St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, The Little Flower
(2 January 1873 – 30 September 1897)
St Thérèse of the Child Jesus has become one of the most popular saints. She was fully aware of the love and mercy of God. Her spirituality was firmly rooted upon the Gospel. She prayed for her family, for the young missionaries who travelled to China and Malawi, for criminals and for those on the fringes of society. For St. Thérèse no one was beyond the love and mercy of God. For her prayer unites her to Jesus. In her own words she wrote, “For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally, it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.” (Story of the Soul: p242)
In the ‘Story of the Soul’, aware that she was terminally ill and hadn’t long to live, she wrote the following reflection: “Yes, I have found my place in the Church, and it is you O my God, who have given me this place: in the heart of the Church, my mother, I shall be love. Thus, I shall be everything, and thus my dream will be realized.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux is also known for her “Little Way.” This is not some childish concept of religious faith but rather complete confidence and faith in the love and mercy of God. She was inspired by the words of Jesus in Mark’s Gospel: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mk 10:14-15).
Towards the end of her life, she wrote: “When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.” As she was dying, she could see from the window of her room the magnificent roses in the convent gardens. She has since been associated with roses.
Within the Carmelite Saints Chapel you will find a ceramic of St Thérèse created by Adam Kossowski . There is also a beautiful statue of St Thérèse along the Rosary Way and a small statue above a doorway in the Great Courtyard by Michael Clark. A statue of St Thérèse can also be seen beside that of St Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582), in the Relic Chapel; both sculptures were carved by Philip Lindsey Clark. Both were women of prayer and pointed to the beauty, humanity, and majesty of Christ
Francis Kemsley, O. Carm.
As many of you will have heard the Society of the Little Flower is closing. To meet the pastoral need, The Friars will now be offering a monthly Mass in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, The little Flower.
If you would like to include your Intentions for the Mass, please email newsletter@thefriars.org.uk or write to us at The Friars, Aylesford, Kent, ME20 7BX. You can also donate by clicking here. Your loved ones will be remembered each month in a Mass in honour of St. Thérèse. (A new Mass card is available to purchase, click flower above to see card)
