So, here we are in October already - wow. I know according to the calendar, it has been fall season for about 2 weeks now. But the 1st of October has always been the "first day of fall" in my book. Not only is fall a beautiful season of change marked by pumpkins, colored leaves, spices, chilly mornings/nights, and bonfires, but liturgically, the autumn months mark a shift towards Advent and the coming of the Christ Child (my favorite time of year!) And what better way to prepare for Advent then by following the progression of saints' feasts in the hopes of learning from and imitating their examples in order to prepare our hearts for Christ's arrival. Of course, every month and day of the year celebrate the saints, but these months leading up to Christmas honor some of the most dear. I am going to attempt to highlight them here, mostly for my sake, as I want to add more to our liturgical awareness and celebrations this year; hopefully you readers can draw something from the brief mentions too. :)
Today is the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. One of our favorite saints because she promoted and exemplified childlike simplicity and trust as a way to Jesus and heaven.
A cloistered Carmelite nun, Therese practiced a "little way" of gaining sanctity, and expressed that one should do everything wholeheartedly for the love of Christ, even the simplest or most menial of tasks; "Pick up a pin for the love of God and consider the day well spent." She professed that without our Lord, she amounted to nothing and relied completely on Him to carry her through life.
"It is just the same in the world of souls — which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but He has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice His eyes whenever He glances down. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being that which He wants us to be."
This beautiful saint was consumed with the business of loving God simply because He is so worthy of our love and adoration, and because she so desired for others to love Him and know His love. She offered herself to this purpose. St. Therese experienced many temptations and spiritual droughts, but let nothing separate her from the Beloved, knowing that He was using her to save souls. St. Therese died at age 24, after doing much good here on earth, and we know from her writings that it was her desire to continue to do so from Heaven!
St. Therese, pray for us, that we may deepen our desire for Jesus and Heaven.
"For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy. It has a supernatural grandeur which expands the soul and unites it with God. I say an Our Father or a Hail Mary when I feel so spiritually barren that I cannot summon up a single worth while thought. These two prayers fill me with rapture and feed and satisfy my soul."
"It is just the same in the world of souls — which is the garden of Jesus. He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but He has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice His eyes whenever He glances down. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being that which He wants us to be."
This beautiful saint was consumed with the business of loving God simply because He is so worthy of our love and adoration, and because she so desired for others to love Him and know His love. She offered herself to this purpose. St. Therese experienced many temptations and spiritual droughts, but let nothing separate her from the Beloved, knowing that He was using her to save souls. St. Therese died at age 24, after doing much good here on earth, and we know from her writings that it was her desire to continue to do so from Heaven!
St. Therese, pray for us, that we may deepen our desire for Jesus and Heaven.
"For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy. It has a supernatural grandeur which expands the soul and unites it with God. I say an Our Father or a Hail Mary when I feel so spiritually barren that I cannot summon up a single worth while thought. These two prayers fill me with rapture and feed and satisfy my soul."
No comments:
Post a Comment