Blessed Feast of Saint Therese

Around late '99 I experienced a sudden impulse to study up on Saint Therese. I don't know where it came from, but I read her Autobiography and other books about her (and finally began to have a glimmer of understanding about what she was trying to teach me) I enrolled in the Brown Scapular, out of some sense of trying to imitate her, to establish a relationship with her, in some small way. Finally, that winter, I had the opportunity to pray before her reliquary during its worldwide pilgrimage.

In years past, I always had trouble with the idea of "spiritual childhood." I would think back to when I was seven or eight, remember what I was like, and just think "yikes! That can't be right!" I certainly didn't remember any loving trustfulness; by that age I was already well along in developing an attitude of outward compliance but interior alienation: give the teachers and parents what they seem to want so they'll leave you alone.

It wasn't until I encountered Therese on the eve of the Jubilee year that it finally occurred to me that she was talking about little little children: three years, or even younger. Now that I have been given the privilege of being Hambet's mommy, all I have to do is watch him to see good examples of that trusting attitude. Lately it's been medicinal kisses. No matter how hard the bump, how sharp the pinch, Hambet runs up in perfect confidence for a kiss to make it better. The thing that amazes me is that it works! Even when I know he must still be hurting, as soon as he gets that kiss he assures me that he "feels much better." I can even see him working to stop crying and calm himself down.

When I think of Therese, I also think of the amazing example of her parents. Did the loving, peaceful atmosphere they created in their home help Therese develop her spiritual gifts to the fullest?

St Therese, Doctor of the Little Way, pray for us!