ON S. GENESIUS THE BISHOP,
AT CLERMONT IN AUVERGNE.
ABOUT 662.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
The cult of the Saint and Acts. The fables rejected.
Genesius, Bishop of Clermont in Auvergne (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
The Arvernian city of Clermont, among its many holy Bishops, venerates on this III of June S. Genesius, the twenty-fifth Prelate of its See: to whom now is dedicated the Collegiate Church, built by him formerly, and to S. Symphorian, when he was buried in it, consecrated. Various Churches of S. Genesius, There is in the same place in the Church of S. Peter the altar of S. Genesius. Besides, various parishes are numbered, under the name of some S. Genesius in the Register of benefits of that diocese; namely S. Genesii l'Infant, and des Prés, in the Archpresbyterate of Clermont; S. Genesii of Retz, in the Archpresbyterate of Limagne; S. Genesii of Thiers, in Billom; near Casmede in Saucillanges; S. Genesii of Campestra, in Rochefort; and two others in Menat and Hermenchin. But on the fifth day of June is celebrated another S. Genesius, Count of Auvergne, whom Savaron in Origines Claromontanae asserts to have built five churches at Chamalières, and to have donated them with his castle to S. Bonitus the Bishop: and James Branche, in Saints of Auvergne, in his Life calls him an infant and Count of Auvergne. Besides another S. Genesius the Martyr is venerated on October 28 at Thiers by the river Dore, popularly Thiers: On that day, Cult June 3. although it is the feast of the Apostles Simon and Jude, yet a Commemoration is made of that S. Genesius the Martyr in the whole diocese of Clermont: in which on this III of June is celebrated under semi-double rite the Ecclesiastical Office of S. Genesius Bishop and Confessor. Hence you understand that from the places themselves must be sought the distinction of the many Saints of this name, who and where is venerated, which is not of our leisure now; but if some Arvernian should do this, he will have us docile in the Supplement of this month.
[2] Acts from a Ms. codex were sent us by Peter Francis
Chifflet; Fabulous Acts omitted. but those written some centuries after his death please less. For he is there said to have been substituted for Bishop Felix, whom he is known to have had as successor; and because Bishops formerly were also wont to be honored with the name of Pope, it is held that he was made Roman Pontiff. But this fable has so prevailed among the Arvernians, Savaron writes, that it can hardly be abolished. Some Life the said Savaron published in French and the above-named James Branche: Eulogy from the Illidian Ms. to whom similar things in Latin Saussay published in the Gallican Martyrology, whence Charles le Cointe took the eulogy at the year 656, in which he judges he was created Bishop: which we would also give, were it not that, from the Illidian monastery near Clermont, we had received an older context of a more sincere Legend; which although it is more encomiastic than historical, Clericate, and not of very great antiquity; yet it is the source of nearly all those things that hitherto are held probable about that Saint, nor mixed with any fabulous inventions, but wholly congruent with the Lessons prescribed in today's Clermont Breviary.
[3] That before his Episcopate Genesius was Archdeacon, is not said there; nor also that S. Praejectus, also Bishop of Clermont, proceeded from his institution; both however to his birthday on January 25 and the said year both Saussay and le Cointe deduce; and it is established from his Life, which we have published on the said day January 25 in second place by a contemporary author from ancient Mss.: in which at number 3 are read these things. Archdeaconship and the institution of S. Praejectus. When Praejectus was strong in the industry of singing and letters; his parents took care to commend him to Genesius the Archdeacon, who afterwards in the city of Auvergne obtained the dignity of Presulate. Who when he had seen a boy of noble nature more diligently nourished, first credited him with money for the food of the poor; with the search of erudition growing afterwards, he made him frequent his counsel. Thus there. But the author of the same age in the Life of S. Bonitus, also Bishop of Clermont, Magnilocus monastery: from ancient Mss. illustrated on the day of January 15, has these things at number 17: Genesius the most noble Pontiff founded the cenobium of Magniloc on his own land, and instituted the venerable man Euodius as Father. The said monastery in French is called Man-lieu and Grand-lieu. hospital, But the hospital was built by him near the gate of the holy Spirit, now from the Hospital named.
[4] An epitaph in white marble, sculpted unskillfully behind the altar of his chapel, Epitaph. is so represented by Savaron: ✠ Beneath this clod rest the limbs of Pope and Pontiff, a Roman by lineage, of Clarus by nation, the pious Pastor of most of his own. This building in his proper estates he raised by his own work, a Pontifical fabric. Which he received as a Chair, he ruled in peace. He was 62 years, of which life what remained in the world were the years, migrating from the world, with Prince Reigning King of the Franks. Charles le Cointe writes that he died in the year 662, at which time the Arvernians were subject to the Austrasians, by whom then King Childeric II, son of Chlodoveus II and brother of Chlothar III, King of Neustria and Burgundy, was taken up; under whom previously he seems to have lived as Princeps, called or named by this title among posterity: hence in the epitaph is read with Prince Reigning King of the Franks. Other things in that epitaph, perhaps mutilated by some worn words, obscure to the understanding, are not worth the laborious unraveling, the very attempt to illustrate perhaps making them more obscure. In the Clermont Breviary, after the proper Lessons of which above, this Prayer is added: Prayer. Protect us, merciful God, and grant that we may always glory in the protections of B. Genesius, thy Confessor and Pontiff, whose birthday we celebrate.
LIFE
From the Ms. Legendary of the Illidian monastery, communicated by James Bardion a Religious there.
Genesius, Bishop of Clermont in Auvergne (S.)
BHL Number: 3311
FROM MS.
[1] Blessed Genesius was sprung from the Arvernian city, Nobly born, generated from most noble parents of the Senatorial order, as is read in chronical genealogies. He from his earliest age, having been handed over to the liberal studies of letters, and instructed in all disciplines, and also enrolled in the Church of Christ, began to be so balanced, that he neither ceased from administering the offices of the practical life, nor by any doubt strayed from the way of the contemplative life of theoretical. Studying indeed with sagacity, he rendered to Caesar what was Caesar's, and to God what was God's. All peoples finally ran to him as to a fishpond, and an example of all virtue and thirsting drew the vein of living water from his breast, so that even rivers of living water flowed from their bellies, and they offered drink to others; with the Lord saying, He who shall drink the water which I give, in him shall be made a fountain of water springing up unto eternal life. Jn. 4, 14
[2] Every age, every sex, and every condition therefore loved him: he rightly instructs all, each one had in him what was his own, imitating the Apostle saying, I have been made to the Jews as a Jew, that I might gain all. 1 Cor. 9, 20 The young men loved him, because he exhorted them with fraternal admonition, that they should decline the malice of the world, and imitate the astuteness of the serpent and the simplicity of the dove, and be wise. The old men revered and loved him, because he assiduously admonished them, that those who had neglected to keep the first or second watch, should at least keep the third. He affably exhorted young women as sisters, old women as mothers, to flee worldly desires, and keep themselves immaculate, and devotes himself to works of mercy. and adhere to the one true and immortal Bridegroom God alone. Flourishing finally with these and similar things, intent on vigils and prayers, he afflicted his body with fasts, attenuated his face, fed the hungry and thirsty, covered the naked, consoled and visited the sick and those languishing in prison, received the wandering and needy with hospitality, he himself ministered to them, washed and buried the dead, received God Himself in His members.
[3] When therefore the Bishop of the Arvernian city migrated from the world, Genesius was sought for the Episcopate. Postulated to the Episcopate, For so the voice and opinion of the people came together in one, that all wished Genesius, and all asked Genesius, and all cried out Genesius worthy of the Episcopate, and shouted that no other could be made Bishop. At whose voices Genesius, as if conscious within himself, trembled, and prayed that this should not be done to him. The Bishops therefore being summoned, indicted a three-day fast to all the Clergy and people, and enjoined them to be solicitous about the ordination of the Bishop and to beseech God.
[4] The third day having passed, they consecrated Genesius Bishop of the Arvernian See, the same he most well administers: and the reluctant and unwilling, willing or unwilling, enthroned him, with congruent and concordant passages of the authentic Scriptures: and so with God's praises rejoicing they withdrew. Saint Genesius also, fearing and mourning as if of the honor imposed upon him, recalled the Lord Jesus, saying: My yoke is sweet, and my burden is light. Mt. 11, 30 For the more he felt himself weighed down by a greater burden, the more he was given to sobriety; this he revolved with himself fearing, That this man began to build, and could not finish. Lk. 14, 31 For he indeed dwelt presentially among men, but lived essentially with God; with Martha also busying himself in the external ministered, no less at the feet of the Lord Jesus with Mary sat, and from the Lord's mouth received the words of life.
[5] But afterwards in the fifth year administering the office of his Episcopate, but neither prevailing to sustain the frequencies and concourses of the peoples, and fearing shipwreck among the storms of this world, in the 5th year of his See setting out for Rome, and hesitating how he could turn the helm of the now rotten ship to the shore; he decreed to renounce the world; and set out for Rome under the habit of a pilgrim; where many miracles were done through him with God working, of which now I am not to narrate each. For many blind were illuminated, paralytics healed, lepers cleansed, those obsessed by the demon freed. He laid hands on no sick person, who was not at once restored to health. Very many also held in prisons, he becomes famous for many miracles. and bound with iron fetters, as soon as they invoked B. Genesius, and recalled his name, in a wondrous manner being released from chains, were also freed from the prisons. So great grace did the Lord confer on him, that he became the marvelous performer of very many miracles.
[6] But also the Arvernians, long grieving for their lost Pastor, Sought by the citizens and found, doubting whether he lived, whether he had now died, many of them decreed to set out for Rome, to receive counsel from the Apostolic [See] what they should do, or how they should have themselves. Finally coming to Rome, they recognized their Prelate, now long lost; and rolling at his feet, began to cry; Why have you deserted us, Father? or to whom Pastor have you committed the sheep handed over to you by the Lord? They rejoiced therefore and wept; and that he should not leave his flock desolated, they prayed attentively. They rejoiced indeed, because they saw him unharmed and whole: but they wept, because they had been so long without him. The blessed Genesius, moved by mercy, as he always abounded with the bowels of mercy and piety, persuading with such words briefly spoke; Brothers and sons, our Lord Jesus Christ exhorts us, as we read in the Gospel according to Luke, saying, He who shall not renounce all that he possesses, cannot be my disciple; but every one who shall leave house or father, and them having consoled, or wife, or sons, or fields for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall possess eternal life. Lk. 14, 33 Wherefore, Brothers, it is not expedient for you to be sad, because the Lord Jesus mindful of His promise has multiplied temporal goods to me though unworthy a hundredfold: of whose clemency and goodness I trust, that he will heap up eternal things eternally. Therefore it pleases to cry out and say, The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup, He it is who restores my inheritance to me. Rise, and prepare our journey: because, as I have seen in a vision, I have to visit the Arvernian See.
[7] Who rising hastily, and rejoicing about the company and return of their Prelate, prepared what was necessary for the journey; and with him, with them returns; Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; the Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our tribulation, they began to sing: and they added; Because He has not removed His mercy from us. And so on the next day shining forth, as if going on pilgrimage, with great frequency of the citizens he went out of the city, and so seized the journey. Finally coming to Auvergne, he stopped not far from the city, is gladly received, where afterwards he established a monastery of Virgins, whom he instituted to live regularly. The citizens therefore, hearing of the coming of their Bishop, and going to meet him with crosses and candles and all the apparatus of the church, sang Glory to God in the Highest; and added Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
[8] As he was approaching the city, some threw themselves down from the wall, he heals the sick, others rushed through the gates and posterns, and others crushed each other, desiring to see their long-desired Bishop.
Many also from villas, villages, and castles, hearing the fame and coming of B. Genesius, drew their sick, and laid them before him; he founds pious places, who in a moment by whatever infirmity they were held were freed, and were restored to their former health. He lived sparingly thereafter for forty years, in which he built churches, founded monasteries, and as long as he lived incessantly fulfilled God's will.
With the time of death pressing, and dead in the 40th year after return the throngs being called together to himself, and being strengthened in God's love by his exhortation, having bid farewell receiving viaticum, and raising his eyes and hands to heaven, he said; My Father, I give you thanks; because the sheep which you delivered to me, you yourself have kept, and none could snatch any of them from your hand. And saying these things, he breathed out his spirit. So great a fragrance of odor at once was there, that all who were present, hoped the whole house was filled with spices. he is buried in the church of S. Symphorianus. He was therefore buried in the suburb of the Arvernian city, in the church of B. Symphorianus, where through him many benefits are given to the sick: with our Lord Jesus Christ granting, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, through all ages of ages. Amen.