aeternus

As it was my husband’s birthday yesterday, I had to accommodate his birthday desire. This meant I had to get myself excited to do the exact opposite of what I wanted to do — spend the day at St. Joe’s State Park. Now, if you were from St. Louis and reading this you would already know what this means. But for the rest of the world, let me explain why spending the day at a Park has its down side…

St. Joe’s State Park was created on the site of an old lead strip mining site. It encompasses about 2000 acres of soft sand-like material called “tailings” which I imagine the sands of Tahiti to look and feel like. This material is created as some sort of mining by-product and is really quite lovely. So, if you don’t think too much about the possibility of lead contained in the sand then you are alright. There are many little lakes on the Park Property which are good for swimming and lots of little mountains (hills really but since we are in Missouri we shall call them mountains) and good amounts of natural beauty contained in the woods and fields. I imagined seeing hawks soaring, but I think they were actually Turkey Buzzards (YEACH!)

So, you may say, “Gee, despite the possible lead poisoning, it seems like a delicious place to spend the day with your family”. But, dear reader, that is only because I have not yet gotten to the good part…

The most important part of St. Joe’s State Park is that it has been transformed into one of the nations most exciting places to go and ride your motor-cross motorcycles and atvs. In a frenzy of motoring excitement you can ride around through the forests and over the sand dunes till your little heart can take no more excitement or your body gives out from pure exhaustion.

So, the answer is to your inquisitive stare, “Yes, my husband is a “motor-head” and NO, this anomaly did not present itself until we had been married many, many years! It started off with just a fancy for Formula One racing but when his father (who is 80 years old) gave him his old 1970s Yamaha motorcycle, well, - that was that… He was in full fledge-motor-bliss! Now, that same Father (mind you he is 80 years old as I said) is tooling around South Carolina in his latest fast back street bike and pal-ing around with a group of MUCH younger enthusiasts. Why did I not see this coming earlier in my life?  I don’t know.  What do I expect for my future?  I don’t know but please PRAY FOR ME!”

Anyway, back to the main story…

My husband gets this “fancy to ride” quite often and usually I can let him go off with our son and have fun alone. I jump at the opportunity to plead too much housework to go along on the adventure. This usually works though the boys seem greatly disappointed I do not wish to take part in their fun. What are they thinking? Alas, yesterday I could not get out of the birthday motoring, I just had to go along.

The day started with thunderstorms while I was at early mass. This did not deter our motor boys. We drove out of town and passed through several other short storms, but kept going nonetheless. As the boys unpacked their cycles it began to rain again. I stayed in the car thinking it would pass as they rode off into the sand dunes. When our little one wanted to go over to the lake and look for frogs and turtles I decided the rain had stopped enough to chance it. I took a copy of a new book on St. Therese and a couple of towels, my lawn chair and headed off. As I sat down in my chair, the rain started again.

“Oh Therese,” I said in sadness and woe at being trapped at this park of motorcycle madness, “only you can make this rain stop so your book will not get wet and I can try to enjoy this day!”

As I said this exclamatory prayer it INSTANTLY stopped raining. I’m not kiding. I mean - instantly stopped raining. And, it did not rain for the rest of the day! I was able to read with Therese and I was inspired by her words. As I read, my daughter caught little fish in her net and put them in her bucket. She fed them bits of her sandwich (what lucky fish) and I thought of dear Therese catching fish with her father and taking them to Carmel to give to the sister’s to eat. It was good, very good.

So, should I not be surprised that in giving up my day and my will to travel along with my husband’s crazy birthday wish that goodness and mercy would not be shown to me? What a great grace to know that God is so kind and merciful that He would help me in my struggle to be kind to my husband (even when I would rather scrub the kitchen floor with a toothbrush than sit in a park filled with the sound of two-stroke motors and un-muffled engines blaring in my ears!). God knows we are distracted by the world. He knows that we can not even spend even one day quietly in a bit of His glorious and naturally created beauty without hearing the interruptions of manmade noise and confusion. But, oh, if we just seek God, He will seek us.

So I found Him yesterday, with the help of dear Therese, and I love Him for showing Himself to me… Thank you Father.

The Marian Catechists have put out a call for a Spiritual Bouquet to be prayed for His Excellency Archbishop Raymond L. Burke. Today, June 30 is his 60th birthday and Sunday was his 33rd anniversary of the holy priesthood.

As most people already know, our dear Archbishop is on his way to the Vatican to be the new prefect of the Apostolic Signature, the Church’s supreme court. We taped a television press conference with him the other evening to show the children. It is amazing to me that so many people have been so hostile towards this most humble man and servant of Our Dear Lord . Perhaps they see only his exterior which is strong. But, to look at him with the eyes of the heart, one nearly crumbles with admiration of this holy soul! When he spoke to the press about his new appointment he spoke clearly. However, when asked about leaving St. Louis this dear man actually had to pause he was so choked up. He could then hardly speak because he was so overcome with tears of sadness (which were obviously due to love of the Archdiocese). Oh, how I hope he knows how much we love him here!

My poor little ones were saddened when they saw their dear Archbishop. Young mister looks up to him with such admiration and is very happy for him to be going to Rome. He is taking this news like a good stalwart young man, though I know he is torn between happiness and sadness. He can ‘t help but feel sad he won’t be able to serve mass for him any more. Young Miss was not so tough… she cried. Her words were, “I am so sad”. I said, “That is o.k. you can tell him your sad when you see him at mass”. She said, “No Mommy, if I tell him I’m sad and cry then he’ll be sad and cry and that would not be Christian.” Bless her!

Back to business…

The spiritual bouquet to be offered is specific. The Marian Catechists asks to pray the Chaplet of the Holy Face. This chaplet is a powerful prayer for the triumph of the Church and the downfall of Her enemies. Archbishop Burke has a strong devotion to dear St. Therese of Lisieux and of course we know her religious name was “Sister Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face”. Therese wrote many prayers to express her devotion to the Holy Face. Her poems and prayers helped spread the devotion. She wrote the words “Make me resemble you, Jesus!” on a small card and attached a stamp of the Holy Face to it. She pinned the prayer in a small container over her heart, since at that time the Holy Face Medal did not exist. In August 1895, in her “Canticle to the Holy Face” she wrote:

“Jesus, Your ineffable Image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth. My love discovers the charms of Your Face adorned with tears. I smile through my own tears when I contemplate Your sorrows.”

The Chaplet of the Holy Face

For the Triumph of the Church and downfall of Her Enemies

Make the Sign of the Cross, and say:

God, come to my assistance,
Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Next, say 33 times:
Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered;
let those who hate Him flee before His Holy Face.

At the end, say 3 times:
Glory be to the Father…
________________

The formula that we are using for the Chaplet of the Holy Face is a variation of the original chaplet. If you would like to know more about the Holy Face Devotion, visit the websire: www.holyface.org

And, now for the most beautiful (and perhaps most famous) of First Communion stories. I’ve been waiting all week to post this for it is my favorite. It is from Saint Therese of Lisieux…

“I shall always remember my First Communion Day as one of unclouded
happiness….

At last there dawned the most beautiful day of all the days of my
life. How perfectly I remember even the smallest details of those
sacred hours! the joyful awakening, the reverent and tender
embraces of my mistresses and older companions, the room filled
with snow-white frocks, where each child was dressed in turn, and,
above all, our entrance into the chapel and the melody of the
morning hymn: “O Altar of God, where the Angels are hovering.”

But I would not and I could not tell you all. Some things lose
their fragrance when exposed to the air, and so, too, one’s inmost
thoughts cannot be translated into earthly words without instantly
losing their deep and heavenly meaning. How sweet was the first
embrace of Jesus! It was indeed an embrace of love. I felt that I
was loved, and I said: “I love Thee, and I give myself to Thee for
ever.” Jesus asked nothing of me, and claimed no sacrifice; for a
long time He and little Therese had known and understood one
another. That day our meeting was more than simple recognition, it
was perfect union. We were no longer two. Therese had disappeared
like a drop of water lost in the immensity of the ocean; Jesus
alone remained–He was the Master, the King! Had not Therese asked
Him to take away her liberty which frightened her? She felt
herself so weak and frail, that she wished to be for ever united
to the Divine Strength.

And then my joy became so intense, so deep, that it could not be
restrained; tears of happiness welled up and overflowed. My
companions were astonished, and asked each other afterwards: “Why
did she cry? Had she anything on her conscience? No, it is because
neither her Mother nor her dearly loved Carmelite sister is here.”
And no one understood that all the joy of Heaven had come down
into one heart, and that this heart, exiled, weak, and mortal as
it was, could not contain it without tears.

How could my Mother’s absence grieve me on my First Communion Day?
As Heaven itself dwelt in my soul, in receiving a visit from Our
Divine Lord I received one from my dear Mother too. Nor was I
crying on account of Pauline’s absence, for we were even more
closely united than before. No, I repeat it–joy alone, a joy too
deep for words, overflowed within me.

During the afternoon I read the act of consecration to Our Lady,
for myself and my companions. I was chosen probably because I had
been deprived of my earthly Mother while still so young. With all
my heart I consecrated myself to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and
asked her to watch over me. She seemed to look lovingly on her
Little Flower and to smile at her again, and I thought of the
visible smile which had once cured me, and of all I owed her. Had
she not herself, on the morning of that 8th of May, placed in the
garden of my soul her Son Jesus–”the Flower of the field and the
Lily of the valleys”?

On the evening of this happy day Papa and I went to the Carmel,
and I saw Pauline, now become the Spouse of Christ. She wore a
white veil like mine and a crown of roses. My joy was unclouded,
for I hoped soon to join her, and at her side to wait for Heaven.

I was pleased with the feast prepared for me at home, and was
delighted with the beautiful watch given to me by Papa. My
happiness was perfect, and nothing troubled the inward peace of my
soul. Night came, and so ended that beautiful day. Even the
brightest days are followed by darkness; one alone will know no
setting, the day of the First and Eternal Communion in our true
Home. Somehow the next day seemed sorrowful. The pretty clothes
and the presents I had received could not satisfy me. Henceforth
Our Lord alone could fill my heart, and all I longed for was the
blissful moment when I should receive Him again.”

– St. Thérèse’s First Communion 8th May 1884 From a Story of a Soul [St. Thérèse's autobiogrphy]

Yesterday’s mass at the Carmelite Monastery was very beautiful and they celebrated not only the Feast of St. Therese but their 144th year of being founded in Saint Louis. The sisters came here from the first Carmel in the United States which was in Baltimore, Maryland. If we wish to work further backward in history, Carmel came to the United States from the Belgium (English speaking) Carmel of Hoogstraet. The Hoogstraet foundress was Mother Ann of Our Lady and that Carmel came from the Carmel at Hopeland-Antwerp whose first Prioress was Blessed Mother Anne of St. Bartholomew. Now, Blessed Mother Anne of St. Bartholomew, (read more here) was the right hand, nurse and closes confidant of Holy Mother Teresa of Avila. WOW, now that is a great history!

In honor of this feast day the Sister’s sung “The Canticle of Love” by Sr. Marie Therese Sokol (of fame for her glorious musical compositions in the film by Luke Productions of St. Therese’s life.) I wish I could hum the tune, but you can go to the film’s website to hear a clip of it. Sr. Marie Therese is and accomplished composer and musician. She had degrees in Music Performance from Indiana University and performed as a cellist with the Omaha, Winnnipeg and Vancouver Symphonies but she left that life in search of the quiet of Carmel where she could devote herself only to serving her Beloved. We are thankful that despite her cloistered life, the Lord made it possible for her to compose the music for the movie and help the world to know Therese through such beautiful music. AMEN!! [Thanks to the Immaculate Heart of Mary's Hermitage Blog for the report on Sr. Marie Therese!]You can purchase a CD of the Soundtrack here. But getting back to the hymn, Canticle of Love, the Sisters sung this lovely piece of music with such perfection and love that I thought my heart would burst. Thank you Sister’s I hope to hear you sing this again soon!!

One more note on the Feast day. When my daughter came home from school we immediately got busy in the kitchen. As I wrote earlier looking for a Feast Day recipe for Saint Therese I thought I would post a photo of our efforts. Please understand my talent lies NOT in the baking department. However, I think the pretty roses and the little image of the Good Shepperd are special details which make the cake taste even better than Betty Crocker predicted! Here is a close-up of the center of the cake. Thanks to all who sent in their suggestions to put on the roses!

BENEDICT XVI’S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR OCTOBER

VATICAN CITY, OCT 1, 2007 (VIS) - Pope Benedict’s general prayer intention for October is: “That the Christians who are in minority situations may have the strength and courage to live their faith and persevere in bearing witness to it.”

His mission intention is: “That Missionary Day may be a propitious occasion for kindling an ever greater missionary awareness in every baptized person.”

The photo above, in case it is not obvious, is from the Chapel of St. Therese at the Carmelite Monastery in Saint Louis, Missouri.

I am so very happy for today to celebrate for dear Saint Therese. Even in the night when I woke up from a bad dream I was quickly comforted knowing her day was here at last. I will look forward to baking a cake with my little girl today in honor of this day. We managed to find some sugar made roses in the baking aisle at the supermarket so the cake will look good (I hope!)

And so I thought I would post a poem of hope that Therese wrote while at Carmel. She has given me hope as she is so very generous! Praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever!


MY HOPE.

Though in a foreign land I dwell afar,
I taste in dreams the endless joys of heaven.
Fain would I fly beyond the farthest star,
And see the wonders to the ransomed given!
No more the sense of exile weighs on me,
When once I dream of that immortal day.
To my true fatherland, dear God! I see,
For the first time Isoon shall fly away.
Ah! give me, Jesus! wings as white as snow,
That unto Thee I soon may take my flight.
I long to be where flowers unfading blow;
I long to see Thee, O my heart’s Delight!
I long to fly to Mary’s mother-arms, —
To rest upon that spotless throne of bliss;
And, sheltered there from troubles and alarms,
For the first time to feel her gentle kiss.
Thy first sweet smile of welcoming delight
Soon show, O Jesus! to Thy lowly bride;
O’ercome with rapture at that wondrous sight,
Within Thy Sacred Heart, ah! let me hide.
O happy moment! and O heavenly grace!
When I shall hear Thee, Jesus, speak to me;
And the full vision of Thy glorious Face
For the first time my longing eyes shall see.
Thou knowest well, my only martyrdom
Is love, O Heart of Jesus Christ! for Thee;
And if my soul craves for its heavenly home,
‘Tis but to love Thee more, eternally.
Above, when Thy sweet Face unveiled I view,
Measure nor bounds shall to my love be given;
Forever my delight shall seem as new
As the first timemy spirit entered heaven.


June 12, 1896.

Today, though we are in the middle of our Novena to St. Therese, we should also remember (and thanks to my dear friend for reminding me so that I may remind anyone who happens to be reading today…) that we may begin our Novena to St. Faustina. This is a novena especially to ask for the intercession of Faustina on the anniversary of her death which will be next Friday, October 5.

Not unlike Therese, Faustina was only seven years-old when she first heard Jesus’ voice in her soul. It was his first invitation to her, and stirred her to unite her life totally with His Divine Being. Thus a life devoted to proclaiming His Divine Mercy was initiated. How Faustina gave herself over completely to God by honoring each of His requests to tell the entire World of His Mercy is a heroic tale. And while He blessed her with many consolations, the agony she suffered during the times she felt alone and in the dark were great. As she was battling her own wits and the evil machinations of the diabolical one it was indeed God who was her strength in true faith. However, it is a testament to determination of spirit and complete love of God and abandonment of ones-self that we may admire and imitate in Faustina’s character.

There is another religious to consider this week among the faithful of God’s Holy Will. I am only just learning, but it was Sr. Mary Ephrem, as she was instructed by Our Heavenly Mother to let our country know of her desire for purity of soul to help reclaim the family who is so under assault here in America. (And while this devotion is a private revelation, it has been approved by prominent Bishops, and so can be trusted to be authentic. With the approval of Archbishop Burke, as I have said, I feel completely safe in reading and learning about this particular devotion. Back to the story…) A contemplative, Sr. Ephrem would have greatly realized the necessity of uniting the family in purity so that it may attempt to emulate the purity of the Holy Family of Nazareth. That was the holy home where the Holy Spirit found its indwelling in love uniting God with creation through the Immaculate and her Divine Son. Within this structure came also the love of a most good and humble protector and guardian, Joseph, who’s obedience and nonresistance to the Holy Will of God allowed the completion of the mystery. September 25th was the 51st anniversary of the Virgin appearing to Sr. Ephrem. Here is her account:

On the eve of the feast of the North American Martyrs, September 25, 1956, as I was making the Holy Hour from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., I was conscious of the distinct and special feeling of the presence of Our Lady. She stood by my side and spoke to me. I felt, rather than saw her, though I did see a part of her white gown and a small portion of her blue sash. I was under the impression that she came as Our Lady of Lourdes, and she herself confirmed this. Our Lady promised that greater miracles than those granted at Lourdes and Fatima would be granted here in America, the United Stares in particular, if we would do as she desires.

These are the words she spoke to me at this time:

“I am pleased, my child, with the love and honor my children in America give to me, especially through my glorious and unique privilege of the Immaculate Conception. I promise to reward their love by working through the power of my Son’s Heart and my Immaculate Heart miracles of grace among them. I do not promise miracles of the body, but of the soul.”

Our lady emphasized this very much. She is anxiously concerned about our inner life.

So, let us pay attention to our inner life today. We could not ask for help from better guides and holy navigators than Saints Therese and Faustina. And, there is NO greater guide to humility and obedience to the Will of our Heavenly Father than our exemplar of most pure body and soul than Our Mother Mary. Oh Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee…

Here is the novena prayer to St. Faustina:

Saint Maria Faustina, you told us that your mission would continue after your death and that you would not forget us. (Diary of St. Faustina, 281, 1582).

Our Lord also granted you a great privilege, telling you to “distribute graces as you will, to whom you will, and when you will” (31).

Relying on this, I ask your intercession for the graces I need, especially

(here mention your special intentions)

Help me, above all, to trust in Jesus as you did and thus to glorify His mercy every moment of my life.

Amen.

The image above was taken on my trip to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa near Doylestown, Pa.

There are only a few more days, 5 in fact, to get ready for the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux.

When I was tucking my daughter into bed last evening we finished up praying our Novena prayer to Therese and got to talking about other preparations we could be making for the big feast. Naturally her thoughts turned to yummy food (maybe I should have given her a bigger bed time snack!) Anyway, I promised I’d look around to see if there was a special “Therese Feast Day Treat” we could make together. Sadly, after spending a little while searching, I am coming up cold. SO, if anyone out there has any special Therese Treats please let me know!

I am gratefully yours…

I am so very happy to learn that my favorite Podcast, Meditations from Carmel, was just nominated as one of the best 2007 Podcasts in the Religion Inspiration category at the Peoples Choice Podcast awards. This is actually a very big deal because this is the BIG podcast award giver on the Internet. Last year Fr. Rodrick (from the Netherlands who is a technology geek and started the SQPN network) won as the overall peoples choice beating out dozens and dozens of secular podcasts (and many of which are on horrible and vile topics). It was a great affirmation for those who are Podcasting for the Lord!

The SQPN network is filled with some rather Catholic light bantering and I’m not too sure you will find it very prayerful except for the PrayerCast (which only has 4 episodes) and Verbum Domini (daily scripture readings from the Liturgical Calendar). I pray that the network will become more evangelistic in teaching our faith to the world. They are not very “EWTN” at all (if I am to use EWTN as a adjective). There is a nice podcast on their network though called the SaintCast which can be quite interesting.

There is also a very large group of Protestant podcasting going on and they can be found on the Godcast Network. You will find a few Catholic’s amongst the very large group, but you’ll have to scroll around a bit to find them.

Anyway, I am, obviously, quite partial to this Carmelite podcast. It is so wonderful to “hear the voice of Teresa of Avila” and I like Therese’s voice too. But, it is their words about prayer and devotion and love of our Lord through the Garden of Carmel which help to elevate my mind and heart… ahhhhh…..

The contest will run for the next 2 weeks and you can vote daily. I am SURE the Carmelites would value the support. Also, it would be a strong voice to the Catholic community what a great tool the Internet can be in being the voice of good and love in the world. –AMEN!

Here is a news release about the contest:

The Meditations from Carmel Podcast has been voted into the final round of the 2007 Podcast Awards in the “People’s Choice Religion Inspiration” category. In this year’s nomination procedure a count of over 335,000 people submitted, 6 million plus shows! Voting for each Podcast category begins today and you may vote 1 time per day for your favorite podcast. We hope the faithful will support Catholic media by casting their daily ballot!

About the Podcast:

Meditations from Carmel podcast is produced by the Secular Carmelite Community at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Louis, Missouri. The meditations come directly from the treasury of writings of the great Carmelite Saints including St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity, St. Teresa of the Andes, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, St. Teresa Benedicta and many others. As Carmelites living in the world, we listen to hear the whisper of God in the silence of our hearts. We seek Him, who we know loves us, and contemplate His wonders. We hope these short reflections will inspire you to take up the practice of prayer in your life. As St. Teresa of Avila reminds us is:

“Prayer is nothing else than an
intimate sharing between friends;
it means taking time
frequently
to be alone with Him
who we know loves us.”

Voting:

You can vote each day between July 28 and August 11, 2007 for your favorite shows at www.PodcastAwards.com. Voters may select one or all categories to vote for and a verification email with a clickable link will be emailed to you so that the vote can be verified.

About the 2007 Podcast Awards
The People’s Choice:

We have taken great care in the design and launching of this site to give all podcasters an equal chance in the opportunity to win a People’s Choice Podcasting Award in their specific category.

This is the third annual event that will recognize the best podcasters in the world by allowing the people (Listeners and Podcasters) to nominate, and then vote for their favorite podcast. This will culminate with awards and prizes being given during the 2007 Awards ceremony that take place during Podcast Expo in Ontario California on September 28, 2007. The website will see over 250,000 hits per day based upon 2006 levels.

Other Catholic Podcast Nominations:

People’s Choice
- Catholic Insider

Best Mobile Phone Formated Podcast
- Praystation Portable

Cultural/Arts
- Secrets of Harry Potter

Health/Fitness
- Healthy Catholic

PodSafe Music
- Catholic Rockers

Religion Inspiration
- Catholic Insider
- Daily Breakfast
- iPadre
- Meditations from Carmel
- The Hands and Feet Show

I wonder how long it will be before anyone guesses why I love this podcast so much?…..

My Desires Near Jesus Hidden in His Prison of Love

“Little Key, oh, I envy you!
For each day you can open
The prison of the Eucharist
Where the God of Love resides.
But, O what a sweet miracle!
By just an effort of my faith
I can also open the tabernacle
To hide near the Divine King…

Being consumed near my God
In the sanctuary, I would like
To burn forever with mystery
Like the Lamp of the Holy Place…
Oh! what happiness… I have flames within me,
And each day I can win
A great number of souls for Jesus,
Inflaming them with his love…”

–Therese of Lisieux 1895

There is a wonderful VIDEO entitled, “Therese de Lisieux: A Leap to Grandeur,” which was written and directed by Fabrice Maze. It is a French production, but for anyone who knows Therese’s story, it is quite easy to follow along.

The video is beautifully photographed. I loved seeing Les Buissonnets and all the other wonderful locations of Therese’s life. This video also includes the recently discovered photo of Therese’s mother (Zélie) taken about 1875.

SAINTE THERESE DE LISIEUX (PART1)
Uploaded by fredsinam

SAINTE THERESE DE LISIEUX (PART 2/4)
Uploaded by fredsinam

SAINTE THERESE DE LISIEUX ( PART 3/4)
Uploaded by fredsinam

SAINTE THERESE DE LISIEUX ( PART 4/4)
Uploaded by fredsinam

And, finally, when you are done viewing this wonderful film, have a look at the MOST COMPREHENSIVE site ever on St. Therese of Lisieux by Maureen O’Riordan.  I don’t know how she was able to organize all this information.  I suspect she must have had some help from those great Martin sisters! 

Last week I was privileged to meet someone quite astounding. We met after mass at the Carmelite Monastery where she had been staying over the past week or so. She was in the United States to meet with colleagues in her organization called “International Research Center for Spirituality in Business Practice” which is a program affiliated with the University of Mystic, at Avila, in Spain.

The aim of her project is to promote spirituality in the workplace by leadership training. They “favor spiritual progress of people at work, as managers and leaders, by giving them answers to meet the challenges of today’s economic world.”

This sounds not unlike what is today quite common in America, Bible Study at lunch with your colleagues (or in a way motivational efforts to lift employees to a higher level in the whole lives not just at work). To challenge these efforts already in place in many places of employment, the center is looking to evangelize through authentic Catholic spiritualites and charisms. They want to make an effort to show the beauty behind our tradition by introducing prayer in pure and time tested fashions. Igniting anew the enthusiasm for those special graces contained within the Church’s observance of prayerful and reverent worship through the many flowering vines of beauty we hold through sacred tradition and history.

The center for spirituality in business practice is an “intellectual frame of Carmelite mystic theology, but in a non exclusive way. The variety of spiritualities within the Roman Catholic Church (Benedictine, Franciscan, Dominican, Ignacian, Rhenan, of the French school, the Opus Dei…), the other religions (other Christian churches, Jews, Muslim…), and agnostics are strongly encouraged to participate.

This sounds great does it not? A blessing indeed! Something to be excited about and shout from the rooftops! But, here is the catch… this wonderful woman is trying to make this happen in France. Do I have to say more, or have you already sighed in a knowing sadness just what seeming futility she is up against? Though she is not the least bit pessimistic about the value and importance of this ministry she is trying to launch, surely I was able to see her holding back tears of frustration over the weight of her task in France.

Not to worry though, I am confident that all will work out for the best. You see, the hero of this story lives just two doors down from “Les Buissonnetes” in Liseiux. For those of you who do not know this famed address, it is the childhood home of Saint Thérèse (the littel flower of Carmel) where her father (Louis) moved after the death of Thérèse’s mother (Zelie). The home is on a little road called “Chemin du Paradis” (“Paradise Way”). It was in this home that Thérèse Martin spent eleven years of her life here, until she joined the Carmelite Convent, and here that our new Carmelite Apostle is beginning her quest to bring Carmelite Spirituality into the workplace. Is it no small consolation to have a friend and neighbor like Thérèse on your side! Not to mention I pray that the other holy Martin Sisters (Carmelites: Mother Agnes of Jesus, Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart, Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face and Visitation Sister Françoise-Thérèse) will be helping too! May they send down the roses from heaven please!

I thought it quite fitting then yesterday when I read of Pope Benedict’s equal frustration with contemporary European Culture and its attempts at playing with this new societal evil which is an irrational new humanism. The pontiff noted “the current cultural crisis in Europe as suffering from “a false dichotomy between theism and authentic humanism.” In its extreme form, this belief sees “an irreconcilable conflict between divine law and human freedom”.”

It seems that in Europe tradition and spirituality are like oil and water. Tradition is a mere “habit” while the actual practice of heritage (like spirituality) is an exercise they are unwilling to partake in. It is like the exact opposite of America. Here we will indulge in plenty of spirituality, though certainly it can be seen that it adhears to no absolute form of tradition. How many protestant churches are there now listed in the Yellow Pages? 5,ooo or so!?!

I pray for the efforts being born in a land which is so desolate. It certainly seems to me that the lands of rationalist Europe are completely opportune to hear a different voice. The voice of truth and love at an objective level. It certainly gets tiresome listening to the secular voice shouting that “everyone is right” no matter how skewed their viewpoint. I pray that instead of following the heard of sheep falling off the cliff of despair that the voice of our Heavenly Father will be heard. It is He who wants to shepherd us all into an enchanted and blissful eternity of ceaseless love with Him.

I would WELCOME any thoughts or ideas about this new “Center for Spirituality in the Workplace”. Is this a project that could happen in America or am I totally wrong? Is there a chance this could happen with a good old grass roots effort? Would not this effort be welcomed by many Third Order community apostolates? Remember this is not just a Carmelite effort. Please forward this article on to any persons you might think could benefit from it and I will send it along to France.

In the meantime, here is the article from the Catholic News Agency:
The Holy Father Reflects on “A New Humanism”

Vatican City, June 24 (CNA).-The Holy Father joined rectors and university professors from all over Europe in the Paul VI Auditorium on Saturday to discuss the theme of a ‘New Humanism.’ The meeting was organized to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, “which gave rise to the present European Union”, the Holy Father noted.

The pontiff first noted the moral climate of Europe: “Europe is presently experiencing a certain social instability and diffidence in the face of traditional values, yet her distinguished history and her established academic institutions have much to contribute to shaping a future of hope.”

Commenting on what this new philosophy might embody, Benedict remarked: “Promoting a new humanism, in fact, requires a clear understanding of what this “newness” actually embodies. Far from being the fruit of a superficial desire for novelty, the quest for a new humanism must take serious account of the fact that Europe today is experiencing a massive cultural shift, one in which men and women are increasingly conscious of their call to be actively engaged in shaping their own history.”

The current moral and intellectual crisis is largely due to the attempt “to build a regnum hominis detached from its necessary ontological foundation.” Modern man has attempted to construct a kingdom of mankind, without any reference to its Creator.

The Holy Father diagnosed the current cultural crisis in Europe as suffering from “a false dichotomy between theism and authentic humanism.” In its extreme form, this belief sees “an irreconcilable conflict between divine law and human freedom”.

Quoting his predecessor, John Paul II, Benedict questioned the result of man’s progress: “we need to ask ‘whether in the context of all this progress, man, as man, is becoming truly better, that is to say, more mature spiritually, more aware of the dignity of his humanity, more responsible and more open to others.’” (Redemptor Hominis, 15).

Benedict spoke of a theme often touched on by John Paul II: Man cannot know himself without knowing Christ. He said, “In my recent visit to Brazil, I voiced my conviction that “unless we do know God in and with Christ, all of reality becomes an indecipherable enigma.”

In conclusion, the Holy Father referred to universities as “laboratories of culture”, stated that they provided a needed service of wisdom to society, and hoped that they would work, with the help of theologians, to address “the questions of particular importance to society.”

Top Photograph: The room of Thérèse’s sister, Marie, where she was cured by the Virgin Mary on Sunday 13th May, 1883.

TO THE SACRED HEART.

Beside the tomb wept Magdalen at dawn, —

She sought to find the dead and buried Christ;

Nothing could fill the void now He was gone,

No one to soothe her burning grief sufficed.

Not even you, Archangels heaven-assigned!

To her could bring content that dreary day.

Your buried King, alone, she longed to find,

And bear His lifeless body far away.

Beside His tomb she there the last remained,

And there again was she before the sun;

There, too, to come to her the Saviour deigned, —

He would not be, by her, in love outdone.

Gently He showed her then His blessed Face,

And one word sprang from His deep Heart’s recess:

Mary! Hisvoice she knew, she knew its grace;

It came with perfect peace her heart to bless.

One day, my God! I, too, like Magdalen,

Desired to find Thee, to draw near to Thee;

So, over earth’s immense, wide-stretching plain,

I sought its Master and its King to see.

Then cried I, though I saw the flowers bloom

In beauty ‘neath green trees and azure skies:

O brilliant Nature! thou art one vast tomb,

Unless God’s Face shall greet my longing eyes.”

A heart I need, to soothe me and to bless, —

A strong support that can not pass away, —

To love me wholly, e’en my feebleness,

And never leave me through the night or day.

There is not one created thing below,

Can love me truly, and can never die.

God become man — none else my needs can know;

He, He alone, can understand my cry.

Thou comprehendest all I need, dear Lord!

To win my heart, from heaven Thou didst come;

For me Thy blood didst shed, O King adored!

And on our altars makest Thy home.

So, if I may not here behold Thy Face,

Or catch the heav’nly music of Thy Voice,

I still can live, each moment, by Thy grace,

And in Thy Sacred Heart I can rejoice.

O Heart of Jesus, wealth of tenderness!

My joy Thou art, in Thee I safely hide.

Thou, Who my earliest youth didst charm and bless,

Till my last evening, oh! with me abide,

All that I had, to Thee I wholly gave,

To Thee each deep desire of mine is known.

Whoso his life shall lose, that life shall save; —

Let mine be ever lost in Thine alone!

I know it well, — no righteousness of mine

Hath any value in Thy searching eyes;

Its every breath my heart must draw from Thine,

To make of worth my life’s long sacrifice.

Thou hast not found Thine angels without taint;

Thy Law amid the thunderbolts was given;

And yet, my Jesus! I nor fear nor faint.

For me, on Calvary, Thy Heart was riven.

To see Thee in Thy glory face to face, —

I know it well, — the soul must pass through fires.

Choose I on earth mypurgatorial place, —

The flaming love of Thy great Heart’s desires!

So shall my exiled soul, to death’s command,

Make answer with one cry of perfect love;

Then flying straight to heaven its Fatherland,

Shall reach with no delay that home above.

Therese Martin, October, 1895.

Photograph:
Nr. 65 • Herz-Jesu-Symbol (Kloster Maria Medingen)
Foto und Text: Sr. Gerlinde Fehr OSF
Bruder-Firminus-Stiftung • Postfach 24 01 41 • 4000 Düsseldorf 1

What great modesty and humility is shown by Therese at such a very young age. To meditate on the virtues contained in this passage are for all ages. Oh this great soul of Carmel’s Garden, her flowering virtue has inspired so many and led them to love our Lord with a fervent heart!

I must go back now to the subject of my scruples. They made me so
ill that I was obliged to leave school when I was thirteen. In
order to continue my education, Papa took me several times a week
to a lady who was an excellent teacher. Her lessons served the
double purpose of instructing me and making me associate with
other people.

Visitors were often shown into the old-fashioned room where I sat
with my books and exercises. As far as possible my teacher’s
mother carried on the conversation, but still I did not learn much
while it lasted. Seemingly absorbed in my book, I could hear many
things it would have been better for me not to hear. One lady said
I had beautiful hair; another asked, as she left, who was that
pretty little girl. Such remarks, the more flattering because I
was not meant to hear them, gave me a feeling of pleasure which
showed plainly that I was full of self-love.

I am very sorry for souls who lose themselves in this way. It is
so easy to go astray in the seductive paths of the world. Without
doubt, for a soul somewhat advanced in virtue, the sweetness
offered by the world is mingled with bitterness, and the immense
void of its desires cannot be filled by the flattery of a moment;
but I repeat, if my heart had not been lifted up towards God from
the first moment of consciousness, if the world had smiled on me
from the beginning of my life, what should I have become? Dearest
Mother, with what a grateful heart do I sing “the Mercies of the
Lord!” Has He not, according to the words of Holy Wisdom, “taken
me away from the world lest wickedness should alter my
understanding, or deceit beguile my soul?”

Therese of Lisieux from a Story of a Soul

Today’s Meditation:

Just as a torrent sweeps along with it unto the depths of the sea whatsoever it encounter on its course, even so, my Jesus, does the soul which plunges into the boundless ocean of Thy Love draw after her all treasures. Lord, Thou knowest that for me these treasures are the souls it has pleased Thee to unite to mine.

Therese of Lisieux OCD

Story of a Soul.