Today, 13 October, the Church celebrates the feast of Blessed Gerard, the humble and visionary founder of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, later known as the Knights Hospitaller.
Born in the 11th century, most likely in southern Italy or France, Blessed Gerard dedicated his life to the service of the poor, the sick, and the countless pilgrims who travelled to the Holy Land. In the midst of the Crusades, when conflict and upheaval surrounded Jerusalem, his response was not through arms but through compassion.
Around the year 1099, Gerard founded a hospital in Jerusalem that welcomed and cared for all in need, regardless of faith or background. From this simple act of mercy grew a brotherhood that would unite the spiritual life of monastic vows with a mission of hospitality and, in time, the defence of the vulnerable.
Though much of Gerard’s early life remains hidden to history, his legacy continues to speak clearly across the centuries. He died in 1120 and was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1888. His feast day calls us to remember that humble service, rooted in faith and love, has the power to transform the world.
A precious relic of Blessed Gerard endures to this day: his skull is preserved and venerated in the Monastery of St Ursula in Valletta, Malta. It stands as a powerful reminder of the Order’s deep and unbroken connection to the island that became its home for generations.
Blessed Gerard, faithful servant of Christ and guardian of the poor—pray for us.