Bishops have them. Many popes, too. Some are in Latin, while others are in the vernacular. Often they are incorporated into a coat of arms. They are called “mottos.” The motto of Cardinal George is “Christo Gloria in Ecclesia” (To Christ be glory in the Church”) which is inspired by Heb 13:20 and by the motto of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Bishop Daniel Conlon of Joliet’s is “take courage.” Many will recall that Pope John Paul II used “Totus Tuus” as his motto. By it he lovingly dedicated himself to the Blessed Mother: “Totally yours.” Father Jovian Lang in his Dictionary of the Liturgy writes; “[An ecclesiastical] motto is a brief sentence by which the owner … expresses a high thought that he intends to make his rule of life.” Many saints embraced aphorisms, as well. St. Josemaria Escriva’s personal motto was Deo omnis gloria, “to God be all glory.” Religious orders have mottos. St. Ignatius Loyola chose a motto for his Society of Jesus, i.e. the Jesuits. He told them to do all “for the greater glory of God,” ad maiorem Dei gloriam. As aphorisms are helpful for bishops, saints and religious orders, they can also be helpful for you and me. Adolph Tanquerey in “The Spiritual Life” writes: “We must … aim at burying deep into our souls some directing thoughts, and then embody them in a maxim that makes them real and keeps them before our mind, such as: ‘My God and my all! … God alone suffices! … To be with Jesus is a sweet paradise!’ With a motto of this kind, we shall more easily triumph over ill-ordered passions and make a right use of well-ordered one” (no. 798). I’ve found that the use of personal maxims and prayerful ejaculations have been very helpful in my spiritual development. For a time I adopted the scriptural phrase from Lk 18:41 Domine ut videam (“Lord, that I might see”) as my motto. It encouraged me to seek God’s guidance in decision making. Before I started a task, went to a meeting, or began to write a letter or an article, I’d turn my thoughts to our Lord and say, “Lord that I might see!”— see God’s plan, see where the Holy Spirit would direct me, see where our Lord wanted me to go. It was a tremendous help in training myself to seek God in all circumstances. At another time, I regularly encouraged myself by repeating the sentence, “Lord, I want to know, love, and serve You in the heart of the Church.” This too helped me to keep on the right track and seek first God’s Kingdom in all things. Find a motto How do you find your motto? First, examine yourself. Where is God moving in your life right now? Is there a virtue He wants you to develop? Perhaps it is trust in God or greater charity. Are you “hearing” that still small voice (see 1 Kgs 19:12) in your soul calling you onward as a Christian? When you have identified the topic, find a phrase or brief sentence that embodies the thought. You may find it within Scripture. It may be a phrase that brings to your mind a story or longer passage in Scripture. For example, the phrase “Domine, ut videam” is taken from the story of Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus asked the man what he wanted and the blind beggar responded, “Lord that I might see!” and Jesus gave new sight. So when I called that one phrase to mind, it was in the context of that longer story and how it applied to my situation. You may also find that someone else’s motto fits your situation. Someone who is struggling with submission to church teaching could adopt the motto of Pope John XXIII: Obedientia et Pax, Obedience and Peace. Or you might identify your spiritual marching orders with the maxim of Pope Pius X: “To restore all things in Christ.” Your motto may come as a pious thought from your personal prayer or from the writings of a spiritual author. It may be a petition from a popular prayer, such as “Hallowed be Thy name” from the Our Father, which could help you in developing godly ways of speaking and acting. Own your motto Once you have found the aphorism that fits you, make it your own. Post it somewhere where you are sure to notice it: on your computer screen, on the refrigerator, on a bathroom mirror, or frame it and place it on your desk or somewhere in your work space. I’ve been in homes where the motto is painted on the bedroom or living room wall. Also, don’t just say it; pray it. Whatever that phrase or sentence triggers in your mind, take it to our Lord and ask him to take it from your lips and establish it in your heart and mind. A spiritual maxim doesn’t need to be only for an individual. A family could adopt a family motto, such as “united in love of Jesus” or a phrase based on a Scripture such as Joshua 24:15, “As for this house, we will serve the Lord!” The family could repeat it as part of their prayer before a meal, or say it when leaving or returning home. Family members might find opportunities to reflect on the practical application of the family motto during family meetings or group prayer. Also, you can revise your motto at different stages of your life to reflect changes in life situations. For example, the maxim for a single man might need to be changed when he marries. St. Paul tells us, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Rom 12:2). A motto can be a valuable tool in our response to that encouragement of St. Paul — establishing God’s Kingdom in our hearts, minds, and actions. Flaherty is author of “God’s on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action.”