As a youth he applied for admission to a Franciscan monastery in Parma but was apparently refused because, according to Salimbene, he was ignorant, foolish, illiterate, and low-born.
[1] In 1260, in accord with Matthew 19: 21 ("If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor...”), Gerard sold his possessions and went to the market of Parma and distributed his earnings.
The group walked about the streets chanting hymns, preached to those who would listen and ate what the people gave to them, sharing it with the poor.
Some Apostles were traduced at a council in Würzburg and a decree was issued which forbade them to preach and beg and the people were warned against encouraging them by giving food or water.
It is not clear why, but in 1300 he was interrogated again by the Grand Inquisitor of Parma: found guilty of relapsing into errors formerly abjured, he was thus burnt at the stake.