John E. Rotelle - Augustine Day By Day: Minute Meditations For Every Day Taken From The Writings Of Saint Augustine

St. Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Compiled and Edited
by
John E. Rotelle, O.S.A.

Illustrated

CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP.

New Jersey

NIHIL OBSTAT: Daniel V. Flynn, J.C.D.

Censor Librorum

IMPRIMATUR: Joseph T. OKeefe, D.D.

Vicar General, Archdiocese of New York

(T-170)

eISBN 978-0-89942-083-7

1986 Catholic Book Publishing Corp., N.J.

www.catholicbookpublishing.com

In Memory of

Father Robert P. Russell, O.S.A.,

who first instilled in me a love for Augustine

and

a desire to know him better,

and

in memory of Mr. Howard G. Cavalero,

who urged me and guided my efforts

to make Augustine known and appreciated.

An Everlasting Tribute.

Breathe into me, Holy Spirit,

that my thoughts may all be holy.

Move in me, Holy Spirit,

that my work, too, may be holy.

Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,

that I may love only what is holy.

Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,

that I may defend all that is holy.

Protect me, Holy Spirit,

that I always may be holy.

Attributed to Saint Augustine

ABOUT five years ago I conceived this brilliant idea of preparing a little book of quotes from Saint Augustine for each day of the year. Saint Augustine has much to say to modern society, so I think that pertinent quotes from his writingsespecially from his sermons to the people, in which he is so practical and insightfulwould benefit many people and help them grow in the way of the Lord.

Over a period of time I gathered these quotes and assigned them to various days of the year, keeping in mind the liturgical seasons.

I completed the manuscript and was putting the finishing touches to it when a confrere of mine, Father John E. Bresnahan, O.S.A., librarian of Augustinian College, Washington, DC, who knew my interest in Augustine, gave me two little books, thinking that I might be interested in them. He did not know at that time of my project of quotes of Augustine for each day of the year.

The books were entitled Annus Mystico-Augustinianus by N. Petrelli, O.S.A., published in 1932.The author, with different selections, did exactly what I had contemplateda calendar of passages from Augustine for each day of the year. A couple of months later the same Father Bresnahan brought to my attention another book in two volumes of passages from Augustine for each day, Divus Augustinus by Felice Mayr, O.S.A., published in 1895.

This convinced me that what my father used to say to me was true: There is nothing new under the sun. Everything is recycled or repackaged.

Both of these publications are different from my own. Not only are the quotes different, but also the basic thrust in both is diverse and the passages are much longer. Perhaps because of the times in which they wrote, the authors emphasize passages that deal with human sinfulness.

What I am trying to do is to present maxims or thoughts from Augustine that apply to present-day situations. Each thought is followed by a prayer. For each day of the year there is a different passage; there are no repetitions. The prayers, however, are repeated from time to time. Since this book is practical in nature, I took the liberty of omitting incidental phrases from the quotes to make the thoughts coherent.

It is my hope that this selection of quotes will encourage people to read Augustine daily, appreciate the timeliness of his thought, experience his perennial youth, and grow from the wisdom of this great man of God. The quotes are brief; the prayers are to the point. Just a few moments of thought each day will lead to immeasurable spiritual benefit for the reader.

The compilation of this book was a work of love for me and convinced me more and more of the beauty and wisdom of Augustines thought. May all who read it experience the same.

I thank all those who have helped me in any way with this book.

HE lies in the manger, but contains the world; He nurses at the breasts, but feeds the angels; He is wrapped in swaddling clothes, but vests us with immortality; He found no place in the inn, but makes for Himself a temple in the hearts of believers.

In order that weakness might become strong, strength became weak.

Sermon 190, 4

P RAYER. My faith prays to You, Lord, the faith You gave me, and inspired in me by the Incarnation of Your Son and the mission of Your preacher.

Confessions 1, 1

MARY gave birth to your head and the Church gave birth to you.

The Church too is a mother and a virgin-mother because she is made of love, virgin because of the integrity of her faith.

Sermon 192, 2

P RAYER. May I seek You, Lord, by praying to You, and let me pray to You by believing in You.

Confessions 1, 1

WHY does a person always praise the Lord? Because that person is humble. What does it mean to be humble? It means to be unwilling to be praised in oneself.

Those who wish to be praised in themselves are proud. Those who are not proud are humble.

Commentary on Psalm 33 (2), 5

P RAYER. Lord, how exalted You are and yet the humble of heart are Your dwelling.

Confessions 11, 31

I CAME in humility, I came to teach humility, I came as a model of humility. Whoever comes to Me is incorporated in Me.

Whoever comes to Me becomes humble; whoever adheres to My will will be humble, for such a person does not perform his or her own will, but the will of God. And therefore he or she will not be cast out.

Sermon on John 25, 16

P RAYER. Lord, You exist without care for Your own security, but are full of concern for us.

Confessions 9, 3

THE virgin Mother gave birth from her fruitful womb and inviolate body to Him Who became visible for us, to Him by Whom while He was invisible she had been created.

While conceiving, she was a virgin, while giving birth she was a virgin, a virgin in her pregnancy, a virgin while carrying her son, a virgin forever.

Sermon 186, 1

P RAYER. O Lord God, give us Your Christ, let us know Your Christ, let us see Your Christ, not as the Jews saw Him, and then crucified him, but as the angels see Him and rejoice.

Commentary on Psalm, 84, 9

HE so loved us that, for our sake, He was made man in time, although through Him all times were made. He was made man, Who made man.