Saint Maurice
Leader ( primicerius ) of the Theban Legion, massacred at Agaunum, about 287 (286, 297, 302, 303), by order of Maximian Herculius.
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Maurice”
Patronages on this page:
Patronages
According to Catholic tradition, as recorded in the sources cited for each patronage:
Angers
Recorded as patron of Angers in:
- Husenbeth, Emblems of Saints, 1882, PATRONS OF COUNTRIES AND CITIES.
Cramps
He is invoked against gout, cramps, etc.
Recorded as patron of cramps in:
Dyers
Recorded as patron of dyers in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
Foot soldiers
Recorded as patron of foot soldiers in:
- Drake, Saints and Their Emblems, 1916, PATRONS OF ARTS, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS
Gout
He is invoked against gout, cramps, etc.
Recorded as patron of gout in:
Magdeburg
Recorded as patron of Magdeburg in:
- Husenbeth, Emblems of Saints, 1882, PATRONS OF COUNTRIES AND CITIES.
Royal house of Savoy
and St. Maurice is principal patron of the royal house of Savoy.
Recorded as patron of royal house of Savoy in:
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1812, SS. MAURICE AND HIS COMPANIONS, | MARTYRS.
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1866, ST. MAURICE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MM.
Soldiers
Many places in Switzerland, Piedmont, France, and Germany have chosen him as celestial patron, as have also the dyers, clothmakers, soldiers, swordsmiths, and others.
Recorded as patron of soldiers in:
Also recorded as patron:
Valais
In the cathedral of Sion a magnificent chapel is dedicated in honour of St. Maurice, who is the principal patron of the Valais.
Recorded as patron of Valais in:
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1812, SS. MAURICE AND HIS COMPANIONS, | MARTYRS.
- Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1866, ST. MAURICE AND HIS COMPANIONS, MM.
Feast day
- September 22 · Traditional date, Butler, Lives of the Saints, 1812
From Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913, “St. Maurice”
Feast, 22 Sept. The legend (Acta SS., VI, Sept., 308, 895) relates that the legion, composed entirely of Christians, had been called from Africa to suppress a revolt of the Bagandæ in Gaul.
The soldiers were ordered to sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving but refused.
Every tenth was then killed.
Another order to sacrifice and another refusal caused a second decimation and then a general massacre.
(On the value of the legend, etc., see Agaunum and Theban Legion .)
Works of art
