ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN APRIL
Saints celebrated on the 14th of April
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| A page of one of Fortunatus Hueber's Saints' books, "Stammenbuch..." (1693) |
Matthias Will, is listed by Burgener* in "Saints and Blessed of the Valais Region". Born in Brieg in 1612, he showed obedience, a love of prayer and a tendency to study diligently already as a child. After completing his studies he became a priest, and as such first rector of the hospital in Brieg, and then pastor of Musot and Venthen.
As a pastor he not only shone as a model of virtue and piety, but also developed a truly admirable zeal through self-sacrificing ministry. After a shameless woman had slandered him, he was expelled from his second parish in Leut.
When the congregation later realised their injustice, they wanted him back, but he refused to heed this call.
Instead, he was placed in the chapter of the cathedral, and gradually gained general respect for his outstanding sanctity. The afflicted and sick of the plague were brought to him from all sides, and even when physicians had given up any hope, he provided remedy by prayer and the application of Church blessings.
He died on April 14, 1698, also famous for his prophecies, after lifetime's blessed work. His epitaph glorified him as a powerful exorcist, as a wonderful helper of the sick and an ornament of the church. Trusting in the mighty intercession of this pious priest, the faithful successfully took refuge in him in all sorts of troubles. His memory is blessed until this day (Burg.)
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875, p. 323)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
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