January 30th - St. Mucian Mary Wiaux.
Born at Mellet, Belgium, on March 20, 1841; died Malonne, Belgium, on
January 30, 1917; canonized by John Paul II on December 10, 1989.
Louis Joseph Wiaux was the son of a deeply devout blacksmith and his
equally
fervent wife, who was an innkeeper. He became a Christian Brother at Namur
in 1856 (age 15) and took the name of an obscure Roman martyr of unknown
date, Mucian, who was killed with an unknown boy and another named Mark.
After short times at Chimay and then Brussels, in 1858, Mucian Mary was
moved to the college at Malonne, where he remained the balance of his
life.
It must have been difficult for Brother Mucian: He found himself in a
teaching order but had little talent for it. Thus, he was given marginal
subjects and assigned to those tasks that required no special teaching
skills. Although he was no success in passing on book knowledge, Brother
Mucian had that much prized skill of "bringing even the least gifted to
the
limit of their abilities." What a wonderful present God placed in the
lives
who knew Mucian! Here was a man who could lead others to share the
charisms
with which God had endowed them. Of course, the ability to bring out the
best in those around him, made Brother Mucian much loved. His gentleness
and
holiness of life also served as a model to those who saw "the brother who
is
always praying."
Visits to his tomb began immediately after his death. In Belgium he is
known
as a great intercessor before God, which led to his cause being open in
1936, less than 20 years after his death. At Mucian Mary's canonization,
Pope John Paul II called him "the light of Belgium and the glory of his
congregation." The Belgian bishops wrote that Mucian Mary "left no
theological or spiritual treatise, nothing to bring his name out of the
shadows. . . . [he] accomplished nothing out of the ordinary. . . . He was
a
man of prayer, an apostle among the students and went about his daily
tasks
with holiness. . . . hurting none and forgiving all" (Walsh).
Bible Quote:
Do not give to dogs what is holy, neither cast your pearls before swine.
St.
Matth. 7:6
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When a monk once visited the Abbot Serapion, he suggested that first of
all,
they should pray together. But the visitor refused, saying that he was a
great sinner and unworthy to wear the habit. A little while after, the
Abbot
addressed him thus: "My brother, if you wish to become perfect, remain at
work in your cell and do not talk much, for going about a great deal is
not
desirable for you" At these words the monk was not a little perturbed.
When
the Abbot perceived this, he added, "What is the matter, brother? A moment
ago you said you were so great a sinner that you were not worthy to live;
and now, when I have shown you, in charity, what you need, are you angry?
From this, it would seem that your humility is not genuine. If you wish to
be humble in truth, learn to receive admonitions humbly:" At this reproof,
the monk recollected himself, acknowledged his fault and went away greatly
edified.
The Empress Leonora requested her confessor and those ladies of her
court with whom she was most intimate that when they observed anything in
her that needed amendment or improvement, to inform her of it with all
possible freedom, as they would tell her the pleasantest news; and when
they
did it, she thanked them very cordially.
When St. Peter was reproved by St. Paul he was not angry; neither did
he stand upon his dignity as Superior, nor look down upon the other for
having been a persecutor of the Church, but received the advice in good
part.
We read of St. Ambrose, that when anyone informed him of a fault, he
thanked him as for a special favor; and there was a certain Cistercian who
was especially pleased at an admonition, and used to say an Our Father for
whoever gave it.
St. John Berchmans always entertained a great desire to have his
faults
told him in public and to be reproved for them, and if this ever happened
he
was much pleased. With this intention, he used to write them on scraps of
paper, which he gave to the Superiors, that they might read them and
reprimand him for them. Not content with this, he asked of the Superior
that
four of his companions might keep their eyes on him and admonish him. One
of
these testified that having once drawn his attention to a slight omission
into which he had fallen, on account of being occupied in another work of
charity at the time he thanked him cordially for the warning and said the
beads for him three times, promising that he would always do the same
whenever he would inform him of any defect.
(Taken from the book "A Year with the Saints". January - Perfection)
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Prayer of the graces
Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,
precious gem of God,
****ning pearl of the sky and the earth,
co-redemptrix of mankind,
Mother of us all,
look at your poor and humble creatures,
help us to understand the love
of Jesus the Eucharist.
Gain for us the graces
that each one needs,
provided that they are in accordance with God's will.
Mary, Mother of the Eucharist,
Mother of Jesus and our Mother,
we, even if imperfect,
count on your help.
Thank you Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
(At the end say three Hail Mary with the ejaculatory prayer: Mother of
the
Eucharist, pray with us)
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