October 1 2021 - St. Therese, the Little Flower - Whoever humbles himself like this child...

 The month of October begins with the celebration of the feast of the Little Flower, St. Therese of Liseaux. “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven” we hear in our Gospel.

Therese is certainly one of the little ones loved by the Lord, held up for all of us to emulate.

Therese was blessed to be raised in a home where the practice of the faith was practiced and cherished. In the deeply religious atmosphere of her home, her piety developed early and intensively. All four of her elder sisters became nuns, and at the tender age of fourteen, Therese traveled to Rome with her father to request, at the knees of Leo XIII, permission to enter the Carmelite convent of LeMans.

Some might say, 14 is too young of an age to commit oneself to a life of poverty, prayer, and penance. But here is the enthusiasm of a child rushing into the arms of Jesus that we are all called to emulate.

Her life of simple holiness became known to the world, mostly due to her autobiography, "Story of the Soul" which the little, humble one wrote only out of obedience to her religious superior. But in it, we find detailed a powerful spirituality of love and service.

She writes: I ask Jesus to draw me into the flames of his love and to unite me so closely to him that he lives and acts in me.  I feel that the more the fire of love encompasses my heart, the more I shall say: "Draw me," and the more will those souls who are near to mine "run swiftly in the sweet odor of the Beloved."  Yes, they will run and we shall run together, for souls on fire cannot stay still

How does one develop this pure childlike love for the Lord and for souls? Well, like a child, we have to start small.  Therese wrote, “I applied myself above all to practice quite hidden little acts of virtue; thus I liked to fold the mantles forgotten by the Sisters, and sought a thousand opportunities of rendering them service.”

The Lord gives us many opportunities, every day, to practice this way of child-like love. May we humble ourselves like the child, Therese, in so many daily acts of love, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For blessings upon the members of the Carmelite Order, and that their witness of prayer and penance may continue to draw souls closer to Christ.

During this month of October, dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, Catholics may take up this devotion with renewed vigor and trust in Our Lady’s never-failing intercession. 

That the sick and the suffering may know God’s healing and know the love of God in their trials.

For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all of the poor souls in purgatory, for the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord.