October 1 - the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux
In 1897, a French Carmelite nun named Therese Martin passed away at the age of 24 from tuberculosis. She lived her entire life in the remote rural home of her family and in a cloistered Carmelite convent. She left behind a notebook describing her spiritual journey and some letter she wrote. Yet, Therese is now one of the most beloved saints in our Catholic Church. Her autobiography is considered a classic in Christian writings. Pope John Paul II gave her the title Doctor of the Church. She is also one of the patron saints of the missions. We celebrate St Therese on her feast day today. We unite our prayer to hers:
O St Therese of the Little Flower, during your short life on earth, you became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of wholehearted devotion to God. Now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on us as we place our prayers in your hands. We lift up our troubles to you and ask you to united our prayers to yours, that you will speak a word for us to our Lady Immaculate, our Mother Mary, whose flower of special love you were. We ask for your intercession and the intercession of the Queen of the heart of Jesus as we pray for God’s grace. May we embody the strength, courage, and selflessness which you embodied in this life. Defend us at the hour of death and lead us to eternal life. AMEN.
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