Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: October 12
When Saint Maximilian lived: 3rd century AD
BIOGRAPHY:
According to tradition, Saint Maximilian was born to wealthy parents in Claudia Celeia, in present-day Slovenia. After the early death of his parents, he gave his considerable fortune to slaves and the poor and went on a pilgrimage to Rome. There, in the year 257, he was sent back to his homeland of Noricum by Pope Sixtus II as a messenger of the faith, where he worked for two decades as a tireless wandering bishop and the first bishop of Lauriacum (now Lorch on the Enns). His unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel and his loyalty to the Christian faith shaped his entire work in the region. During the cruel persecution of Christians under Emperor Numerian, the Saint was eventually arrested and suffered martyrdom by beheading because he refused to renounce his faith.
PATRONAGE:
St. Maximilian is the (second) patron saint of the Diocese of Passau and was the main patron of the Diocese of Linz from 1783 to 1971.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of Saint Maximilian are the curved crosier and the mitre on his head, which identify him as the first bishop of Lorch and the shepherd of his community. The book in his hand symbolizes the Holy Scriptures and his teaching activities as a messenger of the faith. The palm branch is considered the universal sign of victory over death through martyrdom, while the sword points to the specific manner of his death by beheading and emphasizes his steadfastness in the face of persecution.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Maximilian, Max, Massimiliano, Maximilien, Maximiliano, Massimo, Maxwell, Maxim, Maksim, Maks, Maxen, Macsen, Maximilianus, Maxie, Maxl, Milo, Massi, Maximo, Máximo, Maximino