Saint Therese of Lisieux

"What beauty? I don't see my beauty at all; I see only the graces I've received from God. You always misunderstand me; you don't know, then, that I'm only a little seedling, a little almond."

"You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love with which we do them."

"Kneeling before the tabernacle, I can think of only one thing to say to our Lord: "My God, you know that I love You." And I feel that my prayer does not weary Jesus; knowing my weakness, He is satisfied with my good will."

"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."

"Really, I am far from being a saint, and what I have just said is proof of this; instead of rejoicing, for example, at my aridity, I should attribute it to my little fervor and lack of fidelity; I should be desolate for having slept (for seven years) during my hours of prayer and my thanksgivings after Holy Communion; well, I am not desolate. I remember that little children are as pleasing to their parents when they are asleep as well as when they are wide awake; I remember, too, that when they perform operations, doctors put their patients to sleep. Finally, I remember that: "The Lord knows our weakness, that he is mindful that we are but dust and ashes."

"Oh! no, you will see...it will be like a shower of roses. After my death, you will go to the mail box, and you will find many consolations."

- Saint Therese on 9 June 1897 after Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart told her we would be very sorry after she died

Who's Harassing Who?

A glimpse of my summer two years ago.

Excerpt from "The Catholic Book of Marriage" (1951)

M is for MARY, the greatest of all God's children, Queen of Heaven and earth; Mother of Christ and of us. She is the model of all wives, as St. Joseph is the model of all husbands.
A is for AFFECTION. The Immaculate Heart of Mary was filled with loving affection, first for God and her Child, Jesus; for her beloved husband, Joseph, for her close neighbors whom she was ever ready to help, and for all mankind, destined to be her children in the Lord.
R is for the family ROSARY. The marriage that is firmly established on the love of Mary through the Family Rosary is destined for success. Jesus and Mary will be with it to bless parents and children in life and in eternity.
R is for mutual RESPECT. Respect flows from love. Mary loved and respected Joseph as the divinely appointed head of the home. Joseph respected Mary as the dearest woman in the whole world, dearer to him than his very life. So the faithful husband and wife never endanger or offend their mutual love.
I is for INCOME. A practical law of life is to live within you income. The happiest couple that ever walked this earth enjoyed no great mansion; they had no expensive pleasures. Joseph supported his family by the work of his hands, as a carpenter. Though poor, he always had a little for someone that needed it more.
A is for living ALONE. The Lord demands that a man "leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife...that they be two in one flesh."
G is for GENEROSITY. Love is generous. It never counts the cost or weighs the sacrifice. Love is willing to do more, and more, to please the beloved.
E is for the EUCHARIST. Jesus was the center of Joseph's and Mary's life, their bond of union and their salvation, the heart of their home. Jesus, the Author of all marriage, is the life and light of all hearts, without Whom nothing good can exist.