Today is the one and only weekend vote of Lent Madness 2018. Every other matchup will take place on the weekdays of Lent. And it’s an intriguing pairing! We get Genesius, a saintly cut-up (he was a comedian and, more literally, had his head chopped off) facing off against Quiteria, a nonuplet Christian warrior and martyr. Which saint will be “re-martyred?” Well, that’s up to you.
Yesterday, in a rout of Biblical (see what we did there?) proportions, Margaret of Scotland destroyed Charles I 89% to 11% and will face the winner of Mary of Egypt vs. Richard Hooker. Speaking of future rounds, if you’re interested in seeing when your favorite saint will be doing battle, check out our Matchup Calendar. Better yet, print it out and tape it to your bathroom mirror.
Lent Madness will continue first thing Monday morning as we dip into the Mostly Modern quadrant of the bracket for the first time with Anna Alexander taking on Peter Claver.
Genesius
A comedian, Genesius led a theatrical troupe in Rome in the third century. Desperate to advance his career, he decided to write and star in a play for the Emperor Diocletian.
As he contemplated the subject matter, Genesius decided to mock the mysteries of the Christian faith and expose the ridiculousness of the sacraments. Of course, he needed some inside knowledge on the subject matter, so Genesius studied for the role by lying to members of a Christian community, telling them that he wanted to prepare for baptism.
The community welcomed Genesius into the catechumenate. While he learned the teaching, more details for the play came to him. He would act like a man on his deathbed, calling out for baptism.
He wrote the play and began the performance before the emperor. In the middle of a scene, Genesius depicted a dying man calling out for his faux sacrament. An actor arrived in clerical garb and baptized Genesius. Somehow, the ridicule ended there. Genesius was overcome with the grace of God, and what began as a farce became a real act of faith. Genesius was transformed, and while he was still on the stage, he urged the emperor to convert to Christianity.
Diocletian did not have the same change of heart. Instead, he became enraged and demanded that Genesius be tortured until he recanted. Genesius suffered greatly, but he never denied his faith. So Diocletian had him beheaded.
Genesius is the patron saint to the comic, the actor, and the tortured.
Collect for Genesius
God of laughter and suffering, we pray that through all of our art, we might reflect the goodness of your grace. May our lives be transformed through creative work, as we serve in the likeness and the image of our Creator; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Quiteria
Quite often, little is known about the saints beyond their existence and stories that have arisen among Christians to honor them over centuries. At first glance, many overlook Quiteria, in part perhaps because little is known beyond her naming in the Roman Martyrology as a saint and martyr.
But in southern France and northern Spain, churches remember Quiteria as a virgin and martyr. The most compelling legend of Quiteria, however, is Portuguese. Quiteria was a nonuplet—one of nine sisters born at the same time. Her mother, wife of the Roman governor, contemptuously likened her daughters to a litter and worried that she might be compared to a common animal for giving birth to so many children at once. In her vanity, she ordered her children drowned in a river by their nurse. Unwilling to kill the children, the nurse took the nonuplets to her own village and raised them away from their mother and father. It was in this village that Quiteria and her sisters were raised as devout Christians.
As they matured, the sisters’ faith compelled them to form a sort of gang–-one that went around freeing Christians from prisons in the area. Ultimately, Quiteria and her sisters were caught and commanded to worship a Roman god. Refusing, they were hauled before the Roman governor— their father—who immediately recognized the women as his daughters. He begged them to marry Roman pagans. The sisters refused and were thrown in prison.
As a rule, nonuplet warrior gangs don’t take imprisonment lightly. Resourcefully, they broke out of jail, freeing fellow prisoners with them. Upon gaining their freedom, rather than retreating into the woods, Quiteria and her sisters engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Roman Empire. Their campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, and Quiteria was captured, beheaded, and thrown into the ocean, while her sisters escaped. Legend holds that when guards were sent to capture her sisters, Quiteria emerged from the ocean, holding her own head and warding off the Roman guards from their pursuit. Two of her sisters, Marina and Liberata, were also martyred and ultimately canonized.
Collect for Quiteria
Almighty God, by whose grace and power your holy martyr Quiteria triumphed over suffering and was faithful even to death: Grant us, who now remember her in thanksgiving, to be so faithful in our witness to you in this world, that we may receive with her the crown of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Genesius vs. Quiteria
- Quiteria (54%, 4,002 Votes)
- Genesius (46%, 3,461 Votes)
Total Voters: 7,463
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This one was hard, although I had to go with the feisty girls.
In this day and age it’s the comedians who are speaking truth to power. They need a patron saint. My vote is for Genesis.
I agree. Genesius it is for me, especially as my son was in theatre in high school and my nephew was in theatre tech. Besides, it’s Saturday, and we need a comedian for “Saturday Night Dead.”
Drama mama! 2 girls 6 years of performances ! My late brother-in-law was a stand-up comedian. Felt really good to think of him being ‘received’ by an OG.
Here, here!!! Would anyone have understood the healthcare debate so clearly without Jimmy Kimmel? Go Genesius!
I didn’t think of that but it is oh so true. I still voted for Quiteria. To bad only one vote per round.
Amen! And also my daughter and her husband are actors and comedians. Sigh. Looks like he’s going to lose, though. Despite my sympathy for those who combat incarceration.
As an artist, how could I not cast my vote for Genesius, given his Collect:
“May our lives be transformed through creative work, as we serve in the likeness and the image of our Creator; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
#teamgenesius I carry a St. Genesius medal in my theatre kit. It reminds me that my talents are all gifts from God and that my performance may bring a joy, comfort, healing, laughter, etc. to someone in need.
Me too! Girls rule!
Very interesting stories. I went with Quiteria, I am not sure I can tell you why – I must have been moved. Oliver, where are you?
I voted for Quiteria because she freed Christian and refused to obey the roman god.
Good to see you today, Oliver@
Missed you yesterday, Oliver.
I’m with Oliver. Tough choice today.
Welcome back, Oliver!
I’m with you Oliver!
I’m with you, Oliver.
Awesome discernment Oliver! Me too!
Tammy
Both interesting stories – i’s hard to choose, but I guess I believe the commedian’s story more – good job, both celebrity bloggers.
Like the concept of being overcome by the grace of God. It just swallowed him up and he had to act on his blessing. Amazing. It is also really fabulous that Quintera went about freeing the captives. Would that we could all do the same.
As a theater tech person, I frequently invoke St. Genesius- especially when actors ‘go up’ on their lines!
Another really hard choice for the beginning of Lent Madness. Although I was really impressed with the girls, I myself did some acting in my youth and so I went with Genesius.
With her sisters she persisted, but his dramatic conversation won this voter (who lettered in Theatre in High School) over.
Break a leg Saint Genesiius
Bravo!
Quiteria had many different stories, but the Portuguese one didn’t make any sense. Genesius’s story was more believable, so I chose him. Sorry Quiteria.
I reasoned along that same line
This is what I thought . Nine cat one time?
setting the captives free, just like the Lord. Quintera for me.
Genesius! I believe firmly that we can “act our way into right thinking.” I can get my butt in the pew, say the words, pray even when I don’t feel it. Same goes for acting as if I am enjoying a party, interested in what someone is saying, or care about someone is really truly a child of God just like me. When I am willing to act “as if,” God changes my heart and I am so often transformed.
Awesome Alison! My late brother-in-law was a comedian . So Genesius got my vote.
I love what you’ve written here, and it cemented my decision to vote for Generous as well.
How can you not vote for someone who set out to mock Christianity and God smiled on him anyway and caused his immediate conversion.
Well put. My recently deceased husband was an excellent actor and used those skills as a priest, practicing the presence of Jesus each time he presided at the Eucharist. In both places he too was transformed. So I have to vote fro Genesius!
Lovely comment! Faking it until you make is often a way forward.
Genesius got my vote with the words “a comedian….”
Me too! I’ve often said that if God does not have a sense of humor I am in deep trouble. I can just picture Genesius entertaining angels and archangels and all the company of heaven crying out for his Golden Halo, Note that Genesius wasn’t all fun and games. He had to have been incredibly gutsy to take on Diocletian.
Really agree about the sense of humor. And two of my kids are theater techs.
Good stories, both of them… But I went with Genesius, who seems recognizable as model for the unlikely and wonderful musical Philemon by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, which I’ve loved ever since viewing it on PBS in 1976.
I’m a theatre professional and so I had to go with Genesius, whose miraculous medal dangles from my rearview mirror. Maybe I’d be better off with St. Christopher riding shotgun, but there you have it. I worked on a production of Philemon back in the 90s. While Genesius may have been an inspiration to Jones and Schmidt, there was also an actor/clown named Philemon who had a conversion experience while acting and was executed in 305. His feast day is March 8.
As the mother of a high school thespian – who, coincidentally, is touring Rome as we speak with his Latin class – I had to cast my lot with Genesius. Theatre is indeed a transformative experience, for actors and audience alike!
I love good ironic conversion stories. Genesius gets my vote.
Genesius is my pick. Whether it’s Genesius who set out to mock Chrisitianity, or Paul who persecuted Christians, or modern day author Lee Strobel who set out to disprove Christianity, touching the divine in Jesus Christ changes people.
Today, my vote goes to Genesius. VOTE Genesius! Why? because our ARTS need to return to Christ. Much of the arts today are wicked and have a malicious nature. Maybe this will help:
God of laughter and suffering, we pray that through all of our art, we might reflect the goodness of your grace. May our lives be transformed through creative work, as we serve in the likeness and the image of our Creator; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you Patricia.
I voted for the nonuplet, because you don’t meet one of those every day and also because she freed prisoners.
Had to go w/a comedian/action. Remembering my Saint of the Day, from _Good Morning Vietnam_ and _Dead Poets Society_, Robin Willaims. No contest, slam dunk.
Oh, Robin Williams! What a big heart. I’m glad to be reminded of him today. BTW, have you read his “10 Reasons to Be Episcopalian”? https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjqupGMi63ZAhWRyVMKHcOXD7sQFghkMAc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.clergyconfidential.com%2F2014%2F07%2Fmore-top-10-reasons-to-be-episcopalian.html&usg=AOvVaw3i-tCkcIi-jwR20-9HZR_Q
…w/a comedian/*actor.*…
Yes -Genesius in memory of Robin Williams. They could be a tandem comedic team up in heaven now, making God laugh
Gotta go with the feisty girls-especially given their time. They persisted in their Christian witness over a longer period of time than Genesius who had just the one big act of witness (although it was a gusty one).
It was going to be Quiteria all the way but as I reread Genesius I was reminded of Lent as a preparation for Holy Baptism and so he got my vote.
Quiteria is the best! And besides, Genesius lied.
Welcome to Lent Madness, Pailet! You join Oliver (now 10 years old), another kid who has been an important part of our LM family since he was 7 or 8. Never let anyone tell you that you’re “only a kid.” Your thoughts are great and I look forward to seeing your parts this year and many more to come.
Quiteria for me too, Pailet. I believe Genesius had a true conversion since he didn’t recant when faced with torture and death. But whether or not you believe the story of the nine warrior women (I choose to believe it), even the less dramatic stories agree that Quiteria was beheaded by her father’s soldiers because she refused to renounce Christianity. Go girl p;ower!
Quiteria for me! By the way, is it possible to get identifiers for the various saints at the bottom of the big bracket poster? Thanks.
The saints pictured are a few of the “dancing saints,” a mural/icon that surrounds the altar at St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church in San Francisco. I picked up their identification booklet one Sunday when I visited, so out of curiosity–I’ll call it Lenten preparation–I identified them. These particular saints don’t seem to have anything to do with this year’s bracket, but here they are, left to right: Bartolome de las Casas, Sojourner Truth, Esther John (Qamar Zia), Charles Darwin, Mary Magdalene [Golden Halo Winner], /Dorothy Lincoln, Black Elk, Anne Hutchinson, Samuel Isaac Joseph Shereshewski [Bishop of Shanghai–one of my faves], Agnes Sanford, Fyodor Dostoievski, Marguesite de Porete, Paul, Moses the Black, Eleanor Roosevelt, Florence Li Tim Oi, Baccus. (BTW, the two on the ends got cut off on my printout of the bracket.)
Thanks, Irene. I had wondered as well.
here is a list of the saints, along with “headshots” from the icon https://www.saintgregorys.org/saints-by-name.html
(that’s the complete list of saints from the icon at St Gregory of Nyssa, not necessarily the ones on the Saintly Scorecard)
What a tough choice today! As standup comedy is one of my roads-not-taken (yet!), I was all ready to vote for Genesius.
But then I read about Quiteria, and the phrases “nonuplet warrior gangs don’t take imprisonment lightly,” “freeing fellow prisoners,” and “Quiteria and her sisters engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Roman Empire” got to me. Had to vote for the warrior princess. Go, Quiteria!
I just gotta say: “Christian Nonuplet Warrior Gang” would be a great garage-band name.
I think they should have canonized the nurse who took in NINE newborns and raised them!
She gets my vote too!!!
I’d vote for her myself!
Definitely! Especially considering that this was long before formula, bottles, and disposable diapers. I would imagine she probably had help nursing the nine newborns.
No one finds this unbelievable? Nine babies before neo natal intensive care? How did this nurse transport nine newborns? How could they have been fed? How many willing wet nurses could be found? This is very far fetched!
Wow. I love that there’s a patron saint of using humor to shed the light on truth. But at the end of the day the warrior woman is kind of awesome.
Genesius most certainly! While the idea of the nonuplets conducting guerrilla warfare from the woods has its appeal, and while her rising out of the ocean carrying her head was quite impressive, I am so drawn to the irony everywhere in Genesius’ story. I have had a real soft spot for the theatre since I portrayed Scarlett Scragg in the local college production of “Li’l Abner” when I was 12. (“But Ma, Ma–who WUZ Jubilation T. Cornpone?”) Just think– a converted Roman comedian in the third century, tripped up by his own ridicule-ous performance! What’s not to love?
As a former actor and a lover of comedy, I had to go with Genesius, although I have to admit that gang of girls story was pretty compelling. Theological question: Was Genesius really baptized, since the whole thing was meant as a farce? I hope a Christian priest sneaked into prison and finished the job.
I don’t think it really matter to God/Jesus if he was “really” baptized.
Genesius’s faith was awakened when he received the stage baptism, so that made the baptism real.
Genesius underwent the baptism of blood. It doesn’t get any more valid than that.
I always have to go with the thespian as I did theater in High School and I some how passed on the gene to my son who asked me to help his HS theater group with sets and customs! It gave us great bonding in those teen years.
Genisuis is getting the votes from a houseful of stagehands! We could always use the help of the patron of actors!
Is it bad that Genesius reminded me of Comicus in Mel Brooks’ History of the World? “When you die at the palace you really die at the palace.” Plus, I’m currently grading papers on Roman comedy so I had to go with him.
I once played a bawdy virgin love interest in the Roman comedy Curculio by Plautus! Here’s to Genesius!
K. Jeanne Person – that’s all kind of awesome! Just taught Plautus a few weeks ago – Brothers Menaechmus. Roman comedy – the forerunner of American sitcom. Perhaps I should have voted for Quiteria afterall – ha ha.
So Genesius sez to the Lord, he sez, “Take my life–please!”
[rimshot]
That was hilarious, Peg.
Badabing badaboom! Sweet, Peg!
Genesius Youngman: My wife said to me, “For our anniversary I want to go somewhere I’ve never been before.” I said, “Try the kitchen!”
How ’bout that audience? What an audience! They slay me.
{{GROAN}}
Dying is easy. It’s comedy that’s hard.
Had to go with Quiteria. She kept her head about her, no matter what! And used it to come to the aid of her sisters in distress. You might say she was free of attachments, leaving her free to free others. Besides…if one is to receive “the crown of life”, one needs a head to put it on!
I vote for the nurse who raised the nonuplets. 🙂
As a proud member of Actors Equity and Screen Actors Guild for over forty years, and a priest of the church you just gotta know who I voted for, Genesius!!!
Two weird early martyr stories, so I went for the leader of the sister gang freeing persecuted Christians.
I agree, truly weird
I voted for Genesius because his story was more real. Also it is an example of how God can find his way into your life even when you’re not seeking Him.
The Saint Quiteria was a brave woman. Some of her story may have been expanded to almost unreal. The story surrounding her birth seemed a bit far fetched.
So, I voted for Quiteria because I’m interested in seeing women gain equal stature in the world, though I’m conflicted by the term “warrior” since I’m not sure that bodes well. But in my opinion, the servant to who took on nine unwanted babies is the real Saint today.
Parent orders child/ren killed. Servant shows mercy, hides child/ren to be raised secretly. Sounds like the classic plot of the Moses and Romulus/Remus stories retold with feminine heroes. Go, Quiteria!
Great match up! But in the end, I had to go with the warrior ladies. Setting the captives free is just marvelous! Quiteria for me today.
I like both candidates, but Quiteria gets my vote. She started life miraculously. Imagine all the nonuplets surviving birth without an NICU to give them oxygen and medical support until they grew hardy enough to survive on their own! Or if they made it to term, that would be a miracle in and of itself. I love it that the women freed prisoners of an unjust regime, and refused to marry for safety. And Quiteria wouldn’t quit just because she was dead. She returned to help her sisters.
Assured that God has a sense of humor, Genesius gets my vote.
Genesius, for unintended consequences, for God’s grace when we don’t expect or deserve it. And for laughter.
David Sibley is a good writer. But all of that lore about Quiteria being a guerrilla warrior is, well, lore. Even the story of her fleeing her non-Christian father and being quickly found and beheaded is legend. And there are lots and lots of stories about virgin martyrs.
For me, Quiteria is too obscure and too in keeping with a patriarchal church that likes to kill off virgins. We get excited about warrior women, but why encourage a church to creates legends about virgins and violence? As though this is the aspiration and ideal? Vote for Deacon Anna, for Queen Margaret instead!
Genesius, meanwhile, has such a unique story.
This was a hard one. Until now, I had not heard of either of these saints, so my vote is a shot in the dark. However, never hearing of them before, enticed me to seek more about them.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Lent Madness! Learn about saints most of us have never heard of.
Anyone who risks his or her life for justice gets my vote.
Am I the only one who sees this as a Paul (Genesius) vs. Moses (Quiteria) connection? Genesius having an unexpected conversion like Paul and Quiteria being saved from death at birth (like Moses).
How interesting! Not to mention Moses’ connection with the sea, both as a baby and during the journey out of Egypt.
It would appear that, like me, many of our voters have theater in their blood. Truly, the theater has the power to help us see beyond our own limited understanding. My transformative experience in theater was playing the role of Anne Frank with my high school Thespian troupe. One of her last diary entries was, “….in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart”. May we all find a way to see each other as children of God.
#teamgenesius I carry a St. Genesius medal in my theatre kit. It reminds me that my talents are all gifts from God and that my performance may bring a joy, comfort, healing, laughter, etc. to someone in need.
As a retired Christian clown named Peanut and have given myself another middle name, Sarah, because she laughed when learned she was pregnant in her 90’s, I voted for Genesius with a hopeful heart for his win.
A gang of warrior sisters gets my vote today!
The bio presentations may have something to do with it, and implausibility doesn’t necessarily or even usually disqualify a candidate; but Quiteria’s grand fables, presented unabashedly as such, are just too over-the-top, starting with the nonuplets who survived to adulthood back in whatever century. Genesius’s story on the other hand, could have happened word-for-word and is also uniquely touching — a dark-comedic echoof Paul’s conversion, if you will.
According to his Wikipedia article Genesius is also a patron saint of us lawyers, maybe because we too may seek the suspension of disbelief; though another article assigns that grave responsibility to Ives and Thomas More. The more the merrier — we need all the help we can get — but now that I know of him, Genesius will always be my Special Friend.
Forget Quiteria, I vote sainthood for her mother – 9!! at once!!!
Really? After she ordered her nonuplets drowned at birth?
CB Sibley almost swayed me with his engaging take on Quinteria. As one who is trying to express my artistic side, the collect for Genesius offering our creative attempts to our Creator God guided my vote. And like another voter mentioned, Robin Williams.
Wow! Guerilla action against the powerful versus an outward action creating internal and eternal change. I almost didn’t vote so I could support both. As a teen in DC we did guerrilla theater during the marches on Washington, so I went with the actor who became that which he portrayed. Love the transformative power of art, and of course, of sacraments!
I voted for Genesius because I appreciate the “speaking truth to power” bit. Also, Genesius had to know what was going to happen to him if he witnessed and still did it.
Going with Genesius this morning, though I like both. I, too, like the idea of him acting a role and having it suddenly become real for him. I’m reminded of the way the play within the play in Midsummer Night’s Dream is played in the late 90s movie version. Going from broad comedy to suddenly very real.
Today I’m finding it impossible to get into this fantasy world. There are many saints whose lives are better documented and who deserve being more widely known. These two are little more than cartoon characters, and I have other far more weighty things on my mind today. Maybe taking the saints seriously is my problem.
As an actor I have to vote for Genesius. While I admire Quiteria‘s freeing of captives and commitment to her fair, and a devout Anabaptist pacifist I just can’t support warfare or violence.
Having been comic, an actor, and somewhat tortured, it would have to be Genesius for me.
I’m going with Quiteria today. I like Genesius too but in the end, it was Quiteria for me.
Nope, not enough evidence for me that 9 birth sisters would have survived back in those days. Sorry Quinteria, but my vote is reluctantly for Genesius.
I am not sure why the nurse was not recommended for sainthood. Imagine raising nine babies, talk about sleepless nights. And what a great group of woman she raised.
Sisters are doing it for themselves!!!!
TEMPTING TO GO HEADLONG INTO VOTING FOR EITHER GENESIUS OR QUITERIA, BUT THE REPENTENT COMEDIAN TURNED MY HEAD
The amazing grace of seeing the real blessing of God while denying and ridiculing, and being wholly embraced to the point of evangelism made Genesius my choice.
Come on, comedy! Let’s live on in the collective last laugh on the authorities!
This was so much more difficult that the Peter/Paul match-up, for me. As a “ham” and the fact that I writing a piece that will hopefully do some awareness raising I really wanted to vote fore Genesius. But the idea of a gang of women (I led a gang when I was younger) out and about for prisoner rescuing was too much for me to pass up. Go Quinteria Girl!
Weakest choice I ever remember in Lent Madness. Both are examples of why institutionally designated Saint status can sometimes be just ludicrous. So far this year, Lent Madness is off to a very weak start, with three of the first six choices making the game feel more like a farce or satire.
Oh, lighten up! It’s Lent Madness. Take off the sack cloth and wash off the ashes. LOL
Well said!
As the SEC says every year…
Lent Madness is optional!
None must, some should, all can.
Interesting quote as we talked about it yesterday in our confirmation class at church. I like this one as it is a different order , but it does speak to giving everyone permission to join in, and thus this response.
Genesius! I am so glad to see him here. Art is indeed truth, and I love the way his was first reached through his involvement with the arts.
I loved the story of those feisty sister’s, but I guess I couldn’t get the vision of Genesius’ transformation out of my head and how he refused to back down, standing form for his faith. A tough choice for sure because of a job well done by both authors.
Who needs super heroes when you have Quiteria? When is the Nonuplet Warrior Gang movie?
I’ve heard of Genesius forever, but never bothered to find out who he was. His story really speaks to me, so I’m voting for him. Thanks so much for including him; next time I see a reference to him, I’ll understand why!
The accounts of both saints are a bit fanciful, but surely there were good people at the root of the fanciful accounts. Because the Church seems to think about 80% of the saints are male, I have to go with Quinteria and her sisters.
Good to know about these two, but I have loved Santa Liberata for years and My vote goes to her sister.
(I got a pop up ad when I voted today…)
My vote’s for Quiteria. A feisty lady!
Tough choice today. In the end I chose Quiteria simply because she chose to give her life for others – would we do the same?.
This was a really tough vote. I love theater and I laughed out loud to hear the story of Genesius. But there’s just something about feisty girls running around freeing prisoners that’s compelling. I think they should make a movie about Quiteria and perhaps invoke St. Genesius while doing it! But in any case, my vote went to Quiteria.
I’m married to an actor. Naturally, I had to vote for the comedian.
Genesius. Because this great story hit me personally. As a young teen I was a hanger-on in an Episcopal youth group, but I rarely attended worship because I found their ritualistic worship style contrived and goofy. When the curate / youth pastor was ordained to the priesthood there, though, I sat up front with the rest of the youth group. And — I am much more embarrassed now to tell it; at the time I was more completely puzzled than embarrassed — I found myself giggling uncontrollably throughout the liturgy. I could not stop. Twelve years later after much spiritual wandering, I found my way into an Episcopal parish and almost immediately fell in love with everything about the Episcopal Church. (Well, almost everything: I still hold the same opinion about the similarity between a communion wafer and a flattened styrofoam ball that I did when I was 14!) Four years later I started seminary, and I’m now in my 29th year as a parish priest. Genesius thought he was the playwright, but we’re all just players in the theatre of God’s love, and the Divine Comedian always has the last and best laugh.
“Like”
and just what does “like” mean or signify?
On Facebook, one can easily indicate approval of something someone has written by “Like”ing their comments. It means I like Lisa’s story. I was moved by it.
You posted while I was writing — thanks for the clarification!
Beats me, but I think it’s something people do on social media. At a guess, in this context, it’s short for “Lisa, I like your comment.”
I am smiling broadly reading your story. God definitely loves to have the last laugh on us. Thanks for sharing!
I couldn’t vote as I just came on this site. I got a laugh out of your description of the communion wafers. I need to ask
If you ever tried the candy wafers that have beads in them? They are shaped like saucers and different colors. I would’ve also voted for Genesis as he stood his ground for his faith!
Quiteria for me, since she had the nerve and verve to stand up to authority, even after death!
Genesius because his conversion and martyrdon is more believable
Genesius. His story teaches us many things: how comedy often contains a hidden truth which reveals itself with a change in perspective; how an unexpected encounter with God can change our lives; and what a sense of humour God can have him/herself–to convert an actor while he is on stage and so cannot escape the encounter. Perfect!
Nonuplets who survived in that era…without medical intervention yet? I don’t believe a word of Quiteria’s story. I voted for Genesius. I love a man with a sense of humor!
Far fetched…I hate auto correct!I agree with Marilyn.
Hard choice but Quiteria was faithful for much longer, holding out against her father over a period of years. So she has my vote.
This is the most entertaining battle. I almost went with Genesius because I like his name and laughter is at the heart of love. I went with Quiteria and her gang of sisters (not quite believable but a great story) for standing up to the pagans and freeing Christians.
The French seem to like their beheaded saints to carry their own heads; St Denis did the same thing. I am sorry that Mrs. Uplet denied her children and made them non-uplets. But perhaps she would have had a tough time finding nine eligible bachelors for the Miss Uplets so drowning them seemed practical. Gilbert and Sullivan were not yet born, so there was no song to inspire them to wed Pagans of Penzance who were actually Christians gone wrong:
Here’s a first rate opportunity
To get married with impunity
And indulge in the felicity
Of unbounded domesticity.
You shall quickly be parsonified,
Conjugally matrimonified,
By a Doctor of Divinity
Who is located in this vicinity.
So the girls became pirates themselves. Very practical.
To me the choice here is between two stories, since both the major actors get beheaded. I find little here to guide me in choosing responses to gun violence. But the girls break out in “feminine jouissance”; their guerrilla warfare is at least an effort to fight back. They become a major “symptom” of the denial of their personhood. The students in Parkland, FL have fought back through social media, telling their stories and demanding gun control. They refuse to be silenced and quickly sought to seize the narrative first, before the senators could say “nothing can be done; laws wouldn’t help.” So I vote for Quiteria, who wouldn’t quit.
Toughest match up thus far. I had pretty much decided on Genesius, since the late night comedians are saving my sanity these days, but your Gilbert and Sullivan homage and Parkland commentary are making me rethink AGAIN!
Placet.
Love this response, especially because it burst into song! 😀
Also because we are shown so much about life in every Saintly story. Quiteria’s tale being so fairy-tale-ish makes it more possible that it was a lost pre-Christian tale we may never know, but whatever kernels of wisdom and grace the story possessed were treasured, and thus preserved, by Christian communities. Also FEMALE GANGS to free prisoners?! Please sign this lefty lawyer right up.
Your Gilbert and Sullivan is wonderful! Thank you, St. Celia!
Genesius has an epiphany and is moved to share the good news with the person he is with…the emperor. What an amazing, reckless act of courage. Inspiring!
Nonuplets – don’t believe a word of Quiteria’s story. But it sure is a great story. Voted for Quiteria!
I loved the write-ups today. Nice job bloggers but I just couldn’t buy the nonuplets. 3 sets of triplets – maybe. And those that want more “serious” saints, perhaps, don’t really get Lent Madness.
I love reading all your comments, your personal connections that led to your vote, and your reasoning behind the decision, And…I love the nod to Robin Williams! For me, I can ponder why I chose Quiteria over Genesius.
Genesius is who I voted for. I have called upon him and he is with me always. Genesius is my ‘bro’!!! His story is inspirational. He watches over actors and dancers and comidians! I can’t express enough about what Genesius has done for me and what God has done for me. God is great. Life is great. Thank you!
“Like”
Loved both, but Genesius shows the mysterious ways of God!
Wonderful writing by both, and both subjects exhibited admirable courage, but went with the badass sister gang. Quiteria!
As if Peter vs. Paul wasn’t hard enough, now you pit a comedian–a holy fool?–against an early Christian Wonder Woman and her liberation army.
So I voted for the comedian.
But maybe I should have voted for a woman who managed to get nine sisters to co-operate. Perhaps that’s the real miracle.
Quiterius! Brave and true of heart.
I voted for Quiteria because her story is probably an echo of a true story about a woman who fought for her people and faith, freeing prisoners. Since women in Southern France had equal status in legal terms and were clergy in the original church there, I can believe the story of a woman who was a leader of the anti-Roman resistance. I loved the story of Genesius, though. Tough choice!
Although it is hard to resist Wonder Woman and Her Sisters, Genesius testifies to the grace of baptism and the gift of the performing arts. Note: my son is an aspiring actor at a college where he is studying drama. He is on the autism spectrum and the theater has given him a life in the wider world. God is as present in and through the performing arts as in more militant forms of resistance to oppression. Vote Genesius.
Clearly, both stories are legendary. Quiteria’s may seem more far-fetched, but that’s partly because her story is longer and more detailed. I take them both at face value, so to speak.
As part of acknowledging the *long* history and ongoing abuse of women, I feel that we must have room for some warriors. We must have room for women who refuse to be abused, and for women who fight back.
I see the warrior woman as a symbol. Abuse generates rage. If rage is not to be suppressed or, as it often is, passed down in the form of abuse of others or internalized as self-abuse, then it must be expressed — hopefully, as strong action. I see the #MeToo movement as a huge group of women warriors wielding the sword of truth and justice. I think women need these symbols of resistance to inspire us to act.
So while I love comedy and theater, I’m all in for Quiteria!
Thanks, Belle for your thoughts. I was struggling with these crazy Christian tales but your comments helped me move past fantasy back into realty. My vote’s for Quitéria!
The change of heart stories really touch me, so it’s Genesius this time.
“As a rule, nonuplet warrior gangs don’t take imprisonment lightly. ” Best sentence in the whole scorecard booklet! Whether or not one believes the “lore” surrounding many of the saintly candidates, there is an echo here of a real and courageous woman. My vote for Quiteria!
What a fun match-up. I never heard of either of these saints before and am glad to have made their acquaintance. So many different ways that faith, grace, and discipleship manefest in God’s creation!
It’s interesting that a number of folks, me included, thought of Robin Williams when voting for Genesius.
This was a hard matchup. I would be happy with whoever one but I had to go with Quiteria and her sisters.
Genesius is my choice today. I love theater in all its forms, and have profound memories of a production of “Godspell” in which I played a disciple at the Last Supper and then, immediately, a soldier arresting Jesus in the Garden. The impact of that juxtaposition is with me still.
Pat, you have said what I was thinking – I love Lent Madness for the education!
Having been a theater nerd and Thespian in high school I have to vote for the actor.
So often we hear that the humor of a comedian has its roots in a tortured life which they turn on its head . . . and more often than not there is much truth in their words! Had to go for Genesius!
Quiteria’s is a compelling enough story, but I gotta go with the paradox of theatre on this one.
I had to flip a coin for these two. Happy Lughnassadh everyone.
As a participant in a Christian theater group I have great devotion to Genesius. I understand the power of the arts to move people’s hearts closer to God.
Although I love the drama of Quiteria, it is Genesius for me. I am a “Drama Mama” for our high school’s thespians, and as a mentor for gifted students, the theatre is often the “safe place” for their creativity. Go, Genesius!
Rough choice. But I went with Quiteria because I was a female soldier.
Another difficult one. Both kept to their beliefs despite the danger that entailed. But since I’ve spent the last 24 hours in constant consideration of what I need to do to make the change I want to see in the world, Quiteria and her sisters give me an example to follow.
As the 5th of 9 children (all single births) my vote goes to Quiteria. My mom and dad were both saints who taught us you can think what ever you like (Drown them all!) and say what you must in a kind manner (please go up to your rooms now).
What wonderful parents you had!
Thrilled to vote for my girl Quiteria AND for the celebrity blogger, David Sibley, who is a former student of mine! Yea Father David.
Close to tied
Quiteria never “quit” (see what I did there?)!
Quiteria seems a bit too far for her, not sure if there is a grain of truth there. So like in most elections cast my vote against her, as opposed to really supporting Genesis.
Far fetched…I hate auto correct!
I support the arts and stage but Quiteria walked out of the ocean after beheading carrying her head. She’s got to be “a head” in the race.
Very tough choice today… but voting for Quiteria because it is the only way I can vote for the courageous nameless nurse who rescued the nine babies. So glad that, in Christ, we are all identified as saints. 🙂
Both had to stand against pagan leaders. Quiteria had a life of faith in community and siblings to fight shoulder to shoulder, back to back. Genesius was a catechumen having no community of his world to support him in his time of trial. A tough decision but for me, but Genesius’ refusal to recant when his past screamed that he should gives him my vote today.
I have to go with Genesius even though my rational side was bent toward Quiteria with all her bravado and courage, dismissing the holding-her-head-in -her-arms bit (a bit much). In these dismal times, laughter really is the best medicine.
Genesis gets my vote because we need humor. Without laughter we can be lost.
“As a rule, nonuplet warrior gangs don’t take imprisonment lightly.”
Best single line of Lent Madness possibly ever.
Amen
Quiteria — A real warrior, got to love a gang of nine sisters fighting for the Cause.
Strong women who survived and persisted and the nurse who saved them…. Quiteria for me.
More ladies, another water related story, had to come to work & go w/Quiteria today.
Had to vote for Quiteria, despite the improbability of her story. We need more stories of women taking on power and authority with courage and determination.
What? Seriously, what are the chances even one nontuplet would have survived? I’m thinking more likely three sisters who looked alike. Our comedic pundits need all the saintly patronage they can get these days. We need to laugh through our tears. Go Genesius!
Ahh Robin, how we miss you Laddie.
Both of today’s saints have compelling stories—warrior sisters who escaped from prison and help others do the same; a comedian who boldly and publicly defied the Emperor Diocletian. I’d heard their names but didn’t know their legenda. Truly, what a great cloud of witnesses we have to encourage us on our journey! I voted for Genesius because as a comedian he gives us permission to have fun in church while still being utterly serious about our faith.
I don’t usually weigh in but it’s certainly Quintera for me… no contest. I found the story much weightier and while exaggerated full of good works for others as well as bravery. The Genesius story was entertaining but not much to it…. maybe if he had actually worked to help other people but all seemed to want was fame for himself.
Genesius, this time. Neither seem particularly attractive to me in our times, but really nothing at all is known of Quiteria other than her name and that she was martyred. If she in fact carried out some kind of “guerilla war,” then I’ll go with an entertainer become martyr rather than a guerilla virgin become martyr. Oh the choices we are forced to make!
Yesterday was a loaded matchup. Charles I didn’t have a chance, any more than he did when he was alive.
That scoffing can lead to conversion is a tale well worth retelling. Fr. Brown often found that the most overt scoffers were in fact those God was working in most to open to. And CS Lewis put it, that a budding atheist needed to be most careful since God was most unscrupulous about leaving things like Bibles open in hotel rooms etc.
I pray that many in our current generations will have similar experiences… not the torture, but the conversion,
The line between comedy and suffering is sometimes thin as a sword blade. I can’t help thinking of Robin Williams, beloved of late, and the suffering he endured while giving laughter to many. Genesius — the trickster who was tricked by grace — for me!
It’s interesting that you go with the ‘more real’ hagiography. It’s what I usually do, too. But for some reason the sheer fantastical exaggeration of Quiteria and her sisters made me vote for her. Maybe all the Norse sagas I’ve been studying lately have given me a taste for the astounding. Both today’s candidates provide saintly examples for our lives today, and examples of the miraculous.
I became acquainted with Genesius decades ago when I was a theatre student. A friend gave me a saints’ medal of Genesius, which I have worn (hidden) to every performance I’ve been in since. The creative arts are a powerful witness to the grace of God (as St. Gene found out) and are transformative for their cultures – as well as cultures that come after them. Genesius! Vote Genesius! Calling all theatre nerds and afficiandos – this is our saint!
Both are martyrs, but I liked Q’s story better.
Interesting combination of two pious (if probably apocryphal) ancient legends. While the possible non-historicity of either story leads me to have little emotional investment in today’s match-up, my taste for comedy and my commitment to non-violence leads me to vote for Genesius,
I vote Quinteria. She represents the plight of many women worldwide today. As one of the nonuplets she united with her siblings to fight oppression of Christians.
I voted for the comedian because his story is, at least, believable. Even today with all our advanced medical techniques, nine babies at once is very rare, 2x mentioned on Wikipedia. Both were both boys and girls, and neither had perfect survival. The most recent one had a zero survival. I don’t believe 9 girls were born and survived. Sorry, but that’s just not possible. I loved their resistance to Rome. If there were sisters who did that, it’s wonderful. I just wish the story hadn’t been so farfetched.
How Quitteria liberated anybody while her hair was in that style with little tents on top is a miracle unto itself. She wins for Best Gang Get-up ever.
Maybe her nurse is the one who should’ve been Sainted.
Tough choice for me. I wanted a career in theater/film and I have 4 sisters and three brothers. Genesius was a tough act to follow. If the idea of nonuplets wasn’t dazzling enough, I am a sucker for beheaded martyrs who display their own heads against their tormenters. Quitera rocked it for me.
Someone made a comment about the value of comedians and in the past year of total “madness” in Washington, D.C., we see the need for humor as never before. Thanks to John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Samantha Bee and others we’ve survived, laughing through tears of anger and angst. In the spirit of Lent Madness, I voted for Genesius. We need our comedians!!
The story of Quiteria sounds much too fictional to be true. I prefer the transformational act of Genesius and his experience of the redemptive power of the baptismal sacrament.
I went with Genesius because of his conversion!! I find it hard to believe that nine babies would survive in utero to all be born at all!! These days it’s tough for quintuplets to survive to be born!!
This was a hard one. I had never heard of either but both were very interesting.
I had a hard time believing the story about having nine sisters born at the same time.
I voted for Genesius and commend him on his short-lived conversion.
Ow!
I too was given away by my Mother; not nearly as dramatic as her wanting me killed. Still I liked her strength. and her survival skills – particularly her carrying around her head bit!
Quonteria got my vote.
What a wild story, 9 kids at once !
Throwing them in a river !
Pact of women fighting off Roman soldiers !
Then beheaded lady emerging from the river !
Wow. You could not make that up.
Sounds like a Jason movie to me
“As a rule, nonuplet warrior gangs do not take imprisonment lightly.” How can I not vote for Quinteria after that sentence?
My feeble brain simply could not wrap itself around the concept of nonuplets surviving birth, so I decided to laugh along with Genesius on this utterly bizarre pairing!
Diocletian got his just desserts later at the hands of the Christians who took over his palace and removed every representation of him in his palace, save one obscure one in what they turned into a chapel.
Still, I’ve got to go with one of nine sisters freeing prisoners.
It really is a tough choice.
About like the election in 2016 for me- I don’t like or believe either one.
I voted for Quiteria in honor of all who stand up to the powerful in the name of religious freedom and justice for those who are of little value under our flawed standards of measurement. This is especially fitting with the current state of our nation.
Totally agree. Quinteria sought to make the impossible possible and that is why she is a saint. And also why she got my vote!
Well said, Alison Earles!
Welcome back Oliver! I went with the woman who survived being born with 8 others! As a maternity nurse, I expected a certain respect for her Mom, until she wants to drown them! I voted for Quitéria for her stamina in the face of ..,,.everything.
Quiteria could be cast in a king fu rendition of this story!!
During his performance for Diocletian, Genesius was heard to utter “I’m dying out here,” a phrase repeated down through the centuries by comedians whose acts are flopping.
Laughter and speaking truth to power are both important. Genesius is a good role model. Quiteria’s story is just bit too fanciful!
Legend, fact or fiction had to go with the the girls. Both stories seem to have definite legend aspect.
I voted for Genesius in large part because of that great collect for him. Laughter can be holy and healing.
I like female warriors–they have served us well. Without them, women wouldn’t be voters. We must not let them down. Meanwhile thanks to Colbert and Kimmel who help us laugh, lest we parish.
Very difficult. Laughter has it this time. a legacy of laughter and faith also
I wanted to vote for Quiteria because she was a strong woman and because David Sibley was her advocate (I consulted one of his books just this morning), but somehow I just couldn’t get into her story. Some of the comments have dissed Genesius because he wasn’t a Christian very long, but remember the parable about the men working in the harvest. Those that only worked one hour got the same pay as those who worked all day.
I thoughtof that also. It’s not about quantity.
although there is a lot to be said regarding quantity in girl gangs
Very hard decision, but you gotta love a saint with a sense of humor.
I always struggle when the vote involves saints whose real histories are obscured by fantastic legends. I’m voting for Genesius, whose Roman legend was at least more likely to have been based on a historical figure, Genesius of Arles (a notary, not a comedian). My further research tells me that Quiteria may be a complete work of fiction, including her name. Genesius’ legend also appeals to me more, as Quiteria’s guerrilla warfare repels the pacifist in me. Looks like she’ll win handily, though.
This was a tough choice. Ultimately I had to go with the comedian martyr. Both were crazy-great stories, but comedians need their own patron saint to get some recognition.
Looking up today’s saints it appears there is a Fraternity of St. Genesius in the Catholic Church for those involved in cinema and theater, though their website it severely out of date. Anyone know if they are still active?
Nevertheless, she persisted….
I voted for the underdog! It was tough. I don’t care how “unreal” the story is! But I’ve done some acting….
I have a hard time believing in the Quiteria story, but it was so good I had to go with her.
At least Oliver and I are on the same page this time.
I selected St Genesius and will tell Frank about him- he will once again portray Pontius Pilate in local troupe. These times also call for some humor and the Parody Project satires hit the spot
Genesius, was doing his thing, and then he “saw the light” We should all be so lucky to be doing what we are called to do(no matter the motive), and get faith at the same time. His conversion and his strength to stay with it convinced me, he has my vote.
I voted for Genesius because his story seems more likely to be true!
I’m curious why only 3 of the 9 sisters were canonized?
Perhaps she was only one of triplets, and her story was exaggerated over the centuries.
Genesius. He stands for the vulnerability of the artist in revealing the Truth of our human condition through the work. And the Truth can only be revealed in a holy space. Theater at its best is the holy place. I’m sometimes aware of this in the ritual of our liturgy.
I’m backing the guy behind the snarky and bitter YouTube comments (the one terrified of a vindictive woman emerging from the deep). I’ve been backing the women for a while now; they got this.
The fact that Quiteria appeared to be an activist, was faithful and fought for what she believed in; gave her my vote
Thank you to both celebrity bloggers for write-ups on two saints I had never heard of before. I went with Genesius. I’m involved with a cabaret theater troupe that does comedy; who knew we had a patron saint? I certainly didn’t, but now I do!
Thespians are saddened by this news. The table of Quiteria was more compelling. Alas!
You had me at “nonuplet warrior gang.” Lol
Apparently I got to my email too late to vote, but as a frustrated actor and comedian I would have voted for Genesius. We don’t pay enough attention to the arts today. BTW I found a reasonable compensation for my abandoned theater career by becoming an English teacher.
Genesis for me. Baptized by an actor shows that no priest is required for the Holy Spirit to move through us.
I think you should have left the weekend vote open longer. I didn’t expect a contest on Saturday and missed the opportunity to vote for Genesius vs Quiteria. Yes, I would have voted for Genesius, an altogether more believable story, very moving I thought. The other seemed like a complete fantasy…
Suggest leaving open the weekend vote throughout the weekend. Missed voting for Genesis.
Genesis will be mine
I clicked with Genesius – anyone who starts off ridiculing God and then finds the overwhelming love of God gets my vote. Especially when he holds fast to his new faith.
After I voted I read about the Spanish Ninja Warriors for God and realized it would be an uphill battle. Still would have chosen Genesius…
Dang! I haven’t been keeping up. If I had, I would have voted for Genesius. If God created us in his image, how could he not have a sense of humor? Among the many surprisingly comedic scenes in Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” there is the one in which Satan returns to hell to give his triumphant speech after the Fall. He expects applause and shouts of praise, but all he hears is hissing; his followers have all been turned into snakes.
Quiteria by far. She always followed God, not to come by Him through lies. God’s grace is powerful, yet to give to others in God’s name is so much God ask for.
I would vote for Quiteria. She certainly faced many challenges in her life including the Roman Leadership and acted to work for releasing prisioners. I am sure those prisions were not a very nice place.