Gerard of Villamagna

Blessed Gerard of Villamagna, also known as Gerard of Monza, was a Franciscan tertiary. He is sometimes referred to as Gerald rather than Gerard, and given the title of saint, although not canonised.
==Biography==
Gerard was born in 1174 in Tuscany, Italy. He was first esquire, then a knight but was taken prisoner whilst on crusade.
After he had been ransomed, he returned to Italy where he became a Franciscan tertiary and lived the rest of his life as a Benedictine hermit noted for his piety. 
He died in 1242 of natural causes 
==Veneration==
He was beatified in 1833 (cultus confirmed). His feast is on 13 May 
He is a patron saint of bodily ills and the sick.
 
==Iconography ==
He is usually shown as an old Franciscan tertiary, either: distributing bread from a mule; holding cherry blossoms; praying near a tree; with a bowl and spoon at his feet; with a staff and rosary or with a missioner's cross; or with Saint Philip Ciardella.
==Sources and references==
*Patron Saints Index article
*Saints o'the Day: 13 May
Category:1242 deaths
Category:13th-century Italian people
Category:Franciscans
Category:Beatified people
Category:13th-century venerated Christians