ST. GENESIUS

LIFE

• Lived in Rome in the 3rd century
• Acted in plays mocking Christians
• Emperor Diocletian was in power

LIFE CONT.

• Was acting in/writing a play mocking Christians
• Conducted "research" by infiltrating Christian communities

CONVERSION/MARTYRDOM

• Wrote & acted in mock baptism scene
• Experienced flash baptism
• Began announcing the faith on stage
• Was tortured to worship pagan gods
• Remained strong, and was beheaded

QUOTE BY ST. GENESIUS
The following quote is what St. Genesius is believed to have said immediately following his "baptism" on stage in front of Emperor Diacletian

"I Came here today to please an earthly Emperor but what I have done is to please a heavenly King. I came here to give you laughter, but what I have done is to give joy to God and his angels. From this moment on, believe me, I will never mock these great mysteries again. I now know that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God, the Light, the Truth and the Mercy of all who have received his gift of baptism. O great Emperor, believe in these mysteries! I will teach you, and you will know the Lord Jesus Christ is the true God."

"FUN FACTS"

• Baptism of blood (fellow actors had no intention to baptize)
• Fellow actors were pardoned
• Was in catechumenate when he was ready to write the play
• Had trouble resisting Christ before the show
• Wrote mocking play to impress Diocletian
• Feast day on August 25th
• Played sick man seeking baptism
• Sometimes doubted that he even existed

"FUN FACTS" CONT.

• Encouraged Diocletian to join the faith
• Tomb beatified by Pope Gregory III in 741
• Sometimes doubted that he even existed

WHY CHOOSE SAINTS' NAMES?

• To have a model
• To have someone to pay for us from Heaven
• To have an aspiration

WHY I CHOSE ST. GENESIUS

• I chose him because of my participation in the performing arts, and because he died for something he previously mocked/did not understand

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