St. Genesius of Rome is the patron saint of actors, comedians and all performers: according to tradition, he was a famous comic actor who was converted on stage while mocking Christian baptism in front of the emperor Diocletian, and was martyred for refusing to take it back. He has been honored in Rome since the fourth century, and his story has inspired plays for five hundred years. His feast day is August 25. Below are his story, other patron saints of comedy and laughter, and prayers to St. Genesius for actors, comedians and performers.
A short prayer to St. Genesius, written for this page:
St. Genesius, you played the part of a Christian as a joke, and God made it real.
Pray for all actors, comedians and performers,
that they may use their gifts to bring truth, beauty and joy into the world.
St. Genesius, pray for us. Amen.
The story of St. Genesius
According to his legend, written down in the seventh century, Genesius was the leader of a troupe of comic actors in Rome at the end of the third century. Hoping to amuse the emperor Diocletian, a fierce persecutor of the Church, he staged a farce that made fun of Christian baptism. Genesius played a sick man who asks to be baptized. But as the water was poured over him on stage, he was suddenly converted. He stopped the play and declared before the emperor and the audience that he truly believed in Christ.
Diocletian at first thought it was part of the performance. When he saw that Genesius meant it, he had him tortured to make him deny Christ, and when Genesius refused, saying that no torment could take Christ from his heart, he was beheaded, about the year 286 or 303. He was buried on the Via Tiburtina, and a church was built in his honor in Rome in early times.
Historians have questioned the details of the legend, and the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia notes that his acts are late, but he was already venerated at Rome in the fourth century. His story was turned into plays by Lope de Vega in Spain (about 1608) and Jean Rotrou in France (Le Véritable Saint Genest, 1647).
What is St. Genesius the patron saint of?
St. Genesius is the patron saint of:
- Actors and actresses
- Comedians, clowns and comic performers
- Musicians, dancers and all who work in the theater
- Converts, since his conversion was so sudden
He is also invoked against epilepsy. Catholic actors’ guilds, theater companies and university drama programs often take his name.
A different saint, St. Genesius of Arles, a court secretary martyred in 303 with the same feast day, is the patron of notaries and secretaries.
Other patron saints of comedy and laughter
- St. Lawrence (August 10), the deacon martyred on a gridiron, who according to tradition told his executioners, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side.” These are often called the funniest last words of any saint. See the St. Lawrence prayer.
- St. Philip Neri (May 26), “the saint of joy,” who used jokes and pranks to keep himself humble and his followers cheerful. See the St. Philip Neri prayer.
- St. Thomas More (June 22), famous for his wit even on the scaffold. See the St. Thomas More prayer.
- St. Vitus (June 15), patron of dancers and entertainers. See St. Vitus.
Scripture praises a cheerful heart (Proverbs 17:22):
A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
Prayers to St. Genesius
Written for this page.
An actor’s prayer before a performance
Lord, as the curtain rises, I offer you this performance.
Through the prayers of St. Genesius, calm my nerves, sharpen my memory,
and help me to serve the story and the audience with all my heart.
Let something true and good reach every person watching. Amen.
A comedian’s prayer
St. Genesius, you made people laugh before you made them believe.
Pray that my humor may lift burdens, not wound;
that I may make people laugh without making anyone small,
and that the joy I share may point to the One who made us for joy. Amen.
For an audition
Lord, you know how much this part means to me.
Give me courage and peace, help me to do my best,
and whatever the outcome, remind me that my worth is in you. Amen.
Feast day
The feast of St. Genesius is August 25, the date of his death in the Roman Martyrology. He is not on the general calendar of the Church, but actors’ guilds and theater ministries often celebrate him with a Mass or a blessing of performers.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of comedians?
St. Genesius of Rome, a comic actor who became a martyr. St. Lawrence and St. Philip Neri are also loved for their humor.
Who is the patron saint of actors?
St. Genesius, whose feast is August 25.
Which saint had the funniest last words?
St. Lawrence, who is said to have joked on the gridiron, “Turn me over, I’m done on this side.”
More patron saints
- St. Vitus, patron of dancers
- Patron saints of sports and hobbies
- St. Cecilia, patron of musicians
- St. Philip Neri prayer
- Unusual patron saints
- Patron saints of professions
Texts and sources
- Proverbs 17:22 (Douay-Rheims).
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), “Genesius,” public domain (Wikisource).