St. Genevieve

St. Genevieve was a fair and courageous peasant girl who was born around 422 in Nanterre, France, to a man named Severus and a woman named Gerontia. When Genevieve was only seven-years-old, St. Germanus, Bishop of Auxerre visited Nanterre on his way to Britain. While he was there, many people flocked to receive his blessing. The young Genevieve stood amid a crowd which had gathered around the man of God who singled her out and foretold her future sanctity.

At her request, the holy Bishop led her to a church, accompanied by all the faithful, and consecrated her to God as a virgin. The next day, Germanus asked Genevieve if she had remembered the promise she made to God. She did and proclaimed she would always fulfill it faithfully. He presented her with a cross engraved brass medal to always wear around her neck, as a reminder of the consecration she made of herself to God. He ordered her to never wear any other bracelets, necklaces or jewelry, to avoid falling into vanity.

Encouraged by Germanus, Genevieve dedicated her life to prayer, practices of devotion and acts of penance. When she was only 15-years-old, she met with the Bishop of Paris and asked to become a nun. From this moment, she also began praying continuously and fasting, eating only twice a week, as a sign of her complete dedication to the Lord.

Following the death of her parents, Genevieve went on to live with her grandmother in Paris and traveled, sharing the faith, performing acts of charity, praying for the sick and prophesying. Her dedicated Christian way of life was filled with the signs of the Holy Spirit working through her. The signs of the working of the Holy Spirit accompanying this holy young woman included miracles and spiritually inspired predictions. She frequently had visions of heavenly angels and saints.

However, when she shared those visions and experiences of the Lord, people began to turn against her. They called her a hypocrite and accused her of being a false visionary. In fact, they were determined to drown her in a lake of fire. However, the Bishop Germanus intervened and silenced those who were accusing her of false statements, and persecuting her. Genevieve was appointed by the Bishop to look after the welfare of the consecrated virgins. She did so faithfully and helped to lead them into a greater degree of holiness as they grew closer to the Lord Jesus.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Genevieve is celebrated on January 3rd, commemorating the day of her death in 512. St. Genevieve lived to the remarkable age of 89, dedicating her entire life to prayer, fasting, and service to the people of Paris. Her feast day falls during the Christmas season, making it a fitting time to reflect on her role as a protector and intercessor for the city she loved so dearly.

Traditions and Customs

On this day, the Church honors St. Genevieve's remarkable courage and her role as the patron saint of Paris. Her feast day serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and fasting, and the importance of trusting in God's protection. Many parishes in France, especially in Paris, celebrate this day with special Masses and processions. The day also emphasizes the importance of consecrated virginity and the special role of women in the Church's mission of prayer and intercession.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray to St. Genevieve for her intercession in matters of protection from disasters, for the city of Paris, and for young girls seeking to live a life of consecrated virginity. Many people also pray for the grace to trust in God's protection during times of danger and uncertainty. Her example encourages us to be courageous in our faith, to dedicate ourselves to prayer and fasting, and to trust in God's miraculous intervention in our lives.