The Little Flower

October 1st has been a day in the Universal Church when St. Therese of the Child Jesus (1873 - 1897), also known as the "Little Flower," is celebrated. This Frenchwoman turned Carmelite nun turned saint has never been extraordinary in the ways of the world. If there is any saint canonized by the Church for "nothingness," it is Therese.
St. Therese was canonized on 17th May 1925 by Pope Pius XI. During the ceremony, the pontiff explained that St. Therese was not canonized because of any apparent great deed. Rather, Sister Therese was canonized because "she did ordinary things extraordinarily well." Meaning, in whatever simple and petty task that she embarks on -- whether washing the dishes, scrubbing the floor, etc... -- she puts her whole heart into it and offers it as a sacrifice of praise.
I believe we need the example of St. Therese in our world so filled with complacency and "Bahala na" attitude. Let us beg the Lord then that we may follow the example of St. Therese, to place our whole heart in whatever endeavor we may undertake, all for the greater glory of God. Amen.

May St. Therese continue to pray for our priests and for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life.