(3RD CENT.)
[Commemorated on this day at Cahors, of which diocese he is
regarded as the Apostle and first Bishop. He is however mentioned
in several Martyrologies as Bishop of Bourges. It is probable that
he was a missionary Bishop without settled see. Called in the Roman
Martyrology, June 17th, Gundulph; same day and name the same in the
Bourges Breviary, that being the day of his translation, Jan. 17th,
of his death. His life was written by S. Sebastus, three years
after the death of S. Genulph, but this has not come down to us in
its original form. It has, however, doubtless formed the basis of a
life written about A.D. 910, published by Bollandus.]
Genitus and his wife, Aclia, were pious Christians at Rome, serving God
constantly, night and day, and happy in one another's love. But one
thing they lacked which grieved them sore, they had no child. Having
asked God to look upon them and give them a son, He heard their prayer,
and the wife of Genitus brought forth a man-child, and they called him
Genulph, or Gundulph. At the age of five, the parents gave him to S.
Sixtus, Bishop of Rome, to educate him in the knowledge and love of God.
On the breaking out of the Decian persecution, S. Sixtus ordained
Genulph bishop, bade him and his father go into Gaul, and preach the
Gospel there. S. Genulph ever wore a garment of camel's hair, "except
when he celebrated the Holy Mysteries, when he was arrayed in soft
linen, and such other shining vestments as pertain to so great a
mystery. But when the mystery was celebrated, he put on him again the
rough garb."[61] Having entered the territory of the Cadurci, now called
Cahors, he preached the word of God vehemently, and wrought many
miracles of healing. Then he and his father were denounced to the
Governor, and were beaten and scorched with fire, but remained constant
to the faith, witnessing a good profession, so that the Governor
marvelled, and questioned them about their faith, and so was brought to
a knowledge of the truth; and he released the confessors from prison,
and they preached boldly, and multitudes came and were baptized; so
mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. And afterwards he left
Cahors, and went north, till he came to the country of the Bituriges, or
Berry, and there he took up his residence in a haunted cell, which all
the people of the neighbourhood avoided, through fear. But Genulph
sprinkled it with holy water, and signed himself with the cross, and
boldly took up his residence therein, nor was he troubled by evil
spirits. Living in this cell, he laboured diligently with his hands,
cultivating the soil, and keeping very many cocks and hens. The fame of
his sanctity drew others to him, and he became the head of a community.
Also many sick came there to be nursed, and the peasants to be
instructed. Then Genulph fed them with the eggs, and with the hens,
which he killed and roasted. One day a fox came, and carried off a hen.
Hearing the noise in the poultry yard, Genulph ran out, and saw the fox
stealing away with his prey. Then he cried, "Reynard! that hen is not
thine. Wherefore dost thou rob the poor brothers, who have not injured
thee?" And the fox let go the hen unhurt.
When he was dying, he exhorted the brethren to wrap him in sack-cloth and
bury him outside the church, "for it seemed to him unfitting that the
prey of worms and corruption should be placed within the holy
tabernacle."