Child of light, as I am, I understood that my desires to be all things, and to embrace all vocations, were riches that might well make me unjust; so I set to work to use them for the making of friends. Mindful of the prayer of Eliseus when he asked the Prophet Elias for his double spirit, I presented myself before the company of the Angels and Saints and addressed them thus:
Photo credit: catholicrelics.co.uk
“I am the least of all creatures. I know my mean estate, but I know that noble and generous hearts love to do good. Therefore, O Blessed Inhabitants of the Celestial City, I entreat you to adopt me as your child. All the glory that you help me to acquire, will be yours; only deign to hear my prayer, and obtain for me a double portion of the love of God.”
~Sainte Thérèse
"Must I die of sorrow because of my helplessness? Oh, no! I will not even grieve. With daring self-abandonment there will I remain until death, my gaze fixed upon that Divine Sun. Nothing shall affright me, nor wind nor rain. And should impenetrable clouds conceal the Orb of Love, and should I seem to believe that beyond this life there is darkness only, that would be the hour of perfect joy, the hour in which to push my confidence to its uttermost bounds. I should not dare to detach my gaze, well knowing that beyond the dark clouds the sweet Sun still shines."
Monday, August 1, 2011
I feel how powerless I am to express in human language the secrets of heaven, and after writing page upon page, I find that I have not yet begun. There are so many different horizons, so many nuances of infinite variety that only the palette of the Celestial Painter will be able to furnish me after the night of this life with the colors capable of depicting the marvels He reveals to the eye of the soul
Thérèse, now is the time of your conquests. Conquer and win the hearts of the young people!
A little Child Shall Lead Us ~Victoria Parco
Your message is the message of someone who committed her life to God at the age of fifteen and whose life was consumed with love at the age of twenty-four. You can speak to young people who seek a profound spiritual experience. You know how to communicate to them the sense of a life of love transformed into a gift of self. In their search for true freedom, you can show them that its authentic meaning lies in forgetfulness of self for the sake of self-donation.The young are looking for meaningful when it is dedicated to loving, when it is offered to Jesus Christ, God's love made visible. Surrounded by violence, materialism, and hedonism, young people are looking for what truly matters, for what lasts forever, for the peace that this world cannot give. In the depths of their anguished and confused lives, they are asking the deepest questions: "What shall I do to obtain eternal life? Where can I find my heart's desire? Where can I find a cause to live and die for? How can I be holy and loving?"
Thérèse, you went through your pilgrimage of search, struggle, and sorrow. Reach out to young people. Teach them your little way to Jesus. Convince them that it is possible to hope, that the mercy of God is infinitely greater than their mistakes, failures, and sins. In possessing Him, they possess everything else worth possessing. In finding Jesus, they will find the joy of an eternal springtime, a fountain of youth forever flowing.
“Planted and Built Up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith”
- Saint Paul (Col 2:7)
WYD2011 Theme
"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." (Col 2:7)
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for August 2011
"That World Youth Day in Madrid may encourage young people throughout the world to have their lives rooted and built up in Christ."
Mission prayer intention for August 2011
"That Western Christians may be open to the action of the Holy Spirit and rediscover the freshness and enthusiasm of their faith."
Blessed is that man who hears Jesus speaking in his soul, and who takes from His mouth some word of comfort. Blessed are those ears which hear the secret whisperings of Jesus, and give no heed to the deceitful whisperings of this world, and blessed are the good plain ears which heed not outward speech but what God speaks and teaches inwardly in the soul. Blessed are those eyes which are shut to the sight of outward vanities and give heed to the inward movings of God. Blessed are they, too, who win virtue and prepare themselves by good bodily and spiritual works to receive daily more and more the secret inspirations and inward teachings of God. And blessed are they who set themselves wholly to serve God and who for His service put away all worldly hindrances.
O My Mother, how unconcious I am of your beautiful solicitude and motherly care for me. I acknowledge it with my mind; I profess it as my faith, but how little I realize it. When sufferings come and anxieties arise, I imagine that I must face them alone and so I get upset. How easy they would be to bear if I only saw you there beside me, knowing that you understand, knowing that you care and suffer it with me. The same with my joys. How much more winderful they would be if I told you about them and saw the interest in your face, the love in your eyes! It isn't just imagination; it's real. O Mary, help me to know and realize your all-embracing love and sympathy. And let me have all the trust and filial affection for you that you deserve. I renew once more my act of total devotion to you. Take whatever is good in me to use as you will for God's glory. ~Gospel Meditation
