My husband is the favorite of our household. All our children prefer my husband over me, and I don’t blame them one bit. He has a wonderful, positive attitude, is almost always ready to have a fun time, puts all of us as his top priority and leads our family with love, patience and kindness. Our children’s eyes light up each time he comes home after work, and they attack him with hugs and kisses. They demand to be picked up and carried every chance they get; even our oldest wants to get picked up every now and then. Speaking of, when our oldest was a toddler, he would often say “daddy is my best” and would shriek with joy each time daddy walked through the door, his little legs barely able to keep up with his excitement.
Everyone deserves to have a daddy that is their “best.” Even if one does not have the blessing of an amazing father on earth, we must remember that we all have a father in Heaven who loves each one of us endlessly, uniquely, and perfectly.
St. Paul wrote, “For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Through our Catholic faith, God also gives us countless saints who we can look to for fatherly wisdom, guidance and their intercession.
Below is a list of 10 saints for fathers and anyone who seeks fatherly love and guidance along with my favorite quote.
1. St. Joseph. There are no recorded quotes from this beloved saint, however, St. Joseph is known as the Terror of Demons. That title alone tells you all you need to know about how powerful and influential St. Joseph can be in your life. Entirely devoted to his vocation given to him by God, St. Joseph took perfect, holy care of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary. So, when you need a father who will be there for you no matter what, remember this quote: “Ite ad Ioseph”, which means Go to Joseph!
Tip: Consecrate yourself (and your family) to Saint Joseph.
2. St. John Bosco. “Do you want Our Lord to give you many graces? Visit Him often. Do you want Him to give you few graces? Visit him seldom. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament are powerful and indispensable means of overcoming the attacks of the devil. Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you.”
3. St. Peter. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:3-7)
4. St. Maximilian Kolbe. “Do not forget that holiness consists not in extraordinary actions, but in performing your duties towards God, yourself, and others well.”
5. St. John Paul II. “What really matters in life is that we are loved by Christ and that we love Him in return. In comparison to the love of Jesus, everything else is secondary. And, without the love of Jesus, everything is useless.”
6. St. Thomas More. “Every tribulation whichever comes our way either is sent to be medicinal, if we will take it as such, or may become medicinal, if we will make it such, or is better than medicinal, unless we forsake it.”
7. St. Benedict of Nursia. “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.”
8. St. Gerard Majella. “Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?”
9. St. John of the Cross. “In tribulation immediately draw near to God with confidence, and you will receive strength, enlightenment, and instruction.”
10. St. Leo the Great. “Do not hold on to the things of this world, because the goods of heaven await you.”
Thank you to all the wonderful fathers and father figures. May our Heavenly Father bless you abundantly. Happy Father’s Day!
Christina Frye is a lifelong Rhode Islander, wife, mother and founder of Catholic Mom Rhode Island, www.CatholicMomRI.com.
