Saint Mutien Marie Wiaux

Biography

Saint Mutien Marie Wiaux, born Louis Wiaux on 20 March 1841 in Mellet, Hainaut, Belgium, was a Catholic Saint known for his devotion to prayer and commitment to holiness. He was the third of six children in a family noted for its piety, raised by a blacksmith father.

Louis received his early education from a small country school and later assisted his father in the family shop. However, at the age of 11, on 7 April 1852, he was drawn to consecrate his life to God and joined the Brothers of Christian Schools. Upon entering the religious congregation, he took the name Mutien Marie and began his novitiate in Namur, Belgium.

Initially, Saint Mutien Marie was assigned to teach at various elementary schools near Brussels, Belgium. However, his gentle demeanor often resulted in unruly behavior from his students. Recognizing his talents, he was reassigned to teach music and art classes, where he could work with smaller groups and offer individual attention to students.

As a fine arts teacher, Saint Mutien Marie became renowned for his exceptional skills, nurturing the artistic talents of his students and fostering their spiritual growth. Through his example of living a holy life devoted to prayer, he inspired many young people to follow his path.

Saint Mutien Marie Wiaux passed away on 30 January 1917 at Malonne, Namur, Belgium, at the age of 75, due to natural causes. His life of deep faith and dedication to education did not go unnoticed. He was venerated by the Catholic Church on 4 May 1970, when Pope Paul VI officially acknowledged his heroic virtues. Later, on 30 October 1977, Pope Paul VI beatified him, and finally, on 10 December 1989, Saint Mutien Marie Wiaux was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Today, Saint Mutien Marie is remembered as a model of humility, gentleness, and loving care for students. His intercession is sought by those involved in education, artists, and all those who strive to lead a holy life in communion with God.