OCDS Apostolate to Catholic Parishs: Part Four: SAINT THERESE

Presentation Outline: Revised June 20, 2001
St Louis OCDS Community
Clayton, Missouri

OCDS Apostolate To: Catholic Parishes

PART FOUR: SAINT THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS AND THE HOLY FACE

a] INTRODUCTION:

1] St. Therese of the Child Jesus ( The Little Flower)

2] The Little Way ( A practical way of perfection for all )

3] Patron of the Missions

4] A Saint most Powerful with God

5] St. Therese's parents, Zelie and Louis, have been beatified by Pope John Paul II

b] BIO-SKETCH

1] Therese Martin was born at Alcenon in 1873

2] At the age of fifteen she entered the Carmel at Lisieux

3] She practiced heroic virtues by word and example

4] She offered her life for the salvation of souls and the growth of the Church

5] She died on September 30, 1897, was canonized in 1925, and named Doctor of the Church in 1997

c] SPIRIT AND SIGNIFICANCE

1] St. Therese's vocation in the Church is "love"

2] Merriment is a sign of spiritual health and maturity

3] Her autobiography, "Story of a Soul", is a masterpiece of simplicity in the spiritual life

4] St. Therese is the little saint of common sense

5] When asked "Why have you come to Carmel?", she answered, "I have come to Carmel for the salvation of all souls, and to pray for priests"

d] TEACHING EXCERPTS:

1] "it is impossible," I said, " for me to become great, so I must bear with myself and my many imperfections, but I will seek out a means of reaching Heaven by a little way - very short, very straight, and entirely new

2] I will spend my Heaven in doing good upon Earth...in heaven God will do all I desire because I have never done my own will on earth...after my death I will let fall "A shower of roses"

3] To love you must humble yourself