40. "Blessed Joseph Gerard, OMI (2)"

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“Blessed Joseph Gérard, OMI”

Joseph Gérard, born in 1831 in France, joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate at the age of 20.

Two years later, he was sent by the Order’s founder, Eugene de Mazenod, as a missionary to Southern Africa. He was never to see his family or homeland again.

Ordained in South Africa in 1854, he first served the Zulu people. Later, he helped set up the first Catholic mission in Lesotho. It was there he would spend the rest of his days. He died in 1914, on May 29, his feast day, and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

In the icon, Blessed Joseph Gérard, OMI, is depicted pointing at the cross. He wants the attention focused on Jesus, our Savior.

We have all been called to minister to others as missionaries, each in his or her own personal way.