St. Genesius, patron saint of actors

One of the first images I looked for when beginning this blog was for a picture of St. Genesius, patron saint of actors. There is supposedly a shrine to St. Genesius at St. Malachy's in Manhattan, venerated by many in the acting community, which I now intend to check out.

The legend goes that St. Genesius was a comedian acting in an anti-Christian satire. His character was supposedly sick, lying on the floor. When asked as to what ailed him, he replied that a great weight was pressing on him which he needed to be removed. When asked what was to be done to help him, he requested a "baptism." Thereupon two other actors then entered representing a priest and an exorcist. Genesius spoke his lines to them, explaining that he saw a vision of angels bearing a great book with all his sins inside. The "priest" then asked, "My child, why did you send for me?"

At this point supposedly Genesius looked up and actually saw real angels, and requested a real baptism for himself onstage. Diocletian was enraged. St. Genesius was tortured but wouldn't renounce his new faith, and was subsequently beheaded.

Would that we all be given that gift of faith.

Comments

Unknown said…
Today, Aug. 25, is the feast of Saint Genesius, and tonight at St. Malachy's - The Actors' Chapel on 49th & Broadway in New York City, we are holding our annual "Blessing of the Artists" service. Join us if you can! 7:00 pm.

Fr. Dave Dwyer, CSP
August 25, 2008 at 11:04 AM
A Homeschooling Thespian said…
Fr. Dave,

I am sorry that I am reading your comment so late in the evening! It sounded wonderful! Perhaps if you're doing something similar another time you can give me some notice in advance? I'd love to come!
August 25, 2008 at 10:22 PM
C&M said…
Thank you for this account. We were asked yesterday "Who is the Patron Saint of actors?" and we didn't know.

The young man asking is a care worker in a local seniors' nursing home and they're doing a Christmas play this afternoon. I guess he was feeling they"re needing all the help they can get.

Happy Christmas to all who enrich our lives with their assorted gifts.

Catherine & Mary
December 21, 2008 at 3:22 AM
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