas of Europe, but he was certainly a Knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. At the time of Emperor Frederick II, he served in a little church at Caltagirone in Sicily, caring for widows and orphans, devotedly and without thought for himself. He died about 1271 and is still honored at Caltagirone, where his relics are venerated in the Basilica of San Giacomo.

Collect

Lord God, who brought Blessed Gerland from the north to Sicily and inspired him to wear a hair shirt in place of the armor of the knights of our Order, arouse in us a zeal like his so that our lives may always aim at perfection. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Amen.

This information was provided by Fra’ James-Michael von Stroebel. Click here to view the complete Calendar of Liturgical Celebrations Proper to the Order.