January 3 + Saint Genevieve

Genevieve was a courageous peasant girl who was born in 419 in Nanterre, France. When she was only 7-years-old, Saint 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 Bishop who singled her out and foretold her future sanctity.

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.

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 included miracles and spiritually inspired predictions. She frequently had visions of heavenly angels and saints.

When Attila and his army of Huns came upon Paris, the Parisian Christians were prepared to run, but Genevieve spoke to them and convinced them to stay within their homes, fast and pray to the Lord. She assured them they would have the protection of Heaven. Her prediction came true as Attila’s army went on to Orleans, 70 miles from Paris, and was defeated.

Genevieve died at the age 93 on January 3, 512. Shortly after she was buried, the people built a small church over her tomb, asking for the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul. Although her tomb remains there and can still be seen today, it is empty. Her relics were encased by Saint Eligius in a handmade gold and silver shrine around 630. Over the years, the Normans destroyed the church several times. Once it was rebuilt around 856, Genevieve's relics were returned and miracles began happening, making this church famous all throughout France.

Paris experienced proof of Genevieve's intercession on many occasions. The most famous occurrence was the miracle of Des Ardens, or the burning fever. In 1129, a violent fever swept through the city, and doctors couldn't stop the people from dying. The relics of Genevieve were carried in a procession to the cathedral, and during the ceremony, those who touched her relics were healed. Throughout the whole town, no one else became sick and all the ill recovered ending the epidemic.