Mutien-Marie Wiaux was a Belgian member of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools who lived from 1841 to 1917. Born Louis-Joseph Wiaux in Mellet, he eventually joined the religious order in Namur, taking the name Mutien-Marie. He spent nearly six decades teaching at a boarding school in Malonne, where he served as a teacher of music and art. Known for his patient and pious nature, he was eventually recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church for his dedicated life of service and prayer.
Life and service
After finding himself unsuited for his father's blacksmith trade, Wiaux entered the novitiate of the Christian Brothers in 1856. He spent most of his teaching career at the Institut Saint-Berthuin in Malonne. Although he initially struggled to manage his students, he eventually became an effective educator and prefect of discipline. He was highly regarded for his kindness, often assisting travelers or comforting students, and dedicated much of his free time to prayer.
Veneration
Following his death in 1917, many people began visiting his grave, seeking his intercession. His remains were moved to a more accessible tomb near the local parish church in 1926 to accommodate pilgrims. He was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1977 and later canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1989. A shrine was established in his honor in 1980, housing his remains in a marble tomb.