Centenarian Benedictine and devotee of Newman
Michael Murray was born in Lismore, Co. Waterford, on 7 October 1918. Following the early death of his father, his mother moved with her young family to Dublin. Following school at Blackrock College he entered Glenstal Priory (as it was then) in September 1935. Receiving the name Placid, he made his first vows in January 1937 and was sent to Maredsous Abbey where he studied philosophy and began to study theology.
When the Second World War broke out the community at Maredsous (along with Br Placid) fled briefly to the south of France, returning to Belgium when that country surrendered to the invading German forces. Abbot Celestine Golenvaux, fearing danger to an Irishman in occupied Belgium, sent his young charge to Rome, to complete his studies at Sant’Anselmo. There Br Placid developed his love for the works of John Henry Newman, a love that remained with him all of his life.
