Our Mother of Sorrows Parish in Tucson shared a message from the Rev. Arnold Aurillo in the church's Aug. 23 bulletin.

On August 28th, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Augustine, who is the patron saint of the local Diocese and Cathedral.

Fr. Aurillo shared a story about Augustine’s youth.

“Despite his talents and promising career, his life was a mess,” Aurillo said. “He was drawn to God but resisted, because he didn’t want to give up his sin. He was addicted to lust. Sitting in a garden one day, pouring out his heart in prayer, he suddenly heard what seemed like the voice of a child chanting in Latin, ‘Tolle, lege! Take and read!’”

Augustine read the passage of Romans 13:13-14 and instantly felt the pull to convert.

“He not only became a great saint, but also one of the most brilliant theologians and Doctors of the Church,” Aurillo said.

Augustine had several famous expressions. One of them was, “God permits evil in order that greater good will somehow come out of the evil which He allows; and He permits error that a deeper understanding of the truth might be one of the fruits of the error that God permits.” Another one said, “My heart is restless until it rests in You, O Lord.”

Aurillo challenged the parishioners to reflect on those words and pray for St. Augustine to intercede for us in the community to grow in knowledge and faith, as well as for the courage to live a holy life.

Finally, Aurillo requested that the parishioners keep the parish’s school community, faculty, staff and students protected from contracting COVID-19. He also asked for prayers in the religious education and RCIA programs during this unprecedented time.

“May Mary, the Mother of the Incarnate Word, be our strength and refuge in our day-to-day life,” Fr. Aurillo said.