Genius the Confessor and Thirty Soldiers Thirty Martyrs

ON ST. GENIUS THE CONFESSOR AND THIRTY SOLDIERS THIRTY MARTYRS

AT LECTOURE IN AQUITANIAN VASCONIA.

Genius or Hyginius, Martyr at Lectoure, in Aquitanian Vasconia (St.)

XXX soldiers, Martyrs at Lectoure, in Aquitanian Vasconia (SS.) BHL Number: 3333

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Lactora or Lactorium, in others Lectora or Lectorium, an ancient Episcopal city of Aquitanian Vasconia, among the Patrons of its Church venerates S. Genius the Confessor: of whom Ferrari makes mention in the General Catalogue, on the third day of May, in these words: In the Lectorensian city of S. Genius the Confessor. He asserts in the Notes that he received notice of him, from R. P. Odo Gesseius of the Society of Jesus, a learned man and accurate in investigating the memories of the Saints. He adds that he lived in the times of Diocletian and Maximian the Emperors, and led many from the cult of idols to the faith of Christ: that he is treated in the Breviary or Office of the Lectoran Church; Acts from the collection of Bernard Gui, that a temple was dedicated to him at the foot of the city, and that Bernard Bishop of Lodève made mention of him. Thus Ferrari. But the Sanctorale of Bernard Gui Bishop of Lodève our Father Philip Labbe had transcribed, from the Most Reverend and Most Illustrious François Bosquet Bishop of Montpellier, from which he published the Life of S. Genius in volume 2 of the New Library of manuscript books, in the Collection of Aquitanian things page 564 and following. The title is prefixed of this kind: Passing of S. Genius or Hyginius Confessor of Christ, whose body rests in the city of Lectora. In the same way by Arnaldus Oihenartus in the Notitia of Vasconia, and by the Sammarthani in the Bishops of Lactora is called S. Genius or Hyginius.

[2] The author is undoubtedly ancient: but that he was contemporary with the Saint himself the style does not persuade, written by an ancient author. luxuriating in explaining the words of prayers poured out to God, and exhibiting nothing of particular circumstances of place, time, persons, such as eye-witness and contemporary witnesses, even when they least intend to, are wont to sprinkle on their writings; in external and visible actions more diffuse, sparer elsewhere, contrary to what is done here. Furthermore when he had said that the name of the place, in which the thirty soldiers were killed, is called the Blood-of-the-innocents; he adds, even to this present day, which is a phrase of those writing after a notable interval of years or even centuries. What therefore, he says, on the very threshold, yet not contemporary. does he ask faith from the reader, because what we have seen with our eyes, with ears we have heard, we have written deeds for you? I believe, as elsewhere often noted is found, and namely in S. Cassian of Forum-Cornelii, on August XIII and S. Mercurialis of Forum-Livii on April XXX, that the Life of the Saint and miracles wrought after his death were expressed in ancient pictures, in that church in which the body was then preserved, which the author saw with his own eyes; but with his ears he heard from the Elders the meaning of the same according to the tradition of his ancestors; and so he composed the present narration, for the small and confused notice that could only then be had.

[3] In these Acts the passing of S. Genius is annotated on the fifth day of the Nones of April: Compendium from Saussay, on which day Saussay in the Supplement to the Gallican Martyrology adorns him with this eulogy: In Vasconia at the city of Lectora the passing of S. Genius the Confessor, who illustrious in nobility of birth, grace of preaching, and great virtues, with unbroken mind detesting the cult of false deities, when he was testifying with clear voice that the faith of Christ is necessary for salvation, with Asclepiades the Gentile Proconsul acting, under Maximus the tyrant, with many of the faithful people sent ahead to the crown of martyrdom, armed with the shield of faith, with Gentiles pursuing he withdrew into a cave: and there placed in prayer, worn with old age and labors, with eyes intent on heaven he saw the crowns, which were prepared for him and his companions, gleaming with diverse pearls, and a multitude of those clothed in white singing around them; Let them be reckoned in the number of the just, and let them be written in the book of the living, who have conquered the ancient serpent; bending his knees and pouring himself out into pious affections, an unstained spirit to the rewards which he beheld the veteran soldier sent. Whose body placed at the foot of the mountain near the same city shone with many miracles: and a basilica was at length erected there, in which with frequent concourse of devout people his memory is celebrated, and he himself is venerated as the special Apostle and Patron of the Lectorans. Thus Saussay.

[4] There is a noble monastery in the territory of Cahors, sufficiently neighboring to Vasconia, called Moissac, in whose church on account of the solemnity of the Discovery of the holy Cross the feast of S. Genius was customarily celebrated on the following day, another from the Breviary of Moissac namely the fourth of May, and at matins to be recited a compendium of his Life, which we prefix to the other Acts of this kind. Genius noble in family, chaste in body, intent on divine matters, deserved to hear heavenly conversation. For before he was conceived, B. Celsus the Presbyter is certain to have been solicited by triple admonition in dreams, that his most blessed mother Clara was about to conceive a male, who would profit many faithful. Therefore under the inhuman tyrant Maximus Proconsuls were sent into Gaul, to persecute the Christians, who coming to the city of Auch, having found that through B. Genius many ceased from the cult of idols; then therefore the tyrants, sent thirty soldiers to seize him on the mountain near his lodging, in the suburb of the city of Lactora, in which day and night he was insisting on prayer. Hearing which B. Genius, prayer being made, the place itself trembled, he himself strengthened by a voice from heaven: but the river thence passing at their coming so impetuously increased, that no malicious man could make passage through it. Who when they had found this miraculously done, on the third day they roll forward at the feet of B. Genius, asking pardon. So with prayer made, they themselves instructed in the faith of Christ, B. Genius had the soldiers baptized by Celsus the Presbyter. But the soldiers when they had returned to the Prefect, having found that they had been made Christians, and would not adore idols, were beheaded outside the gate of the city: and the name of that place is called Cruor-Innocentium Blood-of-the-Innocents. But the Prefect sent many other soldiers: which B. Genius foreseeing prayed the Lord, and saw the crowns, which were prepared for him and his companions: and immediately when he had bent his knees he gave up the Spirit. But the body of B. Genius was honorably buried by the Christians there, near the foot of the mountain, in the basilica which he himself constructed, where also he had buried his mother. But the soldiers of the same tyrant were not worthy to see him, but confused returned to the Prefect. On the same day two blind men of ten years were illuminated, and others were cured of various infirmities. May this Saint be such, that he may sit with the Lord to judge: may he be such, that he may stand at the right for judging.

[5] So far that Compendium, in which Maximus the tyrant is called, above from the observation of Odo Gesseius Maximianus, under which Emperors these Acts. where Diocletian is added, in the Life Jovinianus. In the Acts of S. Clement Bishop of Ancyra on January XXIII there was a certain Maximus Duke or Prefect of Maximian the Emperor. Yet that similar Dukes and Prefects, Maximus and Jovinianus, were written in place of Maximian and Diocletian, who from bare conjecture would say, especially because other Proconsuls were sent, to urge this execution. These resided in the city of Auch or Auxium, the metropolis of Vasconia, under whose Archbishop is even now the Bishop of Lactora. Who in these Acts are inserted thirty soldiers converted to Christ, baptized and crowned with martyrdom, because they have no other day indicated, are joined to S. Genius in the title. 30 Soldier Martyrs About B. Clara mother of S. Genius, that she had any cult in the church no one with foundation has said: nor even of B. Celsus the Presbyter unless perhaps this is that Confessor, whose head with many signs given by the Lord

made famous, is held at Limoges in the Cathedral church of S. Stephen, perhaps brought from Vasconia, and on August VII is shown to the people with great veneration, writes Saussay in the Supplement.

LIFE

By an ancient author.

From the collection of Bernard Gui, Bishop of Lodève.

Genius or Hyginius, Martyr at Lectoure, in Aquitanian Vasconia (St.)

XXX soldiers, Martyrs at Lectoure, in Aquitanian Vasconia (SS.) BHL Number: 3332

BY AN ANCIENT AUTHOR

[1] I beseech you all, who are about to hear or read this, that your heart be barred, having no blasphemy, no offense against me, because I strive to write the Life of the most blessed Genius: because what we have seen with our eyes, with ears we have heard, we have written deeds for you. Whence we believe we may merit some blessedness. But greater glory awaits you, who hear and believe the Lord to fulfill in his Saints, what you here written recognize.

[2] But this B. Genius from a noble family and from illustrious parents was begotten, S. Genius in boyhood was of holy morals; and with all his intent as a boy he was busy, how he might be able to attain to the Christian religion. He concealed his purpose, he concealed also his holy desire: and so from the age of youth he showed himself chaste to the Lord, that he reckoned the wisdom of this world as foolishness. There flourished enclosed in his bowels perfect charity, and never could the enemy stir up any war against him: because he himself for the kingdom of heavens not only evidently sequestered himself from the more lavish or sumptuous dishes; but also he himself in his heart was doing nothing else but the prayer of holiness. Therefore true piety and benignity, hope, faith, and charity resounded in him in psalms, hymns, and canticles. For so much did his prayer prevail that he deserved to hear heavenly conversation. also before his birth such a one was foretold. Even before he was conceived, B. Celsus the presbyter is certain to have been solicited in dreams by triple admonition, that his most blessed mother Clara was about to conceive a male; and that a great congregation of the faithful through him would proceed to the kingdoms of the heavens.

[3] But when he was now in early age, most full of sanctity, under Maximus the tyrant and Jovinianus, before the palace of Arimianus and Asclepiades, in those times their Proconsuls were sent to the regions of the Gauls, that whatever Christians they could find, some they should kill, others exhibit to the sights. But coming to Auch the city, and hearing the report of S. Genius, that he was relieving many from the cult of idols to the grace of the holy Spirit, they sent soldiers to the number of about thirty, who would present him to their insolence. Hearing this B. Genius certain and secure of the Lord's promise, proceeds to the mountain, where he was wont to pour out prayer. For this was a place near his lodging in the suburb of the city of Lactora, in which day and night vigilant in prayer he asked of the Lord, lest the enemy in any way should prevail to change his mind, praying and saying: Lord God, my hope and Master and consoler, who taught me to pray, behold I pray you. For you are with me unto the end. You are who from my infancy sowed life in me, and have kept me from corruption. You are who led me out of the poverty of this world, and willed me to come to your riches. Wherefore Lord Jesus Christ, may your consolation assist me, lest ever my enemies insult me, who seek my soul to absorb like water; for my mind is least able to praise you for so great a zeal, which you exercised in me, unless you fill me with your riches, and free me from all anxiety of avarice, and snatch the souls of your servant from the hands of my enemies. Behold therefore I will perfect your work, and I will keep your precepts. Therefore let not my prayer be sterile, and let the devil not snatch the seed of wheat from me, your best earth, in which neither thorns nor tares should ever appear. And when he had poured out the prayer, suddenly that place trembled, strengthened by a heavenly voice: and a voice from the clouds of heaven spoke to him saying: Well, well, good and faithful servant, because you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many: act manfully and let your heart be strengthened: for you shall enter into joy with those, who are not defiled with women: for many vessels of love through you will be dedicated to me. And when he had said this, he rejoiced with great joy, and filled with the holy Spirit, he rose from prayer, arming his forehead with the sign of faith and confirming his breast.

[4] Therefore the soldiers seeing him from afar coming about fifteen stadia, 30 soldiers about to seize him, immediately the river, which flows past that place, as has been said as if incredible, with the impetus of unspeakable waves erupted upward, so that no one could make passage through it. But the soldiers seeing, hindered by the inundation of the river, that by God's command that channel itself was inundated, fear and trembling invaded them as if to death, and they prostrated their faces before the Lord of the heavens certainly, and said: O great mystery which we have seen! Truly great is the God of the Christians. If their God were as our God, in whom we wicked ones as worthy revere stones and woods, deaf and mute, made by the hand of men, never would he do such things. Let us therefore abandon all these things and adore the living Lord, inclined to the faith, who made heaven and earth, the sea and all things which are in them: because truly great is the God of the Christians, who so protects those hoping in him, and does not abandon all his own, but in straits and pressures gives present aid. They stood however in the same place for about two days: then on the third day, full of joy and kindled by the spirit of truth, they come to B. Genius, prostrate on the earth before his feet, And as they kissed his feet, they were beseeching him saying: Blessed be your God, and bless us with your blessing, Father and author of God's name. And know that the most impious Prefect sent us to persecute you: but by divine command we have known that great is your God. they ask of S. Genius to be instructed, We pray therefore Lord, that you deign to have mercy on us, that we may merit to be your imitators, and may be made your followers.

[5] Immediately B. Genius bending his knees, and with eyes lifted upward to heaven said: Lord Jesus Christ, I give thanks to you, because you have deigned to show your wonders to your servants, whom you have acquired for yourself, and therefore Lord let them be made clean vessels, in which your holy Spirit may dwell: and grant them Lord, that what they ask in your name they may merit quickly to obtain. Still also and many other things which follow he was saying to those who were with him: instructed Believe in the living God, whom I preach: believe in Jesus Christ whom I announce: believe in the Saviour who has stood as helper of his servants: believe in the Redeemer, who returns reward to those laboring: believe those who love him. He himself is my cultivation and the flower of my soul, since the time is near that I should receive him. For since he is most beautiful and a comely Lord, he procures that we always learn something of him: who however what kind he is we cannot grasp, nor can a man narrate: but he himself is the illumination of my obscurity, the completion of my diminutions, and the nourisher of my indigence, and is with me until I descend to him, and embrace him. And when he had prayed and instructed those who were asserting that they believed in Christ; he came together with them to the gate of the city, they are baptized. and they went to the venerable Presbyter, by name Celsus, prostrate at his feet and asking that he should administer the grace of baptism to them. But he catechized them, and baptized them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: and they stayed with him about ten days.

[6] But after these days returning to the Prefect, whose heart was blinded by malice, and he himself hoping that they would announce joy to him, when they had come to him, he said to them: Why have you delayed? before the Prefect having professed the faith, Have you received gold and silver; or have any sorceries prevailed against you? To whom they said: Brighter than gold or silver is the grace of Christ. For we have known that every kind of men, which stands in such error, in which you have hitherto remained, will be smitten with perpetual damnation. Then groaning the Prefect said: Therefore the most invincible Princes, through whom the world flourishes, are damned? And one of the little ones said: Not through them does the world flourish, but grows dark. Shaking his head the Prefect said: I grieve over you, little boys. They say: It is not necessary to grieve over us, but over you much should be grieved, if you do not believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ. But he said to them: By the safety and ceremonies of the gods, either you shall sacrifice to the immortal gods according to the decrees of the Princes, or I order you to be punished. But they said: As one cannot move a serpent, who knows not the charms, so neither can you in any way separate us from the love of Christ. At that hour he ordered them to be beheaded outside the gate of the city: martyrs perish by the sword: and the name of that place is called Cruor-Innocentum, even to this present day. But there was a multitude of Christians in that place, who redeeming the bodies from the executioners buried them. But blessed Genius on the day on which this happened, solemnly celebrated their Passion.

[7] Again the Prefect sent many other soldiers, who would kill S. Genius with various torments. But he, whose spirit nothing escaped, S. Genius knowing other soldiers were sent to him, foreseeing proceeds to the mountain, where he constantly poured out prayer, and prostrated his knees before the Lord and said: Lord, let all rejoice and feast who hope in you, whom you have acquired. I ask that my eyes look to you, and my heart exult in your salvation, since I have wished and fulfilled your will, and have wholly kept your precepts: look on your servant fearing you, he prays God, lest my zeal perish which you have hitherto worked in me. I ask again, O Lord, that those whom for your name I have handed to passion, before the seat of your Majesty I may merit to see them, and there give them their reward. I beseech also, Lord, look on your boy according to your great mercy, and receive the soul of your servant in peace. And when he had poured out the prayer, with intent eyes he looked toward heaven: and arming his forehead with the shield of faith, he saw the crowns, which were prepared for him and his companions, gleaming with diverse pearls, and a multitude of those clothed in white about them heralding and saying: Let them be reckoned in the number of the just and let them be written in the book of the living, who have conquered the ancient serpent, he dies May 3. and who are not defiled with women. And immediately when he bent his knees he gave up the spirit:

and his passing was carried out on the fifth of the Nones of May.

[8] But his body was venerable then on the mountain to all, but near the foot of the mountain is the basilica, which he himself constructed: and there a tomb according to the standard measure was established by the Bishop of his city, he is buried Heuterus by name, with whom both Priests and the other ministers, and a multitude of Christians devoutly buried him. But the soldiers of that tyrant were not worthy to see him, but blushing and confused they returned when he himself was buried. with sweet odor: But so great a sweet odor there fragrant from his body, such as neither before nor after will be future. But on that day two blind men, who had been blind for ten years, 2 blind men and others healed: received light there, and many detained by various languors were made healthy. After a small space of time however, famine arose in the whole region of the Gauls: and behold certain poor little widows, going out the gate of the city, seeking whatever herbs they could find, had lodging in the basilica of S. Genius. In which on a certain night a great light and odor of lilies and roses surrounded that basilica. But when they had come to light, they found near the tomb of S. Genius two loaves of wonderful size, loaves bestowed on the widows. and immediately they went and took them up. O how great and what kind he was in his life, that he satiated many hungry with his goods! For even birds of the sky, while he was living, some came to be satiated at his hand, some satiated were departing. Finally the inhabitants of that place ought happily to venerate his patronage there, because flourishing with much virtue for the example of believers he merited to have so much honor with the Lord, that from that day the Lord filled that region with all good fruits even to this present day, to whom is honor and glory in ages of ages, Amen.

* al. Maximianus and Diocletian.

* al. Auscium.