Saint of the Day – 16 December – St Macarius (Died 1005) Abbot of Collesano, Ascetic, spiritual guide, a man of great humility and charity, miracle-worker. Born of Italian and Greek heritage in the 9th Century.
Macarius’ life is linked to that of his father, Christopher and his brother, Saba. Christopher, having taken refuge in the Monastery of San Filippo d’Agira at the foot of Mount Etna, received the Habit from the Abbot Nicephorus, who authorised him to lead a Hermit’s life in the forest of San Michele di Crisma. There he was joined by his wife Cali and his sons Saba and Macario, who all took the monastic Habit.
A severe famine which struck Sicily in 940-941, forced them to take refuge in Calabria; disembarking at Cessaniti, near Nicotera, they wandered through the mountains and woods until they reached the famous Monastic of Mercurio, on the north-western border of Calabria with Lucania.
Here they founded the two Monasteries of San Michele Arcangelo and San Stefano Protomartyr. They then went on a pilgrimage to Rome to venerate the tombs of the Apostles and, on their return, stopped at the Monastery of San Lorenzo, near Latiniano, where Christopher died, followed shortly thereafter by Cali, who was head of a community of women.
The two brothers, Saba and Macarius, took charge of the various Monasteries of Mercurion, encouraging the Monks to persevere in their vocation and not to be discouraged by the constant Saracen raids.
Upon Saba’s death in 995, Macarius succeeded him in the direction of the Monasteries scattered throughout Mercurion and Latiniano.
The biographer testifies to the prudence with which he governed, his profound humility and, above all, his great purity. To these virtues he combined the exercise of that excessive corporal rigour which characterised the Italo-Greek Monks of the time.
He performed many miracles, causing his cell to become a destination for pilgrims of all kinds.
His life ended ten years after that of his brother, on 16 December 1005. St Macarius is remembered on this day by both the Roman and Greek Monks.
AnaStpaul 