Denomination: Roman Catholic
Welcome to St. Maurice Catholic Church. Our Ottawa parish is a vibrant Catholic community which serves over 900 families through many parish ministries and activities. For more information and/or registation, please call Claire Schultz at the parish office (224-1892).
Who was St Maurice?
Maurice was an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian Herculius' army, which was composed of Christians from Upper Egypt.
He and his fellow legionnaires refused to sacrifice to the gods as ordered by the Emperor to insure victory over rebelling Bagaudae. When they refused to obey repeated orders to do so and withdrew from the army encamped at Octodurum (Martigny) near Lake Geneva to Agaunum (St. Maurice-en-Valais), Maximian had the entire Legion of over six thousand men put to death.
To the end they were encouraged in their constancy by Maurice and two fellow officers, Exuperius and Candidus.
Their story was told by St. Eucherius, who became Bishop of Lyons about 434. Scholars doubt that an entire Legion was massacred; but there is no doubt that Maurice and some of his comrades did suffer martyrdom at Agaunum. St Maurice's feast day is September 22nd.
Who was St Maurice?
Maurice was an officer of the Theban Legion of Emperor Maximian Herculius' army, which was composed of Christians from Upper Egypt.
He and his fellow legionnaires refused to sacrifice to the gods as ordered by the Emperor to insure victory over rebelling Bagaudae. When they refused to obey repeated orders to do so and withdrew from the army encamped at Octodurum (Martigny) near Lake Geneva to Agaunum (St. Maurice-en-Valais), Maximian had the entire Legion of over six thousand men put to death.
To the end they were encouraged in their constancy by Maurice and two fellow officers, Exuperius and Candidus.
Their story was told by St. Eucherius, who became Bishop of Lyons about 434. Scholars doubt that an entire Legion was massacred; but there is no doubt that Maurice and some of his comrades did suffer martyrdom at Agaunum. St Maurice's feast day is September 22nd.
