Wednesday, October 1, 2008

St. Thérèse of Lisieux



October 1st is her feast day, and as a stay-at-home mother of little children I have developed a real connection and admiration for this humble woman. She lived her life as a Carmelite nun working at the most menial of tasks. She worked in the laundry and the dining hall -- accomplishing the same tasks for her fellow sisters as we do for our young families. However, I often feel that the similarities end there. She saw this monotony as an opportunity for prayer and greater communion with Christ and the saints. She wrote, "I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul." Amazing.

So, Saint Therese, pray for us, mothers, that we may possess the spiritual calm and profound humility with which you lived every day and died.

4 comments:

Juris Mater said...

Thank you, AWOL, for this profound reflection to start the day. What a great feast day... we're off to the farmer's market to buy flowers for the St. Therese statute at church. My children especially love the "kid saints".

Red, special blessings to you and your family today as you celebrate the feast of your first daughter's patron saint.

B-Mama said...

I've loved St. Therese since knowing more about her through Red's baby, Therese. I just love that she adored snow and that on the night of baby Therese's birth, the midwest had its first snowfall of the year. God was smiling down on all of us.

Thanks AWOL for these great thoughts.

texas mommy said...

It is remarkable the parallels between a convent and a stay-at-home mom. Thanks, AWOL Mommy.

Right Said Red said...

Thanks ladies for thinking of our family. We had a wonderful day today celebrating St. Therese. She is a beautiful saint!