THE LITTLE FLOWER: ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX

🌸 The Little Flower: St. Thérèse of Lisieux 🌸

On October 1, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as The Little Flower of Jesus. She is one of the most beloved saints of modern times, admired not for great works or dramatic miracles, but for her “Little Way” of love, humility, and trust in God.

Who is St. Thérèse?

Born Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin in Alençon, France, on January 2, 1873, she was the youngest of nine children in a deeply Catholic family. Her parents, Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin, are also canonized saints. From a young age, Thérèse felt called to religious life. At only 15, she entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, where she lived a hidden and simple life of prayer, sacrifice, and service.

The Little Way

St. Thérèse believed holiness was not found in grand actions, but in small, everyday acts done with great love. She taught that even the tiniest sacrifice — a smile, a kind word, or accepting life’s difficulties patiently — could glorify God if offered with love. This is what she called her “Little Way.”

She once said:

> “I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul.”

Her spirituality reminds us that we don’t need to do extraordinary things to become saints; we only need to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.

Legacy and Sainthood

St. Thérèse died of tuberculosis at the young age of 24 on September 30, 1897, but her writings, especially Story of a Soul, spread her message across the world. She was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI and later declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, making her one of the youngest to receive this honor.

She is the patron saint of missions, despite never leaving her convent, showing that prayer and sacrifice can reach souls across the globe. She is also a patroness of France and of those seeking trust in God’s mercy.

Lessons from the Little Flower

1. Holiness in simplicity – We don’t need to be perfect; we just need to love.

2. Trust in God’s mercy – Even in weakness, we can lean on God’s strength.

3. Love in action – Every little act of kindness can be a prayer.

St. Thérèse continues to inspire countless people to walk the Little Way, trusting that God turns even the smallest acts of love into something beautiful.

🌹 May we, like the Little Flower, bloom where God has planted us. 🌹

Saint John the Baptist: The Voice Crying in the Wilderness

Saint John the Baptist: The Voice Crying in the Wilderness

Today, June 24, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist, a beacon of obedience, humility, and faith. As the forerunner of Christ, John’s life is a reminder to all of us to “prepare the way of the Lord” in our hearts.

🌊 Who was Saint John the Baptist?

Born to the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, John was a miracle child announced by the Angel Gabriel. From the very moment of the Visitation — when the unborn John leaped in Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of the Virgin Mary's voice — he was destined for a holy mission. John lived an austere life in the wilderness, preaching a message of repentance and conversion.

✝️ The Baptism of Jesus

The highlight of John’s ministry came when he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. At that moment, the heavens opened, and the voice of the Father proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). John humbly accepted his role and said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), reminding us that true discipleship is about making Christ known.

🕊️ What We Learn from Saint John the Baptist

Humility: John reminds us to recognize our place before God.

Courage: He spoke the truth, regardless of the cost.

Faithfulness: Even in the wilderness, John remained faithful to God’s call.

🙏 A Prayer for the Feast of Saint John the Baptist

O Holy Saint John the Baptist, messenger of God, help us to repent sincerely and to bear witness to the Gospel with courage and humility. May we always point others to Jesus, and may our lives be a testimony to the saving grace of God. Amen.

🌅 Conclusion

On this special feast, let us ask for the intercession of Saint John the Baptist — to ignite in us the flame of conversion, a heart that embraces obedience, and a voice that prepares the way for the Lord.

Feast Day: June 24

Feast Significance: The Birth of the Prophet who announced the Savior

HONORING SAINT JOSEPH: A MODEL OF FAITH, HUMILITY, AND STRENGTH

HONORING SAINT JOSEPH: A MODEL OF FAITH, HUMILITY, AND STRENGTH 

Today, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph, the humble and righteous man chosen by God to be the earthly father of Jesus and the protector of the Holy Family. He is a powerful intercessor, a model of hard work, and a patron of families, workers, fathers, and the universal Church.

WHY WE HONOR SAINT JOSEPH 

Saint Joseph lived a quiet yet extraordinary life, embodying faith, humility, and obedience to God’s will. Though the Bible records no words from him, his actions speak volumes. He accepted his role with unwavering trust, raising Jesus with love and devotion alongside the Blessed Virgin Mary.

LESSONS FROM SAINT JOSEPH 

As we reflect on his life, here are some virtues we can learn from him:

✅Faith and Trust in God – Even in uncertainty, Saint Joseph remained obedient, accepting Mary as his wife and embracing his role in God’s plan.

✅Hard Work and Dedication – As a carpenter, he provided for his family through honest labor, reminding us of the dignity of work.

✅Humility and Silence – He led by example, not words, showing that true strength comes from quiet faithfulness.

HOW TO HONOR SAINT JOSEPH TODAY 

*Pray to Saint Joseph – Ask for his intercession, especially for workers, families, and those seeking employment.

*Help Those in Need – Like Saint Joseph, support others through acts of kindness and generosity.

*Strengthen Your Faith – Follow his example of trust and devotion in God’s plan.

A PRAYER TO SAINT JOSEPH 🙏

"Saint Joseph, protector of the Holy Family, guide us with your strength and humility. Teach us to trust in God's plan as you did. Help us work diligently, love selflessly, and serve faithfully. Amen."

As we celebrate today, may Saint Joseph continue to inspire us to live with faith, humility, and perseverance. 

🎈Viva San Jose!

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

December 8

"Ave Maria Purisima, sin pecado concebida!"

(Hail Purest Mary, conceived without sin!)

In the Constitution Ineffabilis Deus of 8 December, 1854, Pius IX pronounced and defined that the Blessed Virgin Mary "in the first instance of her conception, by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race, was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin."

"The Blessed Virgin Mary..."

The subject of this immunity from original sin is the person of Mary at the moment of the creation of her soul and its infusion into her body.

"...in the first instance of her conception..."

The term conception does not mean the active or generative conception by her parents. Her body was formed in the womb of the mother, and the father had the usual share in its formation. The question does not concern the immaculateness of the generative activity of her parents. Neither does it concern the passive conception absolutely and simply (conceptio seminis carnis, inchoata), which, according to the order of nature, precedes the infusion of the rational soul. The person is truly conceived when the soul is created and infused into the body. Mary was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin at the first moment of her animation, and sanctifying grace was given to her before sin could have taken effect in her soul.

"...was preserved exempt from all stain of original sin..."

The formal active essence of original sin was not removed from her soul, as it is removed from others by baptism; it was excluded, it never was in her soul. Simultaneously with the exclusion of sin. The state of original sanctity, innocence, and justice, as opposed to original sin, was conferred upon her, by which gift every stain and fault, all depraved emotions, passions, and debilities, essentially pertaining to original sin, were excluded. But she was not made exempt from the temporal penalties of Adam — from sorrow, bodily infirmities, and death.

"...by a singular privilege and grace granted by God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the human race."

The immunity from original sin was given to Mary by a singular exemption from a universal law through the same merits of Christ, by which other men are cleansed from sin by baptism. Mary needed the redeeming Saviour to obtain this exemption, and to be delivered from the universal necessity and debt (debitum) of being subject to original sin. The person of Mary, in consequence of her origin from Adam, should have been subject to sin, but, being the new Eve who was to be the mother of the new Adam, she was, by the eternal counsel of God and by the merits of Christ, withdrawn from the general law of original sin. Her redemption was the very masterpiece of Christ's redeeming wisdom. He is a greater redeemer who pays the debt that it may not be incurred than he who pays after it has fallen on the debtor.

(Immaculate Conception, Catholic Encyclopedia, newadvent.org)

Such is the meaning of the term "Immaculate Conception."

REFLECTION:

We are not like Mary who was conceived without original sin. But we are all like Mary who is loved by God so much. This love of God made us all sharers in the Kingdom of God. This celebration is all about LOVE. Mary’s Immaculate Conception was not only about the LOVE of God for her but also about the LOVE of God for US! Because, it is in the Immaculate Conception of Mary where the Hope of Salvation of humankind was realized. Behold the woman who was prepared to be pure from the beginning to bear Christ, to bear God. 

This celebration calls all of us to remember the moment where our original was cleansed, our baptism. When we were baptized, we received Christ. Now, like Mary, we are called to bring Christ to anyone who needs Him. We are not only baptized and cleansed just for ourselves but, for us to become a living witnesses of God’s love to our neighbors.

PRAYER:

Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by His death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin. Amen.

HAIL MARY 

FULL OF GRACE 

THE LORD IS WITH YOU 

BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB JESUS. 

HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH.

AMEN