Saint of the Day – 21 November – Saint Maurus of Cesena (Died 946) Bishop, Monk, Abbot. nephew of Pope John IX. Born in Rome, Italy and died on 21 November 946 in Cesena, Flaminia, Italy of natural causes. Patronage – against blindness. Also known as – Maur, Mauro.
Maurus was Ordained then became a Benedictine Monk at Classis in Ravenna, Italy. Having served as Abbot of the Monastery of Classis, in Ravenna, Italy, Maurus became Bishop of Cesena around 934, where he served until his death.
A zealous and devoted shepherd, he found the strength to care for his flock during the day, by withdrawing to pray in the evenings, to a hilltop retreat outside the City. Here, amid a densely wooded forest, he erected for himself a hermitage and Chapel. This retreat symbolically represented for him, Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, where Christ withdrew to pray. During Lent, Maurus spent each day at his hermitage in solitude, praying and fasting.
Maurus was buried in a marble tomb on Monte Spaziano, Italy next to his small cell where he would retreat for prayer and solitude. His grave was lost for many years but accidentally re-discovered in the 11th century, whereafter his Relics were enshrined in the nearby Benedictine Church. In 1470 they were again moved to the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Cesena with some Relics being enshrined in Ravenna.
Following his death, a number of miracles were attributed to his intercession. Upon arriving at the Church enclosing Maurus’ tomb, a blind woman from France passionately declared her determination never to leave there, unless Maurus obtained the restoration of her sight. Having given the Saint this “ultimatum,” she acted on her words, by erecting for her habitation, a small hut adjacent to the Church and began her prayers. After persevering for eight days in her supplications, the woman received her sight and, thereupon, gave thanks to God and Saint Maurus.
Peresevere in your prayer!
AnaStpaul 