1 October 2012 St Therese of the Child Jesus (‘The Little Flower’), Virgin and Doctor of the Church. Outstanding for her humility, simplicity, and confidence in God, she offered her life for the salvation of souls and for the Church. Universal Patroness of the missions. (Fr James Socias, ‘et al’ [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1657) St Therese of the Child Jesus A spirit ... makes us cry out “Abba! Father!” It would perhaps be difficult to find words more incisive, and at the same time more gripping, to describe the particular charisma of Thérèse Martin, that which constituted the quite special gift of her heart and became a particular gift to the Church through her heart. A gift marvellous in its simplicity, a universal and at the same time unique gift. It may be said with conviction of Theresa of Lisieux that the Holy Spirit permitted her heart to reveal the fundamental mystery, the reality of the Gospel, directly to the people of our time. The “little way” is the way of the “holy childhood”. There is something unique to this way -- the genius of St Theresa of Lisieux. This most fundamental and most universal truth was in a certain sense rediscovered through the interior experience of her heart and the form which her whole life took, a life of only twenty-four years. She felt behind her the memory of a child “trusting” even to heroism and consequently, “free” even to heroism. In her Carmel, Theresa felt especially united to all the Church’s missions and missionaries throughout the world. She felt herself to be “missionary”. She has been proclaimed patroness of the missions by the Church. ‘Abba! Father!’ Thanks to her, the whole Church has found again all the simplicity and all the freshness of that cry, which has its origin and source in the heart of Christ himself. Ref: Cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, 1984, p345 ‘And who is my neighbor?’ In answering this question Jesus intended to expose the selfish teaching of the doctors of the synagogue. They recognized as neighbors only their own citizens who were just, a title which they brought to themselves. Jesus replied: “A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went off, leaving him half-dead. By chance a priest was going down that road, and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. A Levite, too saw him, and passed by the other side.” (cf Lk 10:30-32) Jesus wants to show through this parable the charity wanting among the priests and Levites. How consoling to compare this situation to the infinite charity of our priests; and the laity nobly second their efforts. Jesus contrasts the miserable selfishness of the priest and Levite to the noble generosity of a Samaritan, whom the Jews would not recognize as a neighbor. “But a certain Samaritan came near ... seeing him, was moved to pity. He went to him, dressed his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own beast, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver pieces, gave them to the innkeeper and said: ‘Look after him; if there is any further expense I will repay you on my way back’.” (Lk 10:33-5) Jesus evidently wished us to understand that-- First, we should look upon all, without exception, as our neighbors, even though they may be of a different nation or religion, as were the Jews and Samaritans; Second, the only charity which is worth having is that which shows itself by deeds; and Third, the simple, when their hearts are right, understand their duty better than learned men who are proud. A Samaritan set an example to a Jew, a layman, and a priest. Jesus then asked the lawyer, “‘Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who had mercy on him’. Jesus replied, ‘Go and do the same’.” (cf Lk 10:36-7) Jesus tells us that our charity, like the Samaritan’s, should be active and generous. That we should exercise it at the expense of our personal comfort, health, even our life, if our neighbor’s salvation requires it. Ref: Cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp618-21 The Fifteen Promises of Mary to Christians Who Recite the Rosary: 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by recitation of the rosary, shall receive the signal graces. Ref: Attributed to St Dominic from the writings of Blessed Alan de la Roche, OP. (In Rev J A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, p73) Meditations on the Litany of Loreto ‘Holy Mary, pray for us’ -- Since, in the Litany of our Blessed Lady, the Church teaches us to ask this good Mother so many times to pray for us, it will be well before meditation upon her titles, to consider the great power which her prayers have with God. Blessed is that person for whom Mary prays. Jesus rejoices when his most Beloved Mother prays to him, that he may have the pleasure of granting her all she asks. St Bernard says, ‘To be heard by the Son is to be graciously heard. Mary has only to speak, and her Son grants her all that she asks. Let us, therefore, pray to this divine Mother, without ceasing, if we wish to secure our eternal salvation ...’ Ref: “The Glories of Mary”. In “Documentation Service”, V:318 Mary Our Mother “Predestined from eternity by that decree of Divine Providence which determined the Incarnation of the Word to be the Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin was on this earth the virgin Mother of the Redeemer, and above all others and in a singular way, the generous associate and humble handmaid of the Lord. She conceived, brought forth, and nourished Christ, she presented Him to the Father in the temple; and was united with him by compassion as he died on the Cross. In this singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace.” Ref: Second Vatican Council, “Constitution on the Church”, n.61 • Foundation of the Abbey “de la Couronne”, of the order of St Augustine, in the diocese of Angouleme, under the title of Our Lady, by Lambert, who was its first abbot, in the year 1122. — Gallia Christiana, t. iv. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Foundation of the Abbey “de la Couronne”, Angouleme (1122). (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.html); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html) • Foundation of Couronne Abbey in Mary’s honor. Angouleme 1122. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Foundation of the Crown Abbey in Mary's honor, 1122. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html) • Our Lady, Queen and Protectress of Nigeria. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Our Lady of Prokov (The Protectress of the Byzantine Slavonic Church). (http://www/mariedenazareth.com) • Holy Protection of the Mother of God. History of this feast in Byzantine Catholic Church. Orthodox liturgy. In 911 AD, when Constantinople was besieged, St Andrew of Constantinople saw Mary, John the Baptist, and John the Theologian enter a church in Constantinople. "She spread her cloak over the congregation as symbol of protection, and city was spared." (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm) • Holy Protection of the Mother of God. (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html) • Patronage of Our Lady. Moveable feast -- A day in October or November. (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)