St. Maurus – christianapostles.com

St. Maurus Biography

St. Maurus is the patron saint of several places in Europe and Latin America, but the most well-known is Saint Maurus of Glanfeuil. He was a disciple of Saint Benedict of Nursia, and is credited as the first monk to have followed him.

According to tradition, Maurus was born in Rome and became a student of Saint Benedict at a young age. Maurus was said to be gifted in both spiritual and physical pursuits, excelling in both prayer and athletics.

One story tells of a time when a Benedict’s senior student was drowning in the River Anio and Maurus, prompted by his mentor, jumps in the river and rescued him. The story is said to be the first example of obedience by a disciple of Benedict and also a demonstration of Maurus’ physical strength and courage.

Maurus is also credited with playing a key role in the spread of monasticism in Europe. He is said to have established several monasteries, and to have trained many monks in the Rule of Saint Benedict, which laid out a framework for monastic life.

St. Maurus is also said to have been appointed as abbot of the Monastery of Glanfeuil in Anjou, France by Saint Benedict, which is where he spent the majority of his life and where he is buried.

St. Maurus is venerated as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on January 15th. He is also considered as one of the founders of the monastic tradition of the Western Church.

As well as being remembered for his role as a leader in monasticism, he is also remembered for his role in the spiritual education of youth. He is patron saint of schoolchildren, students, and apprentices. He is remembered for his obedience, courage, physical strength and spiritual education. He played a key role in the establishment and spread of monasticism in Europe and considered as one of the founders of the Western Church monastic tradition.

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Detailed Biography of St. Maurus: The First Disciple of St. Benedict

St. Maurus is one of the most revered saints in the Benedictine tradition, as he was the first disciple and companion of St. Benedict of Nursia, the founder of Western monasticism. In this blog post, we will explore the life and legacy of St. Maurus, based on historical sources and legends, and highlight some of the major moments in his spiritual journey.

Early Years and Monastic Formation

St. Maurus was born in Rome in 512 AD, to a noble and wealthy family. His parents, Equitius and Laurentia, were devout Christians who wanted to dedicate their son to God. When he was 12 years old, they brought him to St. Benedict, who had recently established a monastery at Subiaco, about 40 miles east of Rome. St. Benedict accepted the young boy as an oblate, meaning that he was offered to the monastic life by his parents.

St. Maurus quickly became a favorite disciple of St. Benedict, who taught him the principles of the Rule of St. Benedict, a guide for living a balanced and holy life in community. St. Maurus also excelled in both prayer and learning, as well as in physical activities such as gardening, building, and farming.

One of the most famous stories about St. Maurus involves his miraculous rescue of another young oblate, St. Placidus, who had fallen into a lake while fetching water. According to St. Gregory the Great, who wrote the biography of St. Benedict, St. Benedict saw the accident in a vision and ordered St. Maurus to run to the lake and save his brother monk. St. Maurus obeyed without hesitation and ran across the water as if it were dry land, pulling St. Placidus out by his hair. When they returned to the monastery, St. Benedict praised St. Maurus for his faith and obedience, but St. Maurus humbly attributed the miracle to his master’s command.

Mission to France and Foundation of Glanfeuil Abbey

In 543 AD, St. Benedict decided to send a group of monks to France, where the bishop of Le Mans had requested some help in establishing monastic life according to the Rule of St. Benedict. He chose St. Maurus as the leader of the mission, along with four other monks: Martin, John, Flavian, and Eutropius.

The journey from Italy to France was long and perilous, but St. Maurus and his companions were protected by divine providence and performed many miracles along the way. They healed the sick, cast out demons, multiplied food and wine, and even raised a dead man to life.

They finally arrived at Le Mans in 544 AD, where they were welcomed by the bishop and the local people. They settled on a piece of land on the south bank of the Loire river, a few miles east of Angers, where they built a monastery that became known as Glanfeuil Abbey.

St. Maurus was appointed as the first abbot of Glanfeuil Abbey, where he continued to follow the Rule of St. Benedict faithfully and diligently. He also attracted many new disciples who came to learn from his wisdom and holiness. He was renowned for his miracles, especially his gift of healing cripples and those afflicted with rheumatism, epilepsy, gout, hoarseness, or cold.

Death and Veneration

St. Maurus died peacefully on January 15th, 584 AD, at the age of 72. He was buried in the church of Glanfeuil Abbey, where his relics were venerated for centuries.

In 862 AD, during the Norman invasions of France, his relics were transferred to Paris by Abbot Odo of Glanfeuil (not to be confused with Odo of Cluny), who later became king of France as Odo I (888-898). The relics were placed in the abbey church of Saint-Pierre-des-Fossés (later renamed Saint-Maur-des-Fossés), where they remained until 1793, when they were destroyed during the French Revolution.

St. Maurus is honored as a saint by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church. His feast day is celebrated on January 15th in the Roman calendar (before 1969) or on November 22nd in the Benedictine calendar (after 1969). He is depicted as a young man in the garb of a monk, holding an abbot’s cross and a spade (symbolizing his work as a builder), or sometimes with a crutch or a weighing scale (symbolizing his healing power). He is the patron saint of cripples, those suffering from various diseases, and several professions and places, such as the Azores, charcoal burners, cobblers, coppersmiths, and shoemakers.

St. Maurus is a model of monastic virtue, obedience, humility, and charity. He shows us how to follow Christ in the footsteps of St. Benedict, and how to serve God and our neighbor with joy and generosity. He also reminds us of the power of prayer and faith, which can overcome any obstacle and perform any wonder. May we imitate his example and seek his intercession in our daily lives. Amen.

Prayers to St. Maurus

Prayer of Intercession to St. Maurus

Dear St. Maurus,

As one of the closest disciples of Saint Benedict, you were known for your obedience, strength, and courage. You were instrumental in the spread of monasticism in Europe and in the spiritual education of young people.

I ask for your intercession and guidance as I strive to follow in your footsteps. Help me to be obedient to God’s will in my life, to be strong and courageous in my pursuit of holiness, and to be a part of a supportive community of faith.

May I find inspiration in your example, and may I seek to be a good steward of the gifts and talents that God has given me, to serve others as you did.

Through your intercession, may I be granted the grace and strength to achieve the spiritual and personal goals I set for myself, and to overcome any obstacle that comes my way.

I ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to St. Maurus

Dear St. Maurus,

You were a shining example of obedience, strength, and courage. You dedicated your life to spreading the teachings of Saint Benedict and helping young people grow in their faith.

As I seek to live my life according to the will of God, I turn to you for guidance and inspiration. Help me to be obedient to God’s will, even when it may be difficult. Give me the strength and courage to face the challenges that come my way, and to remain steadfast in my faith.

I ask that you intercede on my behalf and pray for me as I seek to follow your example of devotion and service. May I be a positive influence on those around me, and may I be guided by your wisdom and guidance.

I pray that through your intercession, I may be granted the grace and strength to achieve the spiritual and personal goals I set for myself, and to overcome any obstacle that comes my way.

I ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Reflection on the Feast of St. Maurus

Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Maurus on January 15

Today, on the Feast of St. Maurus, we are called to reflect on the life and legacy of this important figure in the history of the Church. As a disciple of Saint Benedict, St. Maurus is remembered for his role in the spread of monasticism in Europe and his contributions to the spiritual education of young people.

One of the key themes in the life of St. Maurus is obedience. According to tradition, it was Saint Benedict who directed Maurus to rescue his senior student from drowning in the River Anio, and it was through this act of obedience that Maurus established himself as one of Benedict’s closest disciples. This story is a reminder to us of the importance of obedience to God’s will in our own lives.

St. Maurus is also remembered for his physical strength and courage. Not only did he save his senior student from drowning but the fact that he was able to do so was a demonstration of his physical strength and courage. This is a reminder to us that we must also be strong and courageous in our pursuit of holiness and spiritual growth.

St. Maurus also played a key role in the establishment and spread of monasticism in Europe. He is credited with establishing several monasteries and training many monks in the Rule of Saint Benedict. This is a reminder to us of the importance of community and spiritual brotherhood in the journey of faith.

Another important aspect of St. Maurus’s life was his role in the spiritual education of youth. He is the patron saint of schoolchildren, students, and apprentices, a reminder that the Church has always recognized the importance of investing in the education and formation of young people.

On this Feast of St. Maurus, let us reflect on the life and legacy of this important Saint and consider how his example can inspire us on our own journey of faith. May we be obedient to God’s will, strong and courageous in our pursuit of holiness, and committed to building up spiritual community and investing in the education of young people.

St. Maurus life is a reminder of the importance of obedience, strength, courage, spiritual community and education. This feast day is an invitation to reflect on how we can apply these principles in our own lives and strive to become better versions of ourselves. May the example of St. Maurus inspire us to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Saints Similar to St. Maurus

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Meinrad of Einsiedeln. St. Maurus and St. Meinrad were both monks known for their devotion to the monastic life. Both lived in the early Middle Ages. Next up: Biography of St. Maximilian Kolbe

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