aeternus

The Agony in the Garden – As our country has removed God from much of our government, banished prayer in our schools and been accepting of the culture of death, we see the agonies which we have wrought. May we elect leaders who will return America to God in order that we may live in His precious peace with freedom and justice for all.

the Scourging at the Pillar – O God, we beseech You to hasten to our assistance. Please send your holy legions to protect and defend our country from the scourge of evil and sin. Fill our leaders with a profound reverence for every human life. Remove the scourge of sin from our country.

The Crowning with Thorns – Dearest Lord, You are our only true sovereign. Oour laws have reality and validity only as they relate to You. Apart from You, they lead to destruction. May You be the true King in the hearts and minds of our president and elected officials and may we know the happiness found only in doing Your will.

Jesus Carries His Cross – Jesus was not condemned by the power of wicked people. He was condemned because of the silence of good people. Silence always helps the oppressor, never the victim. Let us pray that we may never be silent about abortion, but rather will clearly speak up to save babies from death and return our country to a culture of life.

The Crucifixion – Jesus love and valued each one of us so much that He gave His life for us. With prayer, fasting and our vote in support of life, may we reclaim our land for God. Dearest Lord, may you once again dwell in the hearts of Your people.

(Image: CARAVAGGIO b. 1571, d. 1610, Porto Ercole)

(I am sorry this post was supposed to auto publish yesterday morning but I see now it failed!)

The Baptism of the Lord – At our baptism, we become members of Christ’s mystical body. We receive the Holy Spirit and, with Him, sanctifying grace. Baptism conferes strength to resist the temptations of the evil enemy. By this sacrament, may the Holy Spirit enlighten our understanding and move our wills to effect and election pleasing to God.

The Miracle at Cana — At the wedding at Cana, Our Blessed Mother told the waiters, “DO whatever He tells you.” Through the intercession of Mary, may all in our country do only God’s will and enver our own.

The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God — The Kingdom of God is one of holiness, peace and tranquility. May God grant us the widsom to choose His kingdom and my His “will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

The Transfiguration – At Jesus’ transfiguration, Peter, James and John heart the voice of Our Heavenly Father say to them, “This is My Son; listen to Him.” May our elected officials and each citizen of our country truly listen, without bias or self interest, to God, Who knows that which is best for us and for America.

The Institution of the Holy Eucharist — In His unfathomable love for us, God remains on earth with us in the Holy Eucharist. May our thoughts, words, and actions reflect His life within us and may we bring God to every area of our lives.

Closing Prayer

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.

Most Holy MOther, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.

Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.

Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded and the He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and strength to build a new Culture of Life.

The Resurrection - Jesus, as you rose from the dead to new life, please raise all humanity to new life in You. reign over individuals an over families as well as over societies and nations. Reign in our streets and in our squares and in every corner of the world. May all on earth Your sceptre claim.

The Ascension – Dearest Jesus, You returned, after your earthly life, to Heaven to prepare a place for us. Help us to realize that Heaven is our true home. May we never take our heats or our minds or our actions away from You as we journey toward everlasting happiness in our Eternal dwelling place.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit - Come, Holy Spirit, come by the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse. Fill us with Your wisdom that we may elect a president and legislators, who place God first in their lives and who will lead us toward God rather than away from Him.

The Assumption - Dearest Blessed Mother, we rejoice as you are assumed into Heaven to be joined with your Divine Son. May we endeavor to imitate your holy life on earth by always seeking God’s loving will in all that we do. Keep us far from human ambition and self interest. May we have a lively sentiment for a sound social order rooted firmly in the ten commandments.

The Coronation – O Mary, you now reign as Queen of Heaven and earth. Pray for us, who have recourse to Thee. Crush the head of satan in our hearts, in our minds and in our government. Be our leader, may we steadfast and courageous in our battle against principalities and powers. In all the trials of life, may we keep our eyes directed toward Heaven.

Closing Prayer

O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, at this most critical time, we entrust the United States of America to your loving care.

Most Holy MOther, we beg you to reclaim this land for the glory of your Son. Overwhelmed with the burden of the sins of our nation, we cry to you from the depths of our hearts and seek refuge in your motherly protection.

Look down with mercy upon us and touch the hearts of our people. Open our minds to the great worth of human life and the responsibilities that accompany human freedom.

Free us from the falsehoods that lead to the evil of abortion and threaten the sanctity of family life. Grant our country the wisdom to proclaim that God’s law is the foundation on which this nation was founded and the He alone is the True Source of our cherished rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

O Merciful Mother, give us the courage to reject the culture of death and strength to build a new Culture of Life.

I will post meditations for praying the rosary for the intention of the election.  I found them at the back of the church today.  Our Bishop Hermann wrote a letter read at all the masses throughout the Archdiocese yesterday.  I am so pleased to have such a wonderful and truthful man of Christ as our administrator at this time while we await a new Archbishop.  Here is his letter:

“We are living in destiny changing times! Our own personal destiny and the destiny of our nation are at stake! We are living in a time of widespread abortion and infanticide. This coming election may very well be the most important election for the cause of life or death.

If you are over 35 years of age, consider yourself lucky to be alive, because up until you were born, it was illegal in this country to kill children. If you are under 35, consider yourself lucky that you are one of the gifted survivors. Over 47 million of your generation were not so lucky and were killed.

In a letter to his people, Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph wrote:

Our Catholic moral principles teach that a candidate’s promise of economic prosperity is insufficient to justify their constant support of abortion laws, including partial-birth abortion, and infanticide for born-alive infants. Promotion of the Freedom of Choice Act is a pledge to eliminate every single limit on abortions achieved over the last thirty-five years. The real freedom that is ours in Jesus Christ compels us, not to take life, but to defend it.

Together with the other bishops of Missouri, I am asking all the faithful of the Archdiocese of St. Louis to make next week a special week of prayer for the protection of human life. I am asking ever parish to offer one Holy Hour of Adoration on one day this following week for the cause of life and human dignity, and I am encouraging all parishioners to attend, if at all possible. If you can’t attend, make a good Confession or ask others to join you in praying the Rosary.

I am also encouraging every family to say the daily Rosary for this same intention. When Christian Europe was threatened by overwhelming odds in 1571, prayer to Our Lady of the Rosary brought about a tremendous victory. If they could do it then, we can do this today. With God’s help, we can make these kinds of choices. This is our calling. We are to be a people of hope. Let us ask Our Lady of Guadalupe to intercede for us.”

The Joyful Mysteries:

Annunciation – As we meditate, dear Jesus, on your holy conception in the womb of our Blessed Mother, we are sad witnesses of a new slaughter of the Innocents, the voluntary destruction of unborn children.  May the grace of Your taking our human nature bring to our country a president and legislators, who uphold the dignity and the sanctity of every human life.

Visitation – Dear Blessed Mother, as you brought Jesus to St. Elizabeth and to St. John the Baptist, please bring your Divine Son into the minds and hearts of each candidate for office in our country and every voter.  May we fiercely guard our first unalienable right, the right to life.

Nativity – Our Lady of Guadalupe, heavenly missionary to the New World, as you brought Jesus to our continent and ended human sacrifice, please continue to be our protector, defender and shield.  Teach our legislators and citizens to walk in the path of moral well-being that there may be realized in each and all the sublime ideal of one nation under God, Who is the only true governor of our beloved America.

The Presentation –  The Child is presented in the Temple because the Child belongs to God,  May all in our country deeply cherish the sanctity of life and elect leaders, who uphold God’s loving commandments.

The Finding in the Temple –  Dearest Jesus, as You taught in the Temple, please impart Your holy wisdom to each one of us that we may know the truth, and guard the truth.  May those who govern and those who vote not consider their own personal opinions or special interests but consider only God’s holy and loving will.

I have been so busy with other projects that finding time to write a few lines on this blog seems to me quite impossible. However, my conscience prays upon me that I have not spoken a word about the beatification of Louis and Zélie Martin in Lisieux this past Sunday. I know more that a few good hearts who attended the mass there not to mention all the faithful who (like Thérèse the patroness of missions who never left her convent but sent her beautiful soul across oceans to pray for the world) were there in spirit!

A friend asked me to write a bit about Louis and Zélie because, as some think this married couple were too “strange” and “out of the ordinary” to be emulated by married couples today.  However, a prayerful soul will only see how beautiful they were and how the offered everything in their lives to honor God. I am reading a short book about Therese right now. This book, The Whole World Will Love Me, was written by Dorothy Scallan and it begins by telling the short story of her parents Louis and Zélie. I recommend it (even though I am only on Chapter 15) for the honor it gives to Therese’s parents.

Please visit a wonderful website “Thérèse of Lisieux” to read more about Louis and Zélie Martin and find out how you can get your own “beatification medal” from Rome!

Here is a short little synopsis of our newly beatified…

Louis Martin was born in Bordeaux in 1823.  The son of a soldier, his family settled in Alençon, where Louis received his schooling. He learned watchmaking in Rennes, Strasbourg, and Paris. However, during his years of study, he conceived a desire to consecrate his life to God, and he applied to the monastery of the Grand St Bernard. His difficulty in mastering Latin forced him to abandon this dream. So, in 1850, he opened a watch and clock shop on rue du Pont Neuf in Alençon.  

Until his marriage in 1858, he divided his time between his business, recreation (especially fishing), meditating, and socializing.

Zélie Guerin had longed for a religious life but she was not accepted by the convent she applied to.  This was a terrible cross for her for she did not understand what form her life should take if it be not for God alone.  She resolved that she was to remain an unmarried woman and she learned the trade of a lace maker to support herself.  One day Zélie was out for a walk and she was strolling across a bridge in the town. She saw a young man walk past her.  After he passed she heard the words, “this is he whom I have prepared for you”. Their first meeting on Saint-Leonard Bridge was like destiny.  Zélie returned home and spoke to her parents at dinner about her mystical experience on the bridge that day.  Her parents were astonished.  However, Louis and  Zélie married  a few short months later, on July 12, 1858 at 10:00 p.m. at City Hall in  Alençon, and then at midnight at  Notre Dame Church. Their marriage lasted 19 years. It was marked by a short period of living as brother and sister and then, because of a desire to praise God through the bearing of His children, the couple welcomed addition of nine children, of whom five survived. 

A deep faith nourished this family and made them caring towards those around them. Zélie Martin suffered from breast cancer which took her to her next life at the age of 46 on August 28, 1877.  

Upon becoming a widower, Louis decided to live in Lisieux near the Guérins, his in-laws. From several letters during this time, we glimpse a father attentive to each of his daughters and willing to consent to their desires to choose a consecrated life.  

After Thérèse entered Caramel, Louis began to have setbacks in his health in 1888, requiring him to go to the Bon Sauveur [hospital] in Caen. During periods of remission, he helped other patients around him. Later, paralyzed, he returned to the care of his family. He died in their presence on July 29, 1894 at the age of 71.  

The disease and the death of Louis Martin are the subject of a 73-page study in Volume 2 commissioned by the Historical Office of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. It includes testimonies of psychiatrists, a physician, and two doctors from the psychiatric hospital at Bon Sauveur in Caen, and last by a neuro-psychiatrist.  Louis Martin’s terminal illness was a progressive vascular brain disease–an atherosclerosis throughout his brain which evolved over a decade. Thérèse did not speak of her father’s illness, but rather of his “passion”. She knew that her “Dear King” had not only given all his daughters to God, but had offered himself on the altar he gave to the Cathedral of Lisieux, the parish attended by the Martin family.  

This is only a short synopsis of their story, to find out more about Louis and Zélie please visit:   ”Therese of Lisieux“ 

PRAYER  TO THE BLESSED LOUIS AND ZÉLIE MARTIN 

God of eternal love,  

you gave to us in the blessed spouses Louis and Zélie Martin  

an example of holiness lived out in marriage.  

In the midst of the duties and difficulties of life, 

they sustained faith and hope.  

They raised their children to become saints.  

May their prayers and their example  

support all families in their Christian life  

and help us all to grow in holiness.  

If it is your will,  

deign to grant us the grace we ask you right now  

through their intercession,  

and include them in the number of the saints of your Church.  

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  

Amen.  

Yeah!  We made it to the festival day!  

Thank you St.Teresa who has helped to get me through the past few days of trial.  I kept thinking about her during this time especially her advice on determination in prayer. In her book, The Interior Castle (a must read)  Teresa gives excellent advice on the goal of contemplative prayer and the way to spiritual perfection. 

One paragraph which I thought of today on her feast day is when Teresa writes on those beginning prayer.  I think it is good advice to all who pray because there are times when a soul must re-remind itself about the importance of determination in prayer and determination to unite their little will with God’s perfect Will!  

This advice Teresa writes early on in her book in Chapter 2. I hope you enjoy her “symbolisms” where she compares the attacks we must face against our own will as to those of “poisonous little reptiles!”  what a hoot!

      “The whole aim of any person who is beginning prayer – and don’t forget this, because it’s very important – should be that he work and prepare himself with determination and every possible effort to bring his will into conformity with God’s will.  Be certain that, as I shall say later, the greatest perfection attainable along the spiritual path lies in this conformity.  It is the person who lives in more perfect conformity who will receive more from the Lord and be more advanced on this road.  Don’t think that in what concerns perfection these is some mystery or things unknown or still to be understood, for in perfect conformity to God’s will lies all our good.  Now then, if we err in the beginning, desiring that the Lord do our will at once and lead us according to what we imagine, what kind of stability will this edifice have?  Let us strive to do what lies in our power and guard ourselves against these poisonous little reptiles, for the Lord often desires that dryness and bad thoughts afflict and pursue us without our being able to get rid of them.  Sometimes He even permits these reptiles to bite us so that afterward we may know how to guard ourselves better and that He may prove whether we are greatly grieved by having offended Him.”

This advice Teresa gives us to “conform” our wills as being the way to spiritual perfection really hits home with me as a mother.  I remember my children being  2 years old and teaching them to “conform their wills to mine (as a mother that is…) and letting them fall (when it wasn’t too dangerous) just to prove to them how what I was trying to teach them was best.  As a mother I was not trying to be mean only to teach.  As our most heavenly perfect Lord, He obviously only wants us to learn.  He only wants to help us conform and unite our wills, our souls and our love in a perfect union of Father and child.

At the end of Chapter 2 Teresa sums up her advice regarding the “war of the faculties”  we wage against our own will and within our own person as we strive to grow in prayer and spiritual perfection.  MInd you she is using symbolism again here when she talks of “attacks by wild animals” she is referring to how difficult it is to learn to purge ourselves of imperfection. Teresa says:

      “What hope can we have of finding rest outside of ourselves if we cannot be at rest within.  We have so many great and true friends and relatives (which are our faculties) with whom we must always live, even though we may not want to.  But from what we feel, these seem to be warring against us because what our vices have done to them.  Peace, peace, the Lord said my Sisters; and He urged His apostle so many times.  Well, believe me , if we don’t obtain and have peace in our own house well not find it outside.  Let this war be ended.  Through the blood He shed for us I ask those who have not begun, not to let the war make them turn back.  Let these latter reflect that a relapse is worse than a fall;  they already see their loss.  Let them trust in the mercy of God and not at all in themselves, and they will see ho His Majesty brings them from the dwelling places of one stage to those of another and settles them in a land where these wild animals cannot touch or tire them, but where they themselves will bring all these animals into subjection and scoff at them.  And they shall enjoy many more blessing than one can desire – blessing even in this life, I mean.”

Teresa’s words are so helpful to me, she has a way of putting my mind at ease and being able to keep up the battle of conforming my will.  I believe totally in her direction and I trust that one day I will be able to scatter these snakes, wild animals and vile reptiles to all the distant corners of my mind where I will look upon them easily and without fear.  

Thank you Teresa for your great service to the church by teaching those who seek prayer and endeavor to walk the difficult road of the spiritual life.  Praise be your goodness and love as you teach us to navigate towards out eternity through determination and perseverance of spirit!  

Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

I have been troubled by the persecution of the Church in parts of India these past couple of months.  The turmoil seems to have no rational and martyrs are being born in the holy name of Jesus.  Praise be Him for whom they love so much as to give their lives!

In the midst of this most horrible mess, there seems to be new hope.  Please read below some quotations from a new saint of the Syro-Malabar Church (which is in full communion with the Catholic Church).  This saintly woman was a Franciscan Clarist nun known by many  as the “Little Flower of India”. In this photograph, devotees of Sister Alphonsa march towards her tomb at a special holy mass during the celebration of her canonization in Bharananganam, Kerala on Sunday (read more at The Hindu Newspaper online).  

I just think it very beautiful that the Church should recognize this saintly nun at this present time.  I think you will get a glimpse into her beautiful soul by reading the quotes below.  (You may find the complete article here.)

“Since only grief and suffering have fallen to the lot of my Spouse, I too lovingly embrace them, and my soul is at peace, though my body continues to be tormented. For the last seven years I have ceased to be my own, being given over entirely to my Divine Spouse. You know all that; and now let the Lord do as He will with me. It is not a cure I am anxious for, but only that His Holy Will be fulfilled in me.” Thus, behind the suffering Alphonsa cheerfully accepted is the truth of a living and loving encounter with Jesus Christ. She denies herself. She dies to herself. She forgoes everything imaginable of a personal sense of ownership or belonging. In all this “kenosis” or self emptying she gains everything in Jesus Christ. Christ takes hold of her in the true Pauline sense. She becomes a person living in Christ so that all her sufferings and pain are not thought to be experienced apart from Christ but in Christ and with Christ.

“Alphonsa, with this authentic Christian sense of the suffering from her experience of the crucified Lord finds in the painful moments of her life the sweetness of the love of the Lord, the sweetness of the Love of His heart as though like a love-laden girl in the presence of her beloved! Mystically yet poetically like a perfect cascade of love, she pours out her heart of her relationship and experience of the Lord, the experience of a soul who is in graced to be madly in love with the source of the most divine Love of the heart of the Lord. Hence she says, “I am absolutely incapable of describing it in words. I fall into some kind of trance on the nights following the convulsion. I cannot describe the visions I see during the trance. It appears to me that Our Divine Lord comes to me, caresses me and pours out upon me all the affectionate sweetness of His Sacred Heart. The whole room seems to be flooded with the splendour of God. I do not know any more details. The happiness of the moment is unbounded and limitless.” 

The personal prayer life of Alphonsa was an outflow of her intimacy with the Lord and was fulfilled in her conscious choice of making the Lord the center and priority of her life. She considered everything else as secondary in her practice of daring self-denial and self-negation. She left the egocentric eros of clinging to oneself and worldly things for the sake of loving Jesus Christ wholeheartedly. Her prayer reads, “Lord Jesus, hide me in the wound of your sacred heart. Free me from my desire to be loved and esteemed. Guard me from my evil attempts to win fame and honour. Make me humble till I become a small spark in the flame of love in your Sacred Heart. Grant me the grace to forget myself and all worldly things. Jesus, sweet beyond words, convert all worldly consolations into bitterness for me. O my Jesus, Sun of Justice, enlighten my intellect and mind with your sacred rays. Purify my heart, consume me with burning love for you, and make me one with you.” 

Bishop Thomas Pothacamury of Bangalore observes, “Hundreds of thousands of Catholics in Malabar and other parts of South India have faith in Sister Alphonsa and invoke her aid, for they are convinced that she is a person of uncommon holiness…What a power would she not wield over the minds and hearts of the Catholics of our country where her cause to be taken up. At a turning point in its history, when the Church has to face so many difficulties and trials, struggles and dangers different in character and different in scope from those which assailed her in the past, may we not hope that through her intercession the Church will overcome all obstacles and grow in strength and vigor? It is fitting that such a beautiful soul should have sprung up in the earliest and most prosperous home of Christianity in our country.” 

“Besides mental and vocal prayer there are other
kinds, which are, as it were, slips and twigs of the
principal prayer : the first is morning prayer, intended
as a general preparation to all the actions
of the day, and it may be made in the following
manner:

1. Adore God most profoundly, and return Him
thanks for having preserved you from the dangers
of the past night ; and if, during the course thereof,
you have committed any sin, beseech his pardon.

2. Consider that the present day is given you in
order that you may gain the future day of eternity :
make a firm resolution, therefore, to employ it well,
and with that intention.

3. Bring before your mind the occupations with
which you are likely to be engaged during the day ; ‘
what opportunities to serve God, what temptations
to offend Him, either through anger, or vanity, or
any other irregularity, and prepare yourself with a
firm resolution to make the best use of the means
which shall be offered to you, to serve God and advance
in devotion ; so also, on the other hand, dispose
yourself carefully to avoid, resist, and overcome
whatever may present itself that is prejudicial to
your salvation and to the glory of God. Now, it is
not sufficient to make this resolution unless you
also prepare the means to put it effectually into
execution. For example : if you foresee that you
are to negotiate any business with a person who is
passionate and easily provoked to anger, you will not
only resolve to refrain from giving him any offence,
but you will also prepare words of meekness to prevent
his anger, or use the assistance of some person
to’keep him in temper. If you foresee that you shall
have an opportunity of visiting some sick person,
you will forecast the time, with the comforts and
assistance you may afford him : and so of the rest.

4. This done, humble yourself in the presence of
God. Acknowledge that, of yourself, you can do
nothing of all that you have resolved, either as to
the avoiding evil or doing good ; and, as if you held
your heart in your hands, offer it, together with all
your good intentions, to the Divine Majesty, beseeching
Him to take it under his protection, and
to strengthen it, that it may proceed prosperously
in his service, using these or similar words interiorly:
“Behold, O Lord, this poor miserable heart
of mine, which, through thy goodness, has conceived
many good affections, but which, alas ! is of
itself too weak and wretched to execute the good
which it desires, unless Thou shouldst impart to it
thy heavenly blessing, which for this end I humbly
beg of Thee, O merciful Father, through the merits
of the Passion of thy Son, to whose honour and
glory I consecrate this and all the remaining days
of my life.” Then invoke our Blessed Lady, your
good angel, and the saints, in order that they may
all assist you by their intercession.

But all these spiritual acts must be made briefly
and fervently, and before you depart from your
chamber, if it be possible, that by means of this
exercise all that you may have to do throughout
the day may be watered with the blessing of God :
and I beg of you, Philothea, never to fail herein.”

– Saint François de Sales An introduction to the Devout Life

He who winks at a fault causes trouble, but he who frankly reproves promotes peace…

A fountain of life is the mouth of the just…

Hatred stirs up disputes, but love covers all offenses….

It is the LORD’S blessing that brings wealth, and no effort can substitute for it…

–Proverbs 10

I’m just back from collecting my son who was on his first “retreat” with his new classmates and the beautiful Benedictine Monks who teach them. They were off in the outback woods of Southeastern Illinois since early Sunday climbing rocks and praying all the hours. He said the learned how to “chant” along and I am so pleased to hear that. I will report that he looked like the scrubbiest, most dirty boy to get off the bus, but I am so very glad to have him back home!

Now, all day I have wanted to post a reminder to you all. Today we may begin a Novena of prayer to “La Madre” (as the Discalced Carmelites like to call her). The rest of the world knows her as St. Teresa of Avila. You can pray along with the prayer below which was written by a most beautiful admirer of hers, Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Saint Alphonsus centers his prayer each day on one special attribute he finds in Teresa.  It is quite a beautiful testament to his affection for her.

You may also want to listen along to the Podcast if that suits. You can listen to the mp3 files of each day’s prayers at Meditations from Carmel.

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

by St. Alphonsus of Liguori

( Pray especially beginning on October 7 and ending on October 15 , the Feast of St. Teresa.)

First Day: O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Day: O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of hope which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy holy spouse, to give us a great confidence in Thy goodness, by reason of Thy Precious Blood, which Thou hast shed to its last drop for our salvation.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Third Day: O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of love which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most loving spouse, to give us the great, the crowning gift of Thy perfect love.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Day: O most sweet Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of great desire and resolution which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa, that she might love Thee perfectly; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most generous spouse, to give us a true desire, and a true resolution of pleasing Thee the utmost of our power.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Fifth Day: O most kind Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of humility which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most humble spouse, to grant us the grace of a true humility, which may make us ever find our joy in humiliation, and prefer contempt before every honour.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Sixth Day: O most bountiful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of devotion towards Thy sweet mother, Mary and her holy spouse, Joseph, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most dear spouse, to give us the grace of a special and tender devotion towards Thy most holy mother, Mary, and towards Thy beloved foster-father, Joseph.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Seventh Day: O most loving Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the wonderful gift of the wound in the heart which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy seraphic spouse, to grant us also a like wound of love, that, henceforth, we may love Thee and give our mind to the love of nothing but Thee.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Eighth Day: O most beloved Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the eminent gift of the desire for death which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most constant spouse, to grant us the grace of desiring death, in order to go and possess Thee eternally in the country of the blessed.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Ninth Day: Lastly, O dearest Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the gift of the precious death which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa, making her sweetly to die of love; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy most affectionate spouse, to grant us a good death; and if we do not die of love, yet, that we may at least die burning of love for Thee, that so dying, we may be able to go and love Thee for evermore with a more perfect love in heaven.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen

“Have a great love for Jesus in his divine Sacrament of Love; that is the divine oasis of the desert. It is the heavenly manna of the traveller. It is the Holy Ark. It is the life and Paradise of love on earth.”

– Saint Peter Julian Eymard

Happy Feast day!

MY HEAVEN ON EARTH

To bear my exile now, within this world of tears,

The holy tender glance of Christ, my Lord, I need.

That glance, surcharged with love, consoles me through the years;

His loveliness displays foretaste of heaven indeed.

On me my Jesus smiles, when toward Him I aspire,

The trial of my faith then weighs no more on me.

That love glance of my God, that smile of holy fire,

Oh, this is heaven for me!

‘Tis heaven to have the power, great grace from Christ to win

For Holy Mother Church, for all my Sisters dear,

For every soul on earth that He may enter in,

Enflame our sinful hearts, and grant us joy and cheer.

All things my love can gain when, heart to heart, I pray,

Alone with Jesus Christ in speechless ecstasy.

Beside His altar blest with Him I gladly stay,

Oh, this is heaven for me!

My heaven within the Host safe hid and peaceful, lies,

Where Jesus Christ abides, divinest, fairest Fair.

From that great fount of love doth endless life arise;

There, day and night, my Lord doth hearken to my prayer.

When, in Thy perfect love (O moment blest and bright!)

Thou comest, Spouse most pure, me to transform in Thee,

That union of our hearts, that rapture of delight,

Oh, this is heaven for me!

My heaven it is to feel in me some likeness blest

To Him Who made me and my soul hath recon ciled;

My heaven it is always beneath His eye to rest.

To call Him Father dear, and be His loving child.

Safe shielded in His arms, no storm my soul can fear;

Complete abandonment my only law shall be.

To sleep upon His Heart, with His blest Face so near,

Oh, this is heaven for me!

My heaven is God alone, the Trinity Divine,

Who dwells within my heart, the Prisoner of my love.

There, contemplating Thee, I tell Thee Thou art mine;

Thee will I love and serve until we meet above.

My heaven it is to smile on Thee whom I adore,

E’en when, to try my faith, from me Thou hidest Thee;

Calmly on Thee to smile, until Thou smil’st once more,

Oh, this is heaven to me!

– June 7, 1896.

(This photo is from the Chapel of St. Therese inside the Chapel at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis.)