(d.c.287) Maurice was the commander of the Theban Legion, soldiers from Upper Egypt in the Roman Empire, who were called in to put down a revolt in modern-day Switzerland. According to legend, the entire legion, consisting of up to 6,600 men, refused to offer sacrifice to pagan gods and to the emperor before going into battle, and they refused to slaughter the people there. Emperor Maximian decimated the legion (had every tenth person executed), and when they continued to refuse, he massacred the entire legion.
Saint Maurice and his legion exemplify fortitude. The virtue of fortitude is standing up for the right thing as well as perseverance through what is difficult for the sake of the good. How are we growing in fortitude in recovery?
“We are your soldiers, O emperor, but God’s servants…We owe military service to you, but just living to Him…No way can we follow an emperor in this, a command for us to deny God our Father, especially since our Father is your God and Father whether you like it or not” (Saint Maurice as quoted by Saint Eucharius, Bishop of Lyons, successor of Saint Irenaeus).
Reflection by Brad Farmer