GERARD of Villamagna born 1174 in Tuscany Italy. He died in 1242 and was buried in Villamagna. He served as an esquire to a knight in the crusades in Palestine and there joined the Order of St John of Jerusalem. He was received by Francis in the Order of Penance and became a hermit.
Painting of Gerard http://www.smom-za.org/images/mecatti.jpg
Next to Hugh and Ubaldesca, Gerard is held in the highest esteem by the Order of Malta. See a very complete account of his life at link after the collect.
"O God, who called blessed Gerard, like your own Son, to intense striving in the wilderness, strengthen us by penance and prayer and make us fitter for our Christian duties. 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."
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