How His Disciple Maurus Walked on the Water

      One day as venerable Benedict was in his cell, the aforesaid young Placidus, a monk of the holy man, went out to the lake to get water and, letting down the bucket to take up water, by chance fell in himself after it and was presently carried away by the stream. This accident was at the same time revealed to the man of God in his cell, who quickly called Maurus, saying, “Run, Brother Maurus, for the child who went to get water has fallen into the lake, and the stream hath carried him a great way.” A wonderful thing and not heard of since the time of Peter the Apostle! Maurus, having asked and received his benediction, upon the command of his superior, went forth in haste, and being come to the place to which the child was driven by the stream, thinking he still went on dry land, he ran upon the water, took him by the hair of the head and returned speedily back. No sooner had he set foot upon firm ground when he came to himself and, perceiving that he had gone upon the water, was much astonished and wondered how he had done that.

      So, returning to his superior, he related what had happened, which the venerable man Benedict ascribed to Maurus’ prompt obedience, and not to his own merits; but contrariwise, Maurus attributed it wholly to his command, not imputing any virtue to himself in that which he had done unwittingly. This humble and charitable contention the child Placidus, who was saved, was to decide, for he said, “When I was drawn out of the water, I saw my abbot’s garments over my head and imagined that he had drawn me out.”

— St. Gregory the Great, The Life of St. Benedict —