Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (October 1, 2022): JB 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; PS 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130; LK 10:17-24
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
St. Thérèse was canonized in 1925. She is, along with St. Francis Xavier, co-patron of the Missions and missionaries.
This day celebrates the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, France, who from childhood devoted herself to returning God’s love with gratitude and generosity. Born into a middle class family in the Normandy district of France in 1873, she and her sisters were raised by parents intent on living their Catholic faith and sharing it with their children. Thérèse entered the Carmelite convent at Lisieux when she was only 15. Two of her sisters were already there. Although she experienced periods of spiritual dryness, she persisted in her efforts to serve God and His children in her silent, isolated existence with her whole heart and soul. She eventually developed her Little Way of approaching every moment of life with the intention of worshipping God and doing good for others in any and all circumstances. She had a particular zeal for praying for priests and missionaries. Thérèse even hoped to be a missionary herself but was prevented by the discovery of tuberculosis. At the direction of her sister Pauline, who was Prioress of the convent, she wrote her autobiography during the last two years of her life. “The Story of a Soul” was published after her death and became and remains a popular work of spiritual literature. St. Thérèse was canonized in 1925. She is, along with St. Francis Xavier, co-patron of the Missions and missionaries. In 1997, one hundred years after her death, she was named a Doctor of the Church.
In his encyclical on Catholic Missions in 1926, Pope Pius XI, who instituted World Mission Sunday, said of St. Thérèse: “This saint who, during her life here below as a religious, made herself responsible for and adopted… more than one missionary in order to assist him in his work as was her custom by her prayers, by voluntary and prescribed corporal penances, but, above all, by offering to her Divine Spouse the dreadful sufferings resulting on the disease with which she was afflicted.” St. Thérèse lost no opportunity to help missionaries spread the Good News. Each of us has the same possibility if we choose to take advantage of it. Let us imitate her prayer and sacrifice to help ourselves and others draw closer to our Lord.
As we begin World Mission Month, let us pray for the intercession of St. Thérèse to guide and protect all missionaries, as we ourselves pledge daily prayer and generous help on World Mission Sunday for the priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders who proclaim the Gospel and serve the poor.
For resources for the celebration of World Mission Sunday, visit this website.