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Week Seven - 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
Come into the presence of God and thank Him for your favourite
saint or a person who inspires you.
Reading:
Even at the age of 10, Therese was aware that God had great plans for her
and she desired to live up to his expectations. In short she wanted to
be a "great saint".
"When reading the accounts of the patriotic deeds
of French heroines, especially the Venerable JOAN OF ARC, I had a great
desire to imitate them; and it seemed I felt within me the same burning
zeal with which they were animated, the same heavenly inspiration. Then
I received a grace which I have always looked upon as one of the greatest
in my life because at that age I wasn't receiving the lights I'm now receiving
when I am flooded with them. I considered that I was born for glory and
when I searched out the means of attaining it, God inspired in me the sentiments
I have just described. He made me understand my own glory would not be
evident to the eyes of mortals, that it would consist in becoming a great
saint! This desire could certainly appear daring if one were to consider
how weak and imperfect I was, and how, after seven years in the religious
life, I still am weak and imperfect. I always feel, however, the same bold
confidence of becoming a great saint because I don't count on my merits
since I have none, but I trust in Him who is Virtue and Holiness. God alone,
content with my weak efforts, will raise me to Himself and make me a saint,
clothing me in His infinite merits. I didn't think then that one had to
suffer very much to reach sanctity, but God was not long in showing me
this was so and in sending me the trials I have already mentioned.
Story of A Soul - Clarke Pg 72
Scriptural Echo:
"Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify
you …. I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from
the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept
your word…. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them
into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also
may be sanctified in truth. I ask not only on behalf of these, but also
on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they
may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also
be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory
that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we
are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one,
so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even
as you have loved me. John 17:1, 6, 18-23
Questions:
1. Have you ever wished you could follow more closely in the footsteps
of your favourite saint(s) or wondered how it is that you do not have a
burning zeal as great as theirs?
2. Therese was born to glory. Do you realise that you, too, are born to
glory?
3. Are you ready to trust in God to cloth you in the glory won for us by
Jesus and raise you to be a saint?
Prayer for the success of the visit of the relics:
God, Our Father,
You revealed to Thèrése your strong yet maternal care,
You caused her to share in a hidden way in the saving passion of your Son
and to thirst like him that people would come to know your love.
Grant, that her visit to Australia
May enkindle hearts that have grown cold,
Give hope to the young,
And bring joy to children.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Quote for the week:
God alone will raise me to Himself and make me a saint.
Week Six - 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
Imagine an empty chair next to you as you begin your prayer meditation.
Welcome Our Lady to the seat with a Hail Mary.
Reading:
When Therese was 10, she suffered a severe illness, which included nervous
trembling and hallucinations. She relates how she was cured.
"Finding no help on earth, poor little Therese
had also turned toward the Mother of heaven, and prayed with all her heart
that she take pity on her. All of a sudden the Blessed Virgin appeared
beautiful to me, so beautiful that never had I seen anything so attractive;
her face was suffused with an ineffable benevolence and tenderness, but
what penetrated to the very depths of my soul was the 'ravishing smile
of the Blessed Virgin.' At that instant, all my pain disappeared, and two
large tears glistened on my eyelashes, and flowed down my cheeks silently,
but they were tears of unmixed joy. Ah! I thought, the Blessed Virgin smiled
at me, how happy I am, but never will I tell anyone for my happiness would
then disappear. Without any effort I lowered my eyes, and I saw Marie who
was looking down at me lovingly; she seemed moved and appeared to surmise
the favour the Blessed Virgin had given me. Ah! it was really to her, to
her touching prayers that I owed the grace of the Queen of heaven's smile.
Seeing my gaze fixed on the Blessed Virgin, she cried out: "Therese
is cured!" Yes, the little flower was going to be born again to life,
and the luminous Ray that had warmed her again was not to stop its favours;
the Ray did not act all at once, but sweetly and gently it raised the little
flower and strengthened her in such a way that five years later she was
expanding on the fertile mountain of Carmel." Story of a Soul
(Clarke) pp 65-66
Scriptural Echo:
...there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there
and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of
wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother
of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn
to me?' My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants, 'Do
whatever he tells you.' ……. Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill
the jars with water', and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out
now,' he told them 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward
tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. (John 2:1-9 Jer. Bible)
Questions:
1.Recall a time when you had a great need and were helped by a friend or
relative.
2.Are there areas in your life now in need of healing? Imagine Mary's smile
being directed towards this need.
Prayer for the success of the visit of the relics:
God, Our Father,
You revealed to Thèrése your strong yet maternal care,
You caused her to share in a hidden way in the saving passion of your Son
and to thirst like him that people would come to know your love.
Grant, that her visit to Australia
May enkindle hearts that have grown cold,
Give hope to the young,
And bring joy to children.
We make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Quote for the week:
The Blessed Virgin smiled at me, how happy I am.
Week 5 - 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
Close your eyes, relax and listen to the sounds around you, as Thèrése
does in the passage. May each sound deepen your awareness that God is near
to you.
Reading:
Thèrése recalls how nature brought her into the presence
of God and caused her to meditate and pray.
"They were beautiful days for me; those days,
when my "dear King" took me fishing with him. I was very fond
of the countryside, flowers, birds, etc. Sometimes I would try to fish
with my little line, but I preferred to go alone and sit down on the grass
bedecked with flowers, and then my thoughts became very profound indeed!
Without knowing what it was to meditate, my soul was absorbed in real prayer.
I listened to distant sounds, the murmuring of the wind, etc. At times,
the indistinct notes of some military music reached me where I was, filling
my heart with a sweet melancholy. Earth then seemed to be a place of exile
and I could dream only of heaven.
The afternoon sped by quickly and soon we had to return to Les Buissonnets.
Before leaving, I would take the lunch I had brought in my little basket.
The beautiful bread and jam you had prepared had changed its appearance:
instead of the lively colours it had earlier, I now saw only a light rosy
tint and the bread had become old and crumbled. Earth again seemed a sad
place and I understood that in heaven alone joy will be without any clouds.
Speaking of clouds, I remember one day when the beautiful blue sky became
suddenly overcast and soon the thunder began to roll and the lightening
to flash through the dark clouds. I saw it strike a short distance away,
and, far from being frightened, I was thrilled with delight because God
seemed to be so close.
Scriptural Echo:
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you. Psalm 73:25
Questions:
1. Can I recall a beautiful day when God seemed near to me?
2. How did I sense God then - by sound, sight, touch, fragrance or taste?
3. What can I do to be aware that God is close to me in the daily happenings
of my life?
Quote for the week:
I understood that in heaven alone joy will be without any clouds.
Week 4 - 30th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
As you quieten yourself for prayer, let go of the worries and regrets
that weigh you down and enter into the "now" of God's presence.
Reading:
A little incident of childish selfishness takes on a deep significance
for Thèrése in her later life.
"One day, Leonie, thinking she was too big to
be playing any longer with dolls, came to us with a basket filled with
dresses and pretty pieces for making others; her doll was resting on top.
"Here, my little sisters, choose; I'm giving you all this." Céline
stretched out her hand and took a little ball of wool, which pleased her.
After a moment's reflection, I stretched out mine saying: "I choose
all!" and I took the basket without further ceremony. Those who witnessed
the scene saw nothing wrong and even Céline herself didn't dream
of complaining (besides, she had all sorts of toys, her godfather gave
her lots of presents, and Louise found ways of getting her everything she
desired).
This little incident of my childhood is a summary of my whole life; later
on when perfection was set before me, I understood that to become a saint
one had to suffer much, seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and
forget self. I understood, too there were many degrees of perfection and
each soul was free to respond to the advances of Our Lord, to do little
or much for Him, in a word, to choose among the sacrifices He was asking.
Then, as in the days of my childhood, I cried out: "My God 'I choose
all!' I don't want to be a saint by halves, I'm not afraid to suffer for
You, I fear only one thing: to keep my own will; so take it, for 'I choose
all' that You will.
Scriptural Echo:
"… when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices
and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, 'See, God,
I have come to do your will, O God… " Heb 10,5-7
Questions:
1. What does Thèrése understand when she looks back on the
little incident from childhood?
2. What "advances" is the Lord making towards me at this moment
in my life?
Quote for the week:
"Our Lord is occupied particularly with each
soul.
As though there were no others like it."
Week Three - 29th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
When you make the sign of the cross, become aware of God's
Presence; the help of Jesus, the love of the Father
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Ask them to help you to pray.
Reading:
Therese reflects as a young nun of 22 on how God has matured her and
made her beautiful through overcoming the difficulties she encountered,
with His help.
"…It is not, then, my life properly so called
that I am going to write: it is my thought on the graces God deigned to
grant me. I find myself at a period in my life when I can cast a glance
upon the past: my soul has matured in the crucible of exterior and interior
trials. And now, like a flower strengthened by the storm, I can raise my
head and see the words of Psalm 22 realised in me: "The Lord is my
shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He
leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. Even though I walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me…(Ps.
22, 1-4). To me the Lord has always been: "merciful and good, slow
to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Ps 102,8). …
It seems to me that if a little flower could speak, it would tell simply
what God has done for it without trying to hide its blessings. It would
not say, under the pretext of a false humility, it is not beautiful or
without perfume, that the sun has taken away its splendour and the storm
has broken its stem when it knows that all this is untrue. The flower about
to tell her story rejoices at having to publish the totally gratuitous
gifts of Jesus. She knows that nothing, in herself, was capable of attracting
the divine glances, and His mercy alone brought about everything that is
good in her." (The Story of a Soul)
Scriptural Echo:
Ps. 22(23) as in the text
Ps 102 (101), as in the text plus vv. 9-14:
He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever.
He does not deal with us according to our sins
Nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
So the LORD has compassion for those who fear him.
Questions:
- How does Therese look back from this point in her life?
- If I look back in this way at my life, what do I see?
- Where do I see the totally gratuitous (free) gifts of Jesus in my life?
Quote for the Week:
"…if a little flower could speak,
it would tell simply what God
has done for it."
Week Two - 28th Week in Ordinary Time, Year C
Preparation:
Try to have a place of prayer. Make it welcoming. It could be a corner
of the bedroom. When you come there it will call you to prayer.
Reading:
Looking back on her own life, the young Carmelite nun is moved to wonder
at the providential care of God the Father for simple souls such as hers.
"I understood, too, that Our Lord's love is revealed
as perfectly in the most simple soul that resists His grace in nothing
as in the most excellent soul; in fact, since the nature of love is to
humble oneself, if all souls resembled those of the holy Doctors who illumined
the Church with the clarity of their teachings, it seems God would not
descend so low when coming to their heart. But he created the child who
knows only how to make his feeble cries heard; He has created the poor
savage who has nothing but the natural law to guide him. I is to their
hearts that God deigns to lower Himself. These are the wild flowers whose
simplicity attracts Him. When coming down in this way, God manifests His
infinite grandeur. Just as the sun shines simultaneously on the tall cedars
and on each little flower as though it were alone on the earth, so Our
Lord is occupied particularly with each soul as though there were no others
like it. And just as in nature all the seasons rearranged in such a way
as to make the humblest daisy bloom on a set day, in the same way, everything
works out for the good of each soul."
Scriptural Echo:
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor
spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like
one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive
today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe
you - you of little faith. Mt 6,28-30
Questions:
1. What kind of people / "souls" attract the love of God?
2. What does Therese say about God's provident love towards the good of
"each soul"?
3. Is there any person / "soul" who falls outside the ambit of
God's love?
Quote for the week:
Our Lord is occupied particularly with each soul as
though there were no others like it.
[Background information on these prayer sheets]
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