October is a special month of Feasts. In it we observe the Feasts of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Guardian Angels, St. Frances of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Luke the Evangelist, and St. Isaac Jogues, only to mention some. But there is another Feast of a Saint about whom I have never written and would like to do so for two reasons.

Firstly, she has special charge over me. I was baptized Teresa Marie and my parents named the Little Flower as my patroness.

Secondly, we have this past year celebrated the centenary of her death. The Little Flower died in 1897. On October 1st of this year (1997), the 100th anniversary of her death will be celebrated. The Little Flower’s full name as a Religious was: Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. I am so happy to note that the Little Flower had a special devotion to Our Lord’s Holy Face because I do, too, very much so.

I call St. Therese my little sister, because I am older than she (she died at the age of 24 after suffering intensely from tuberculosis) and, according to what photos I have seen of her, I weigh more than she did.

The Little Flower achieved great holiness in a very short space of time by doing ordinary, little things with great love for God... by loving God with all of her heart where she was... in the very simple duties of everyday living. I thought I would honor her and the centenary of her death by sharing with you some of her own words. May they inspire and comfort you as they have done to many.

• To be little is to recognize one’s nothingness, to expect everything from God as a little child.
• I want to be a daughter of the Church as Our Holy Mother St. Teresa [of Avila] was, and to pray for the Holy Father’s intentions which embrace the whole universe. One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.
• The good God does not inspire us with desires which could not be realized. Therefore, in spite of my lowliness, I can aspire to sanctity.
• Love is repaid by love alone. We must captivate Jesus through His Heart. The only means of making rapid progress on the way of love, is to remain always very little.
• God alone, content with my weak efforts, will raise me to Himself and make me a saint.
• It is through prayer and sacrifice that we can help missionaries. We have only this life to live by faith.
• There is only one thing to do here below - love Jesus and save souls for Him.
• The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend You.
• Jesus is content with even a glance or sigh of love.
• Jesus loves joyous hearts. He loves a soul that is always smiling.
• I accept everything for love of the good God.
• Prayer is a cry of gratitude and love, in the midst of trial as well as in joy.
• Jesus made me understand that the only true glory is that which shall last forever.
• I wish so much to love Jesus - to love Him as He has never yet been loved.
• We can never have too much confidence in the good God.
• My Heaven is to smile at the God I adore, when He wishes to hide in order to try my faith.
• Do not be afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him - even if you don’t feel that you love Him.
• Abandonment alone guides me. I have no other compass.
• My deeds, my little sufferings, can make God loved all over the world.
• Mary is more a Mother than a Queen.
• To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.
• Everything is a grace.
• When I am charitable, it is Jesus alone acting in me.
• It is wrong to spend one’s time in useless worries instead of reposing on the Heart of Jesus.
• To live by love is to go through life sowing peace and joy in hearts!
• Far more by suffering and by persecution than by eloquent discourses does Jesus wish to build up His Kingdom.
• I desired that, like the Face of Jesus, my face be truly hidden, that no one on earth would know me.
• Jesus will reward you a hundredfold for the sweet joys you have given up for Him.
• How happy I am to see myself imperfect and to be in need of God’s mercy.
• I don’t count on my merits since I have none, but I trust in Him Who is Virtue and Holiness.
• The martyrdom of the heart is no less fruitful than the shedding of blood.
• The smallest act of self-denial is worth more than the writing of pious books or beautiful poems.
• God will do all I wish in Heaven, because I have never done my own will on earth.
• For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to Heaven.
• ...and finally: I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth.

God bless you and may there be many, many more St. Theresas out there for the sake of Heaven and earth.

September 29, 1997 volume 8, no. 19;         Sister Mary Lucy Astuto's column