Roman martyrology: In Malonne, instead of Belgium, St. Mutien Marie Wiaux, of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, who devoted his entire life with perseverance and generosity to the formation of young people.

Canonization date:  December 10, 1989 by Pope John Paul II

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Born March 20, 1841 in Mellet, Hainaut, Belgium as Louis Wiaux. Third of six children of a blacksmith whose family was noted for piety. Louis attended a small country school, and then helped in his father‘s shop. He joined the Brothers of Christian Schools on 7 April 1852 at age 11, taking the name Mutien Marie, and beginning his novitiate in Namur, Belgium.

As a Christian Brother, he taught at several elementary schools near Brussels, Belgium; he was so easy on his students that his classes were known for getting out of hand.

He was re-assigned to music and art classes so he could work with small classes, and work individually with students. He soon became an excellent fine arts teacher, and the one-to-one work led many young people to see and follow his excellent example of a holy life devoted to prayer.

He died January 30, 1917 at Malonne, Namur, Belgium of natural causes.