Saint Therese, we ask your intercession for those who struggle to pray after leaving the religious life. Through your help, may they come to know the presence of Christ in everyday life.
O God, who didst inflame with Thy spirit of love the soul of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may also love Thee, and make Thee much loved. Amen.
Saint Therese, we ask your intercession for those who have many years of work ahead, building Christ’s Kingdom in the world: with the help of your prayers, may the love of God be proclaimed without fear through the lives of His faithful.
O God, who didst inflame with Thy spirit of love the soul of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may also love Thee, and make Thee much loved. Amen.
Saint Therese, we ask your prayers for women who have left the religious life: that, like your sister Leonie, they may come through their grief to the fullness of joy in Christ.
O God, who didst inflame with Thy spirit of love the soul of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may also love Thee, and make Thee much loved. Amen.
Leonie’s Longing Prayer: Saint Therese, you knew what it was to suffer doubt and anxiety over your vocation. We ask your intercession for all those who are seeking their true calling after leaving the religious life, that they may find and know God’s will.
Closing Prayer: O God, who didst inflame with Thy spirit of love the soul of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we may also love Thee, and make Thee much loved. Amen.
Many have painted her. But there was one
Who drew his radiant colours from the sun.
Mysteriously glowing through a background dim
When he was suffering she came to him,
And all the heavy pain within his heart
Rose in his hands and stole into his art.
His canvas is the beautiful bright veil
Through which her sorrow shines. There where the
Texture o’er her sad lips is closely drawn
A trembling smile softly begins to dawn …
Though angels with seven candles light the place
You cannot read the secret of her face.
From The Book of a Monk’s Life by Rainer Maria Rilke.
“If thou fearest thy vow,” said the Pope, “we release thee from the vow.”
“Holy Father,” answered Clare, “absolve me from my sins if thou wilt, but never do I wish to be released in any way from following Christ for ever.”
Happy Feast Day to all our Franciscan and former Franciscan readers!
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