Br. Ed Sheehy, a professor of History at La Salle University, prepared the following brief homily on St. Mutien-Marie Wiaux for the Mass at his Brothers’ community on St. Mutien’s feast day (January 30).
Martin Luther King once said that every man (person) can aspire to greatness, because each person has the opportunity to serve. Moreover, today’s reading focuses on the concept of service.
Appropriately, “service” was a hall-mark of St. Mutien’s life. Born in humble circumstances, he spent 58 years stationed at a boarding school at Malonne. At first, he faced problems in the classroom. He was not the most educated, most talented, individual, but though perseverance and persistence served the Church, his Brothers, and his students, both in religion and art/music.
His example reminds me of the words of a 20th century U.S. President:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Thus, he served his Brothers as an example by keeping the Rule in detail. He served his students through his constancy and effort. He served his Church through his special devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.
Mutien was a man of service, sanctity, and persistence. Thus, we can pray the 2nd antiphon for his feast day: “Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord forever.”
For a short biography of St. Mutien, go to the Institute’s website: http://www.lasalle.org/English/Heritage/mutien.html.
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