The way that the good Lord always led me is always that of mercy and compassion. He would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” And this made even the bitter cup taste sweet (St Therese of Child Jesus).

St Therese entrusted her life to the care of God and accepted all the trials and tribulations in her life trusting the Lord completely. We celebrate her feast on 1st of October. Her life teaches us to look beyond our tribulations to the loving care of God.

The life of St Therese was filled with trials and tribulations. She lost her mother at a tender age; her father was troubled mentally and physically. She herself was plagued by debilitating disease. All these troubles were enough to make her life difficult to live. She talks about her religious life in the convent of Carmel that she received more thorns than roses and she gladly embraced the thorns too. The hope and the realization that the good Lord was her guide and anchor, helped her to face all these difficult situations.

St Therese teaches us to rely on the Lord who knows what is good for us and does everything for our good (Jeremiah 29:11) Even at the moments of the heart breaking experiences of our life. “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me” (Psalm 57:2). Let us along with the Psalmist place all our trust and our lives in the loving hands of God and let St Therese be a model for us.

Fr Prince Chakkalayil CST