Saint Who?
Saints Who Are Patrons of Peoples and Places
Saint Genevieve
Virgin († c. 500) Feast: January 3
Genevieve was born around the year 422 in a small village near Paris. As a child of seven, she met the bishop Saint Germanus. He foretold a future of a great sanctity for Genevieve, affirming her desire to consecrate her life to God. He presented her with a special medal in token of that desire, telling her never to wear other ornaments.
At fifteen, Genevieve received the veil, though she does not seem to have entered a convent. After the death of her parents, she lived with her grandmother in Paris. She prayed and fasted intensely. Though many miracles surrounded her, she was accused of being a hypocrite and a fraud. Her enemies even wanted to drown her. Then Germanus sent her a gift of blessed bread. This gesture of approval from the saintly bishop turned the tide of opinion, and Genevieve became widely revered.
When Childeric, a pagan, conquered Paris, it was Genevieve who persuaded him to be merciful. She was also a trusted adviser to Clovis, who became the first Christian king of France. And when Attila the Hun marched towards her city, she urged her fellow citizens not to flee, but to join in prayer and sacrifice. Attila changed course. Genevieve is the patronness of Paris.
Merciful Father, may the faithful honor
and defend consecrated souls.
