One famous story about these two disciples of St Benedict is referred to as the ‘Miracle of the Lake’. Near Subiaco, where they lived, was a lake. Here, while fetching water, Placid fell in and was carried away. Benedict himself, while in his cell, saw the incident with inner vision and sent Maurus to rescue the boy. Maurus in his haste dashed out and on to the water, running along the surface as if it was dry land. He took hold of Placid by the hair and brought him to safety. He took no credit for his action, but rather attributed it to the prayers of Benedict. Placid himself maintained that, as he was being drawn out of the water, he saw Benedict’s garment over his head and concluded that it was he who had drawn him out of the water.

May these two Benedictine saints pray for us, in our own following of Christ’s way; and may God bless you this day.