In Principio

‘Life of St. Benedict’ by Aurelius McMahon – 1880 – Chapter VII – pages 65-68; ‘Of Maurus' walking on the water....’

[Saint Benedict of Nursia; V-VI Century AD; Nursia, Kingdom of Italy/Mons Casinus, Eastern Roman Empire; aged 67; Father of Western Monasticism ~ Order of Saint Benedict, Patron of Europe, Rule of Saint Benedict, Saint Benedict Medal]

“Chapter VII ~ Of Maurus' walking on the water.

THE venerable Benedict being one day in his cell, the boy Placidus, one of his religious* went out to fetch water from the lake, but when dipping his pitcher into the water, not taking sufficient heed, his body followed the vase and he fell into the lake. The waves immediately bore him out from the land as far as the usual flight of an arrow. The saint, who was in his cell, knew the sad accident at the very instant, and at once calling Maurus, his disciple, said to him: ''Brother Maurus, run with all speed ; the boy who went to fetch water fell into the lake and has been already carried out a long distance." A thing wonderful and unheard of since that instance of the Apostle Peter! Maurus having asked and received the blessing, ran to the lake to execute the order of his Abbot. Thinking he was treading upon dry land, he advanced to the very place whither the waves had carried off the child, and, laying hold of him by the hair, brought him back with great haste to the shore. Having reached the land, he began to reflect on what he did, and, casting a look behind, saw he had been running over the waves. He was astonished thereat and sore affrighted, seeing that he had performed what he could not dare to undertake if he was aware of what he was doing. Having returned to the monastery, he narrated the whole occurrence to the Abbot.

The venerable Benedict did not attribute this miracle to his own merit, but to the obedience of the disciple. Maurus, on the other hand, said he was only fulfilling a command, and could have no share in a miracle which he unconsciously performed. During this pious dispute, arising from the humility of the holy Abbot and his disciple, the boy rescued from peril presented himself as umpire, and put an end to the contest thus: "When I was being drawn out of the waves I saw the Abbot's robe of skin above my head, and it seemed to me that it was he who delivered me from the water."

Image: Fra Filippo Lippi - St. Benedict Orders St. Maurus to the Rescue of St. Placidus

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In Principio shares this

"THE venerable Benedict being one day in his cell, the boy Placidus, one of his religious* went out to fetch water from the lake, but when dipping his pitcher into the water, not taking sufficient heed, his body followed the vase and he fell into the lake. The waves immediately bore him out from the land as far as the usual flight of an arrow. The saint, who was in his cell, knew the sad accident at the very instant, and at once calling Maurus, his disciple, said to him: ''Brother Maurus, run with all speed ; the boy who went to fetch water fell into the lake and has been already carried out a long distance."

91
In Principio

"The venerable Benedict did not attribute this miracle to his own merit, but to the obedience of the disciple. Maurus, on the other hand, said he was only fulfilling a command, and could have no share in a miracle which he unconsciously performed. During this pious dispute, arising from the humility of the holy Abbot and his disciple, the boy rescued from peril presented himself as umpire, and put an end to the contest thus: "When I was being drawn out of the waves I saw the Abbot's robe of skin above my head, and it seemed to me that it was he who delivered me from the water."

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