Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Little Ways (St. Therese of Lisieux, October 1st)




On the eve of the Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux , the Little Flower, I asked my second grade students to tell me what a saint is, or maybe even what a saint looks like. The answers across the board, depicted someone very old, who lived long ago, and was very holy. I then held up a picture of St. Therese and told them she was a saint. The mouths dropping and eyes widening was priceless. I went on to share with them a little about her life. How she lost her mother at the age of 4, and was raised by her sister Pauline. She became a Carmelite nun at the age of 15 and died at the age of 24. She new very early in her life that she may never grow to do great things, but that she could do great things in little ways every day with love and kindness. She inspires all of us, at any age, to a life of holiness.


The Prayer of Saint Therese
May you have peace within today.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you who choose to claim it.