Originally from Rome, Généreux became abbot of the monastery of Ansion in Poitou in the 6th century. Succeeding Léonégisile, he governed with prudence and discretion, notably overseeing the discipline of his monks such as Saint Paterne. He left his name to a church and a locality in Poitou where his body was interred.
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SAINT GÉNÉREUX OR GÉNÉROUX,
ABBOT OF SAINT-JOUIN DE MARNE, IN THE DIOCESE OF POITIERS
Origins and arrival in Poitou
Généreux, of Roman origin, left Italy for Poitou and joined the monastery of Ansion, founded by Saint Jouin, under the direction of Abbot Léonégisile.
6th century.
« Tune dignissime proclamatus abbas vocatur quando vita et doctrinae sunt nobilitas antecedit. »
A superior is worthily called abbot when he surpasses his inferiors in his knowledge and holiness.
Joan. Trith., in cap. II Reg. S. Bened.
Généreux, more com Généreux Abbot of the monastery of Ansion in the 6th century. monly called Généreux, was Roman by birth. It is unknown what motives caused him to abandon Italy. He perhaps l eft it Italie Country of origin of the saint. like so many others who, in an era of social renewal, left their country agitated by the incessant revolutions of the world, in order to find elsewhere a rest that their homeland did not enjoy. Be that as it may, after having traveled through a part of Poitou, he arrived at the m onaste Poitou Region of origin and veneration of the saint. ry of Ansion, in the vicinity of Thouar monastère d'Ansion Abbey located near Thouars, founded by Saint Jouin. s, which Saint Jouin had founded tow ards the en saint Jouin Founder of the monastery of Ansion in the 5th century. d of the 5th century. It was then the beginning of the 6th; the reputation of the holy dwelling still shone with the brilliance that the virtues and miracles of its founder had given it. Généreux did not need a long examination to appreciate what he had just found, and he resolved to end his search there. The first abbot was still governing, having succeeded Saint Jouin. It was Léonégisile, another foreigner whom the thirst for Léonégisile Second abbot of Ansion and direct predecessor of Generosus. evangelical perfection had once also attracted toward the places perfumed by the reputation of Saint Hilary. He opened the doors of the community to Généreux, and shortly thereafter, the latter took the religious habit there.
Election and government
After the death of Leonegisilus, Generosus was unanimously elected abbot for his virtues and his prudence in leading the monks.
Such vocations never fail to prove themselves soon through a faithful observance of the rule, through the love of obedience, through the practice of silence and habitual recollection, certain marks in a religious soul of that life of faith which leads it rapidly to its perfection. So many precious qualities developed in Generosus in the most edifying manner, so much so that Leonegisilus having died, he whose first steps in the monastic career he had guided was elected by unanimous consent to continue his work and guide in his turn these elite souls toward heaven. In this task, always difficult and very often very delicate, where superiors need to seek above all the spirit of God, the new abbot behaved from the first with a discretion and a prudence that never faltered; moderating with much reflection and maturity the natural ardor of his zeal, and applying himself not to exceed, in the conduct of his brothers, the limits assigned by the rule to the austerities of their penitent life.
Spiritual direction of Paternus and Scubilion
Generosus welcomes Saints Paternus and Scubilion, then intervenes with Paternus in Normandy to moderate his excessive mortifications.
Under his governance, the monastery was enriched by the virt ues of Saint saint Paterne First bishop of Vannes, consecrated by Perpetuus. Paternus and his blessed fr iend Scub Scubilion Companion of Saint Paternus at the monastery of Ansion. ilion, who came there to hide virtues of which the world was not worthy. But after some time of trial, they required a deeper solitude; and the two friends, taking advantage of the freedom allowed in those early centuries to any religious to change community according to the desire for greater perfection that inspired him, had retired, after barely three years of stay at Ansion, to the coasts of Normandy, where the holiness Normandie Region where a portion of the relics was transported after the Revolution. of their lives shone no less than in Poitou. They had been living there for a short time, and already, having separated to live in greater union with God, Paternus gave himself over to harsher austerities. His food consisted solely of a small daily portion of bread and water: it was barely that he sometimes added a few vegetables mixed with a little salt. For clothing, he had only a hairshirt that he wore night and day. Generosus learned of these excessive rigors, and his charity was moved by them: he feared that the Saint might carry the zeal of penance too far and thus lose strength that the service of the Church needed. He therefore left his brothers for a few days, headed toward the solitude inhabited by his disciple, and did not return to his own until after having made him promise that he would moderate the rigor of his mortifications by conforming them to the rule he had followed until then.
Death and architectural legacy
Généreux died in the 6th century; he left behind a church that became a priory, although his relics were scattered by wars.
Saint Généreux died full of good works, younger than his historians have hitherto believed, and long before the end of the 6th century.
A parish church, which later became a priory o f Saint-Jouin de Marne, had bee prieuré de Saint-Jouin de Marne Church built by Généreux, which became a priory. n built first by Saint Généreux at a short distance from the abbey. His body was carried there after his death by the disciples he had left behind. Like so many others, these venerated remains have disappeared, profaned and scattered by war or impiety. But God has preserved the monument which still bears, after thirteen centuries, the blessed name of its founder, and remains in the eyes of the Christian, who sees in it one of his titles of glory, the oldest witness of his religion in this religious part of Poitou.
Abbé Aubur, Vies des Saints de l'Église de Poitiers. — Cf. De Chargé, Vies des Saints du Poitou, and the Propre de Poitiers.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Departure from Italy for Poitou
- Entered the monastery of Ansion under Abbot Léonégisile
- Unanimous election as abbot upon the death of Leonegisilus
- Visit to Saint Paternus in Normandy to moderate his austerities
- Construction of a parish church near the abbey
Quotes
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Tune dignissime proclamatus abbas vocatur quando vita et doctrinae sunt nobilitas antecedit.
Joan. Trith., in cap. II Reg. S. Bened.