Born into a noble family of Auvergne, Saint Genêt was an archdeacon and later Bishop of Clermont in the 7th century. He was distinguished by his charity toward the poor, the formation of Saint Prix, and his struggle against heresies. He founded the monastery of Manlieu and died around 662.
Guided reading
4 reading sections
SAINT GENÈT, BISHOP OF CLERMONT
Youth and ecclesiastical vocation
Born into an illustrious family of Auvergne, Genêt distinguished himself by his piety and erudition before renouncing the world to become archdeacon in Clermont.
Quantum Deus diligitur, tantum diabolus, caro et mundus contemnuntur.
The more one loves God, the more one despises the devil, the flesh, and the world. Saint Bonaventure.
This holy prelate is one of the most famous to hav e governed the prov province d'Auvergne Region of the martyrdom of Saint Antolian. ince of Auvergne; he was born there into an ancient family, which nobility, wealth, and high offices had long rendered very illustrious. His youth had been a model of innocence and piety, and, having joined the study of letters to the exercises of devotion, he had become an excellent man worthy of the most considerable offices of the Church. He despised the world to embrace the ecclesiastical state: which was a great subject of joy for all the clergy of Clermont, who f elt extr Clermont Episcopal see of Saint Gal. emely honored to have him as one of their members. His great qualities soon led him to the office of archdeacon; but if this office raised him above the other
clerics, it also served him as a new spur to make himself perfect in all virtues. He was extremely austere and treated his body as an enemy, in order to prevent it from rebelling against his spirit. He had inexhaustible charity, and whatever goods he had, he employed in clothing the naked, feeding the poor, receiving pilgrims, relieving the sick, and delivering prisoners. His religion toward God surpassed even his piety toward his neighbor. He performed the ecclesiastical functions with such respect and devotion that it was easy to see that he was full of a high idea and a sovereign love for that Majesty which can be neither sufficiently esteemed nor sufficiently loved.
Mentorship of Saint Prix and Episcopal Election
Spiritual master of Saint Prix, Genêt was elected Bishop of Clermont by popular and divine acclamation after the death of Progole, despite his own reluctance.
God, who uses Saints to form other Saints, inspired the parents of Saint Prix, while he was still a child, to place him under the guidance of this holy archdeacon. Genê Genêt Bishop of Clermont in the 7th century, mentor of Saint Prix. t, who recognized what a great treasure had been entrusted to him, took extraordinary care of him, and early on cast into his soul the seeds of that eminent holiness which later made him one of the greatest bishops of France; so that, just as the church of Tours is indebted to Saint Hilary of Poitiers for its incomparable Saint Martin, so the church of Clermont is indebted to Saint Genêt for its admirable Saint Prix. But the master preceded the disciple in this dignity: for Bish op Progole havin l'évêque Progole Predecessor of Saint Genesius on the see of Clermont. g died, there was no one, neither among the clergy nor the people, who did not cast their eyes upon Genêt to place him in the stead of the deceased. He was the only one who opposed this promotion: he represented to the electors and the neighboring bishops who had assembled to consecrate him, "that he was not at all capable of such a great office: he feared that it would be for him an occasion for many faults and a matter of damnation. He begged them to choose someone else who had stronger shoulders to bear such a formidable burden." The bishops, to satisfy him, ordered prayers and a three-day fast, so that God might make known by some sign if the election of Genêt came from Him and if it was pleasing to Him. This prayer was answered; heaven spoke. Our Saint, therefore, being unable to resist any longer, received episcopal consecration and applied himself to the care of his Church.
Struggle against heresies and foundations
As bishop, he eradicated the heresies of Jovinian and Novatian in Auvergne and founded the monastery of Manlieu as well as the church of Saint-Symphorien.
As the first care of a good bishop is to uproot from his field everything contrary to the faith and good morals, he worked with apostolic vigor to banish from all of Auvergne the heresies of Jovini an and Novatian, whi hérésies de Jovinien Heresiarch condemned by Ambrose. ch had spread t Novatien Antipope and author of a rigorist schism. here; and he had the satisfaction of seeing them entirely destroyed before his death. He also waged an implacable war against all kinds of vices and spared nothing to make chastity, mercy, devotion to God, and all other evangelical virtues flourish among his people. He knew that example is more powerful than words, and that monasteries filled with holy religious are like perpetual models where contempt for the world and true piety shine brightly. He founded a very considerable one in Auvergne: that of Manlieu, of the Order of Saint Benedict. He also had a hospital for the poor built i Manlieu Benedictine monastery founded by Saint Genès in Auvergne. n Clerm ont and a church in h Ordre de Saint-Benoît Religious order occupying the monastery of Honnecourt. onor of Saint Symphorien, that illustrious martyr of Autun.
Death and hagiographic distinction
Died around 662, he is buried in Clermont. The text specifies not to confuse him with his namesake, the Count of Auvergne.
Finally, after having long governed the diocese of Clermont with truly edifying holiness, he died, full of days and merits, on June 3, around the year 662. He was buried with great honor in that church of Saint-Symphorien of which we have just spoken, and which has, since then, taken his name, and is called the church of Saint-Genêt.
He was succeeded by a holy personage named Felix, who made Saint Prix superior of the monastery of Chantoin. Saint Genêt, whose life we have just given, must not be confused with Saint Genêt, Count o f Auvergne, who lived at the saint Genêt, comte d'Auvergne Contemporary of Bishop Genesius, often confused with him. same time. It was the latter who was elected bishop of Clermont after Felix; although a layman, he nevertheless had such great merits that everyone judged him worthy to be a shepherd of the flock of Jesus Christ; but his humility, which was the foundation of his other virtues, caused him to constantly refuse this honor, and to have Saint Prix elected in his place. His memory is solemnized on the 25th of this month.
The martyrology of du Sau ssay menti du Saussay Hagiographer and author of the Martyrologe de France. ons these two Saint Genêts on the day of their feast, and it is from there that we have drawn what we have said about them here.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Auvergne into an illustrious family
- Appointment as Archdeacon of Clermont
- Education of Saint Prix
- Election to the episcopate after the death of Proculus
- Struggle against the heresies of Jovinian and Novatian
- Foundation of the monastery of Manlieu
- Construction of a hospital and the church of Saint-Symphorien
Miracles
- Celestial sign confirming his election after three days of fasting and prayer
Quotes
-
Quantum Deus diligitur, tantum diabolus, caro et mundus contemnuntur.
Saint Bonaventure (as an epigraph to the text)