The Little Flower
Everyone loves St. Therese of Lisieux. She is the favorite saint of millions of Catholics, and her Little Way is known throughout the world. The saint has granted countless favors to men and women, assisting them in their sufferings and helping them grow in love for God.
Her teachings on sanctity have made her recognized as a Doctor of the Church. So many see her ideals of growing in heroic virtue through the everyday ordinary moments as the perfect way to advance in union with God.
It is amazing that a young cloistered nun hidden away from the eyes of the world can become the saint that everyone asks for help, only some short years after her death. Her witness has inspired so many and proves the invaluable worth of an individual soul, who can accomplish so many extraordinary things for God.
My favorite thing about St. Therese is her peace and joy in the midst of so many sufferings. She endured very heavy trials and persevered in fidelity to the Faith. She shows that the Cross is the way to Heaven, and we are called to embrace the difficulties we experience in life as opportunities to become holy and save souls.
I want to share a poem of St. Therese that helps us remember to take one day at a time, one moment at a time, not thinking too much of the future.
~ My Song for Today ~
by St. Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
My life is but an instant, a passing hour.
My life is but a day that escapes and flies away.
O my God! Thou knowest that to love Thee on earth
I only have today!
Oh, I love Thee, Jesus! My soul yearns for Thee.
For just one day remain my sweet support.
Come reign in my heart, give me Thy smile
Just for today!
Lord, what does it matter if the future is gloomy?
To pray for tomorrow, oh no, I cannot!
Keep my heart pure, cover me with Thy shadow
Just for today.
If I think about tomorrow, I fear my fickleness.
I feel sadness and worry rising up in my heart.
But I'm willing, my God, to accept trial and suffering
Just for today.
O Divine Pilot! Whose hand guides me,
I'm soon to see Thee on the eternal shore.
Guide my little boat over the stormy waves in peace
Just for today.
Ah! Lord, let me hide in Thy Face.
There, I'll no longer hear the world's vain noise.
Give me Thy love, keep me in Thy grace
Just for today.
Near Thy divine Heart, I forget all passing things.
I no longer dread the fears of the night.
Ah! Jesus, give me a place in Thy Heart
Just for today.
Living Bread, Bread of Heaven, Divine Eucharist,
O sacred Mystery! That Love has brought forth
Come live in my heart, Jesus, my white Host,
Just for today.
Deign to unite me to Thee, Holy and Sacred Vine,
And my weak branch will give Thee its fruit,
And I'll be able to offer Thee a cluster of golden grapes
Lord, from today on.
I have just this fleeting day to form
This cluster of love, whose seeds are souls.
Ah! Give me, Jesus, the fire of an Apostle
Just for today.
O Immaculate Virgin! Thou art my Sweet Star
Giving Jesus to me and uniting me to Him.
O Mother! Let me rest under thy veil
Just for today.
My Holy Guardian Angel, cover me with thy wing.
With thy fire, light the road that I'm taking.
Come direct my steps, help me, I call upon thee
Just for today.
Lord, I want to see Thee without veils, without clouds,
But still exiled, far from Thee, I languish.
May Thy lovable Face not be hidden from me
Just for today.
Soon I'll fly away to speak Thy praises
When the day without sunset will dawn on my soul.
Then I'll sing on the Angels' lyre
The Eternal Today!
(Taken from The Poetry of St Therese of Lisieux)
Happy Feast of St. Therese!