St. Theophilus of Corte
Feast Day
May 19

Patron of Those Who Persevere in Prayer

St. Theophilus of Corte can inspire the members of the MMG because of his persistence and his obedience to whatever task he was given.  No obstacle was insurmountable when doing good, no roads too difficult to travel, no weather too inclement, no fatigue too exhausting.  Nothing ever prevented him from doing what he was called to do, matter how difficult it seemed.  He had special devotion to the sufferings of Christ and the Mother of God.  He would have approved of and joined us in our prayers to Our Lady of Sorrows. He would have agreed with the MMG motto:  "It is not hopeless. We are not helpless."

Who was St. Theophilus of Corte?

Theophilus was born of Corsican nobility.  He set aside that life to join the Franciscans. His love for prayer was evident to all.  After his ordination he was assigned to a retreat house.  Inspired by the austere life, he founded other such houses in Corsica and Tuscany. He became famous for his preaching as well as his missionary efforts.

Although sickly himself, Theophilus generously served the needs of God's through hearing confessions, caring for the the sick and dying.  Theophilus died in  1740. He was canonized in 1930.

 Prayer to St. Theophilus of Corte

Dear St Theophilus, help us to continue in prayer for the souls of those we love who have strayed from Jesus and His Church.  Through your example, may we learn to find the riches of life, not in material things, but in a life of service to others.  May we always find Jesus in those we care for--especially our prodigal loved ones. Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we pray.  Amen

 Comment
(americancatholic.org)

If we expect saints to do marvelous things continually and to leave us many memorable quotes, we are bound to be disappointed with St. Theophilus. The mystery of God's grace in a person's life, however, has a beauty all its own.