Maura was born in the ninth century at Troyes in Champagne. A very prayerful child, she was able through her example and fervent prayers to convert her entire family to Christ.
Throughout her life, this virgin remained devoted to prayer and was most obedient and charitable to all. After her father’s death, she cared for her mother as well as serving the poor and the Church. It delighted her to make sacred vestments, trim the lamps, and prepare wax and other things for the altar. She spent long hours in church, adoring God, praying to her divine Redeemer, and meditating on His life and passion.
She fasted twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Fridays, on bread and water only. She visited with her spiritual director frequently, walking barefoot over five miles to the monastery to see him.
So wonderful was her gift of tears, that she was seen often on her knees with tears streaming down her face out of love and joy. God performed many miracles in her favor, but out of humility she would avoid all recognition or praise from humans.
St. Maura died at age twenty-three. Her relics and name are honored in several churches in France and she is also mentioned in the Gallican Martyrology.
Other Saints We Remember Today
Saints Carina, Melasippus, and Antony (360), Martyrs
St. Willibrord (739), Bishop, Patron of Holland
St. Engelbert (1225), Archbishop, Martyr
