In St. Genevieve: A Woman for all Ages, Irene Rydelek takes the reader into the world of fifth-century Gaul, a time when the power and authority of Rome was waning and the nation that would become France was in an embryonic stage. The Christian Church was extending deep roots among the various peoples of Europe, roots that would shape and inform Western culture for centuries to come. It was an uncertain time, a time of barbarians, of collapse, of hunger and misery. There were wars and rumors of wars.
Into this world God sent a woman, Genevieve. Even as a child, she sought after and understood the “one thing needful", “that good part” which could not and would not be taken away from her. A woman of singular focus and purpose [who] grew to become a woman who could inspire a nation.
Her ascetic discipline and spiritual strength gave strength and courage to the people of Paris and brought deliverance to the City of Paris when it was threatened with death, starvation and destruction. Her words, "Have faith in God – He will not abandon us – if we fast and pray and keep our faith; trust in Him. Remember how He helped us in the past”, ring true for us in our troubled times.
Author:Irene Rydelek
Publisher: Alexander Press, Montreal 2009
