Nine years to perfection

     What can be accomplished in nine short years that could change the world?  A presidential term?  A sports career?  An academic degree?  Possibly.

     But for Therese Martin, Carmelite Sister Therese of the Child Jesus (or Therese of Lisieux) her nine years lived in the obscurity of a Carmelite Convent from the age of 15 till she died at 24 provided for us an account of her "Little Way".  Her journals, written under obedience, revealed a childlike confidence in the love of God for her.  She learned to take God at his word and let his love for her wash away her sins and imperfections.  She encourages us to do the same.  She was physically weak and some would say psychologically vulnerable, but was a giant in that vulnerability and weakness.  She used her daily opportunities of grace to gently walk her "little way".  This simple nun, who died of tuberculosis in 1897, was declared a Doctor of the Church by the late Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1997, joining Catherine of Sienna and Teresa of Avila as the three female Doctors of the Church.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     That childlike simplicity was brought to mind this afternoon as I shared the gift of Baptism with three babies during the 4:00 pm Mass.  We welcomed twins Ella Lynn and Cullen Parker McConnell and Antonio Vincent (Nino) Pagano into the church, along with their parents, godparents family and friends ... and the parish family.  Pray for them, and all of those who are Children of God.