The Scent of Flowers

St. Therese, the Little Flower, is one of the widely known saints of all times.  It is to understand this recognition as her message is so simple and beautiful yet so profound that many come to learn about her life to try to emulate her virtuous life.

Feastday: October 1
Patron of the Missions
Birth: 1873
Death: 1897
French
Cloistered Carmelite nun
Daughter of a mother who had wanted to be a saint and a father who had wanted to be monk

Therese was a pampered child, especially after her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was four years old.  Although most would consider her a spoiled child, she soon became dutiful in her prayer life.  After feeling abandoned by her "second mother" (her older sister Pauline who took the Carmelite habit), she became quite ill (many thought she would die).  At this time, she tells of a miraculous visit from Mary in which she is blessed with a smile and then healed.

By the age of 15, she had the desire to follow her sisters (by this time three of her sisters had become nuns) into the convent.  However, her age was a hindrance.  She was determined to follow her calling and went to first the bishop and then to Rome for permission from the pope.  The wise Pope Leo XIII told her that if it was God's will it would happen before she was carried away by two guards for holding up the line!

She did gain admittance to the convent within the year but her life was not easy at the convent either.  Her oldest sister, Pauline, asked that Therese remain a postulate because there were now four of the sisters at the same convent and Pauline did not want the other nuns to worry that they were trying to overstep their positions.  Therese had always desired to become a missionary however her health was too poor to encourage this desire.

At one point, Pauline asked Therese to write an autobiography about her life (The Story of a Soul is still read today for inspiration for a holy life.).  It truly became an act of penance because she did not consider her "little way" worthy of an outward audience.

All of this in her short life of 24 years!  She died from tuberculosis  She tried to remain smiling and cheerful -- and succeeded so well that some thought she was only pretending to be ill. Her one dream as the work she would do after her death, helping those on earth. "I will return," she said. "My heaven will be spent on earth." She died on September 30, 1897.

Many who have prayed for her intercession have been known to smell the fragrance of roses.  I had a dear friend who especially asked for her intercession on a regular basis and she would always havea sign of roses in some form after her prayers!  I truly believe that St. Therese has kept her promise to assist those here on earth...it seems to be her way of fulfilling her calling to missionary work.

To celebrate, we made these delicious little apple roses!  So yummy!

Also, another mother painted our little peg doll this time...so thankful to have her in our home to remind us to be holy!

St. Therese, pray for us!