- Thérèse of Lisieux - A SAINT FOR THE AGESlittleflower.org 1 FROM THE DIRECTOR IN THIS ISSUE Thérèse’s life and spirituality Thérèse would be 141 years old, if she were alive today. She is eternally young in God’s heaven. Her spirit and presence are still so alive today. She touches people’s hearts and lives. She deepens our faith and trust in God’s presence. Every day, hundreds of letters arrive here at the Society of the Little Flower, giving testimony of her relevance and power in people’s lives. I am often moved 6 10 12 14 to tears with the powerful and precious ways she has touched people, especially in times of need, pain, panic, 2 frustration, and hopelessness. She sends signs, often FROM THE DIRECTOR accompanied by a rose, to let people know they have Thérèse’s life and spirituality. been heard by God – and that God Fall 2014 is working on their petitions and 3 FROM THE EDITOR intentions – the deepest longings of A publication for the their hearts. Devotion to the saints. friends of the Society of the Little Flower It is such a comfort to listen to 4 peoples’ stories – of the consolation LOCAL NEWS Father Bob Colaresi, and trust they receive when they put O. Carm. their intentions, hopes, and hurts in DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER BY FATHER BOB 6 COLARESI, O. CARM. St. Thérèse’s hands. They may not Mary Lambert FROM THE OFFICE OF EDITOR/DEVELOPMENT always get what they want, but they PLANNED GIVING DIRECTOR know they get what they need, in God’s plan. Thérèse’s - The joy of accelerating Father Bob Colaresi, greatest teaching is “everything is grace!” She reminds us bequests. O. Carm. Mary Lambert that God’s presence and fingerprints are all over us. She - The high cost of not planning Dan Pritchard inspires us in faith to trust that whatever is happening, your estate. Joe Voss Mary Zacharias especially the disappointments, pains, and heartaches of CONTRIBUTING life, God is present and working for goodness. 8 WRITERS FEATURE STORY At times, when I get scared or wonder where God Dan Pritchard Her words and presence make is in some frustration or heartache of life, I remember PLANNED AND a difference. MAJOR GIFTS that one of her great teachings sprang from the darkest period of her life. It was after about 16 months of Society of the 10 Little Flower an internal dark night of the spirit, when she felt no FEATURE STORY 1313 N. Frontage Rd. consolation – and when she could no longer receive Holy The roots of Thérèse’s faith: Darien, IL. 60561-5340 Communion because of the disease killing her – that she Louis and Zélie Martin. 800.621.2806 taught: “everything is grace.” Instead of being frustrated www.littleflower.org or angry, she admitted: "Now my longing for You is 12 The Monastery of even more!” She allowed the loss to transform her, not FEATURE STORY Mt. Carmel embitter or harden her heart and spirit. Roses in unexpected places. Society of the Little Flower St. Thérèse is most relevant today, in a world where we 7020 Stanley Ave. so easily become stressed, worried, and overwhelmed 13 Niagara Falls, Ontario FEATURE STORY L2G 7B7 with disappointments and the wounds of life. Her life is In the blink of an eye. 800.922.7622 witness to a powerful spirituality of trust and presence. We, her friends, are called to follow her “little way” of FAITH Catholic 15 Jenny Bis trust and confidence. Somehow, it lessens the burdens of FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGNER life, knowing that Jesus is carrying the burdens with us. PLANNED AND The Little Flower is such a good friend – a true “go-to” Cover image by MAJOR GIFTS Paolo Gaetano©, companion in our world today. ◊ The little things. iStock Photography 2 Between Friends • Fall 2014 FROM THE EDITOR Devotion to the saints BY MARY LAMBERT “Passing on traditions is part of what families do. One of the greatest traditions parents and grandparents can pass on is that of faith and devotion. For our family, it is devotion to St. Thérèse that is central to our lives.” In the little Italian neighborhood where I Tradition. Perhaps it’s an old-fashioned word, grew up, names meant something. We usually but tradition carries so much meaning for me. received the name of a relative or friend who To this day, many of my family’s traditions are would serve as our earthly guardian angel. carried on in my home and are now held dear My middle name is Therese; I was named by my sons. Traditions are sacred. SHARE YOUR STORY after my Aunt Theresa. She took her role My devotion to Thérèse is a tradition that I look forward to as my guardian angel very seriously. Aunt has kept me going in so many ways through hearing from friends of Theresa served as a second mother, keeping the years. I often ask myself, “Where would I St. Thérèse! Please take me in line when I needed some direction and be without my patron saint?” Perhaps it goes time to send me your sharing hugs and kisses when I needed some without saying, but my sons now also know story of how our Little love and care. She was always there for me. of her powerful intercession; she plays an Flower has touched your life: It was my Aunt Theresa who introduced important role in their lives as well. me to the Little Flower. She had a huge Passing on traditions is part of what families picture of St. Thérèse in one of the rooms in do. One of the greatest traditions parents and MARY T. LAMBERT her home, and would often tell me stories grandparents can pass on is that of faith and about the saint after whom we were both devotion. For our family, it is devotion to Society of the named. We prayed novenas to St. Thérèse. St. Thérèse that is central to our lives. It Little Flower 1313 N. Frontage Rd. When we would go to church together, we has been almost 90 years since Thérèse was Darien, IL. 60561 knelt before Thérèse’s statue, side by side. declared a saint, but she is as alive today as It was because of my aunt that St. Thérèse she was when she walked this earth. 800.621.2806 became an important part of my life. St. Thérèse truly is a saint for the ages. ◊ www.littleflower.org 3 NEWS FROM FRANCE RENOVATION OF THE CARMEL OF LISIEUX By Father Bob Colaresi, O.Carm. After many years of work, the renovation of the nuns are living, praying, and working in a structurally St. Thérèse’s home, the Carmel of Lisieux, has come to sound place. The ventilation and heating systems have a close. Today, it looks just like it did in her day. As you been totally updated. The bricks have been replaced and know, the strong weather of Normandy and the water the windows on her one wing have been renewed. I think on which the convent was built in 1838 had caused Thérèse is smiling at seeing her religious home looking significant deterioration. Mold was a major culprit, like the place in which she lived those last nine years of penetrating some portions of the walls and making parts her life. of the building essentially unlivable. Even more importantly, I know she is smiling at the Through the generosity of so many Friends of generosity of her many friends, especially those members St. Thérèse and the Carmel of Lisieux, in France, Europe, of the Society of the Little Flower who extended their and in North America, the long renovation process, begun generosity to help with this important project of renewal around 2002, has been completed. The Carmelite nuns – to preserve her legacy so that Thérèse’s spirituality there are able to move back into the original monastery could spread and her Carmelite contemplative life could and use it well. The infrastructure has been renewed so be lived safely by her Carmelite Sisters in Lisieux. ◊ 4 Between Friends • Fall 2014 THE CARMELITES AND THE SOCIETY OF THE LITTLE FLOWER More than 130 men from the Carmelite Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary gathered recently in Niagara Falls to take part in their 42nd Provincial Chapter. The meeting –which takes place every three years – was an opportunity for prayer and renewing fraternal ties under the theme “I have called you into the land of Carmel.” (Jeremiah 2:7) The meeting also had a more practical aspect in that it was an opportunity for the province to elect new leadership for the next three years. The province elected the following men into leadership roles in the community: Prior Provincial Father William Harry, O.Carm Prayer of the Carmelite Family Vice Prior Provincial The following Father Joseph Atcher, O.Carm mission statement captures the heart Provincial Councilors Tender-hearted God, of this Carmelite 1st Councilor: Father Sam Citero, O.Carm community: renew the gift of the Holy Spirit within 2nd Councilor: Father Myron Judy, O.Carm the Carmelite Family 3rd Councilor: Father Emilio Rodriguez, O.Carm 4th Councilor: Father Paul Henson, O.Carm as we seek to live following in the The Carmelites of footsteps of Jesus Christ. the Province of the Please pray for this new leadership team Teach us, like Mary, to contemplate your Most Pure Heart of as they chart the Carmelites' course over the Mary, in allegiance wisdom. next three years. to Jesus Christ, Fill us, like Elijah, with zeal for your The Society of the Little Flower was live in a prophetic glory.