Following St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way,” 100 Years Later

On Oct. 1, His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo journeyed to Carmel of the Infant Jesus in Zephyr, Ont., to celebrate the feast of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face.  This year also marks the centennial of Saint Thérèse’s canonization on May 17, 1925.

In his homily, His Eminence preached about the three loves of Saint Thérèse. Firstly, her authentic, simple and pure love for Jesus. She continuously remembered and spoke of Jesus. Secondly, her love for the Church. Saint Thérèse discovered, through the reading and meditation on Saint Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, that love encompasses all vocations. Thus, she desired to be Love, in the heart of the Church. Finally her love for the missions and the salvation of souls. Saint Thérèse earnestly desired to make others love Jesus as much as she did.  

The small chapel at the Carmel was filled with devotees of Saint Thérèse who desired to follow her “Little Way” of love and confidence.  

It is a tradition at the Carmel to have roses, blessed and distributed to family and friends present as a reminder of the “shower of roses” which Saint Thérèse promised she would let fall from heaven after her death. In honour of the Centennial of Saint Thérèse‘s canonization, the Nuns of the Carmel also made sacrifice beads, which His Eminence blessed and distributed. These sacrifice beads were used by Saint Thérèse to help count acts of charity or sacrifices, which she continuously offered to God throughout the day. Every time she made a sacrifice, she would reach into her pocket and moved one bead on her sacrifice beads forward as a simple reminder to continually offer all our good deeds to God.

After Mass, the family and friends of Carmel enjoyed a beautiful reception and fellowship in the basement hall.  

May Saint Thérèse continue to inspire all of us with her “Little Way.”