Saint Quote of the Day: Saint Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church

The highest manifestation of life consists in this: that a being governs its own actions. A thing which is always subject to the direction of another is somewhat of a dead thing.

– Saint Thomas Aquinas

Saint Thomas Aquinas' patronage: Academics; against storms; against lightning; apologists; book sellers; Catholic academies; Catholic schools; Catholic universities; chastity; colleges; learning; lightning; pencil makers; philosophers; publishers; scholars; schools; storms; students; theologians; universities; University of Vigo.

Saint Quote: Saint Ephrem of Syria

Lord, shed upon our darkened souls the brilliant light of your wisdom so that we may be enlightened and serve you with renewed purity. Sunrise marks the hour for men to begin their toil, but in our souls, Lord, prepare a dwelling for the day that will never end. Through our unremitting zeal for you. Lord, set upon us the sign of your day that is not measured by the sun. In your sacrament we daily embrace you and receive you into our bodies; make us worthy to experience the resurrection for which we hope. Teach us to find our joy in your favor! Savior, your crucifixion marked the end of your mortal life; teach us to crucify ourselves and make way for our life in the Spirit.

– Saint Ephrem of Syria from a sermon

Saint Ephrem of Syria's patronage: Spiritual directors; spiritual leaders.

Saint Quote: Saint Bonaventure on the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Eternal and inaccessible fountain, clear and sweet stream flowing from a hidden spring, unseen by mortal eye! None can fathom your depths nor survey your boundaries, none can measure your breadth, nothing can sully your purity. From you flows the river which gladdens the city of God and makes us cry out with joy and thanksgiving in hymns of praise to you, for we know by our own experience that with you is the source of life, and in your light we see light.

– Saint Bonaventure from a work on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, font of sacramental graces and living water.

Saint Bonaventure's patronage: Bagnoregio, Italy; against intestinal problems; Cochiti Indian Pueblo; Saint Bonaventure University, New York.

Saint Quote: Saint Marianne Cope

I am hungry for the work and I wish with all my heart to be one of the chosen Ones, whose privilege it will be, to sacrifice themselves for the salvation of the souls of the poor Islanders... I am not afraid of any disease, hence it would be my greatest delight even to minister to the abandoned ‘lepers.’

– Saint Marianne Cope

Saint Marianne Cope's patronage: Lepers; outcasts; those with HIV/AIDS; Hawaii.

Saint Quote: Saint Marcellin Champagnat

Let there be among you just one heart and one mind. Let it always be said of the Little Brothers of Mary as it was of the early Christians: See how they love one another!

– Saint Marcellin Champagnat from his Spiritual Testament of May 18, 1840

Saint Marcellin Champagnat's patronage: Education; teachers.

Saint Quote: Saint Boniface

Let us pray the gracious defender of our life, the only sure refuge of those in trouble, that His right hand may keep us safe amidst these dens of wolves, and that He may guard us from harm, so that the footsteps of apostates walking in darkness may not be found, where should be the beautiful feet of those who carry the peaceful light of the gospel, but that the most gracious Father and God may help us to gird up our loins, with bright candles in our hands, and that He may enlighten the hearts of the heathen to gaze at the glorious gospel of Christ. Amen.

– Saint Boniface from a prayer attributed to him

Saint Boniface's patronage: Brewers; file-cutters; tailors; Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface, Manitoba, Canada; Diocese of Fulda, Germany; Germany; Prussia.

Saint Quote: Saint Peter Chrysologus, Church Father and Doctor of the Church

God appeals to us in his mercy to avoid having to punish us in his severity. Listen to the Lord’s appeal: In me, I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood. You may fear what is divine, but why not love what is human? You may run away from me as the Lord, but why not run to me as your father? Perhaps you are filled with shame for causing my bitter passion. Do not be afraid. This cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on me, but on death. These nails no longer pain me, but only deepen your love for me. I do not cry out because of these wounds, but through them I draw you into my heart. My body was stretched on the cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered, but of my all-embracing love. I count it no less to shed my blood: it is the price I have paid for your ransom. Come, then, return to me and learn to know me as your father, who repays good for evil, love for injury, and boundless charity for piercing wounds.

– Saint Peter Chrysologus from a sermon

Saint Peter Chrysologus' patronage: Against fever; against mad dogs.