March 7th

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274); Confessor, Doctor of the Church; Roccasecca, Italy; Patron of  academics, against storms and lightning, apologists, book sellers, Catholic academies, schools and universities, chastity, learning, pencil makers, philosophers, publishers, scholars, students, theologians.

"The things that we love tell us what we are."

"Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards; give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside.  Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know You, diligence to seek You, wisdom to find You, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace you, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have labored in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it."

"Hold firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients.  Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church."

"Man should not consider his material possession his own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when others are in need."

"Law: an ordinance of reason for the common good, made by him who has care of the community."

"A man has free choice to the extent that he is rational."

"Beware of the person of one book."

"Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you."