James Michael Maus was born on June 27, 1943, in St. Louis. He was the only child of Wilfred Maus and Pura (Menendez) Maus. His father died serving in World War II; Jim never knew him. He grew up with his mother and grandparents in East St. Louis, Illinois. Young Jim was drawn to religious life at an early age. He thought, initially, he might become a diocesan priest. The example of his Marianist teachers at Assumption High School in East St. Louis, however, changed his perspective. By the time he graduated, he was certain he was called to the Marianist brotherhood.

In August of 1961, he entered the Marynook Novitiate in Galesville, Wisconsin. He professed first vows there on Aug. 22, 1962. He attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, earning a bachelor’s degree in English in 1965. He began teaching that autumn at McBride High School in St. Louis, where he remained for four years. He professed perpetual vows on Aug. 20, 1967, in St. Louis.

Brother Maus spent several years teaching at schools in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By dedicating several summers to graduate courses, he earned a master’s degree in English from Saint Louis University in 1975 and followed that up with a master’s degree in counseling from St. Mary’s University in 1980.

The counseling degree enabled Brother Maus to pursue a new area of ministry as a school counselor at Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth, Texas, where he served for more than 30 years, until 2004. He worked with students from grades seven through 12, providing academic and personal counseling. He also spent a large part of his summers from 1977-91 as a camp counselor at Tecaboca, a Marianist boys camp in the Texas Hill Country. From 1997-2001, he was camp administrator and part-time director, serving mostly off-site.

In the autumn of 2005, Brother Maus returned to St. Louis and began ministry at St. John Vianney High School. The move allowed him to be nearer to his mother, who was then in her late 80s. At Vianney, he served as a freshman counselor, helping boys make the often-difficult transition to high school life. He also helped establish the “Care Team,” an interdisciplinary group of staff and teachers focused on identifying and helping students who were struggling socially, emotionally or academically.

Brother Maus retired from Vianney in 2012. He remained in St. Louis, where he could be near his mother and other family members. He was a helpful, contributing member of the Maryland Avenue Community. In failing health, Brother Maus moved to the Marianist Residence in San Antonio in 2018.

Burial was at Maryhurst Cemetery on the grounds of Vianney High School.