Meditation of the Day – The Sun Shines Equally
“Our Lord’s love shines out just as much through a little soul who yields completely to His Grace as it does through the greatest . . . Just as the sun shines equally on the cedar and the little flower, so the Divine Sun shines equally on everyone, great and small. Everything is ordered for their good, just as in nature the seasons are so ordered that the smallest daisy comes to bloom at its appointed time.”— St. Therese of Lisieux, p. 4-5
Meditation of the Day – The Heaven of Our Souls
Let Us Love
//Ascension Press//
Saint of the Day – February 27th
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows’ Story
St. Gabriel Possenti (1838-1862), also known as St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, was born in Italy into a large family and baptized Francis, Saint Gabriel lost his mother when he was only four years old. He was educated by the Jesuits and, having been cured twice of serious illnesses, came to believe that God was calling him to the religious life. Young Francis wished to join the Jesuits but was turned down, probably because of his age, not yet 17. Following the death of a sister to cholera, his resolve to enter religious life became even stronger and he was accepted by the Passionists. Upon entering the novitiate he was given the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Ever popular and cheerful, Gabriel quickly was successful in his effort to be faithful in little things. His spirit of prayer, love for the poor, consideration of the feelings of others, exact observance of the Passionist Rule as well as his bodily penances—always subject to the will of his wise superiors— made a deep impression on everyone.
His superiors had great expectations of Gabriel as he prepared for the priesthood, but after only four years of religious life symptoms of tuberculosis appeared. Ever obedient, he patiently bore the painful effects of the disease and the restrictions it required, seeking no special notice. He died peacefully on February 27, 1862, at age 24, having been an example to both young and old.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was canonized in 1920.
Reflection
When we think of achieving great holiness by doing little things with love and grace, Therese of Lisieux comes first to mind. Like her, Gabriel died painfully from tuberculosis. Together they urge us to tend to the small details of daily life, to be considerate of others’ feelings every day. Our path to sanctity, like theirs, probably lies not in heroic doings but in performing small acts of kindness every day.
Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is the Patron Saint of:
Clergy
Students
Young People
//Franciscan Media//
Meditation of the Day – He is Here With His Cross
“Yes, my heart’s dear one, Jesus, is here with His cross. Since you are one of His favorites, he wants to make you into His likeness; why be afraid that you will not have the strength to carry this cross without a struggle? On the way to Calvary, Jesus did indeed fall three times and you, poor little child, would like to be different from your spouse, would rather not fall a hundred times if necessary to prove your love to Him by getting back up with even more strength than before your fall!”— St. Therese of Lisieux, p. 87
Prayer of Saint Therese de Lisieux
Saint Therese and What You Can Learn From Her
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, popularly known as “The Little Flower,” is the third woman to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
She is best known for her “Little Way.” This is a spirituality that seeks to sanctity daily life by doing each and every thing—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant—with great love.
Thérèse is, arguably, the most beloved modern saint; her writings are powerful lessons on how to love God with one’s whole heart in the humble routine of daily life. She teaches us how to suffer in Him, with Him, and through Him, with great love.
Here are ten quotes from St. Thérèse on how to sanctify the “little things” in life.
1. For the Glory of God
“The faith and confidence of yours which never wavers will one day have their reward–a glorious one. Be quite sure that God will bless you and that the depths of your suffering will be matched by the consolation reserved for you.”
2. Through the Grace of God
“Jesus said: ‘If ever a man is rich, gifts will be made to Him, and his riches will abound.’ For every grace I made good use of, He gave me many more.”
3. Holy Communion
“Our Lord does not come down from Heaven every day to lie in a golden ciborium. He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to Him—the heaven of our souls.”
4. Through Mortification
“When I speak of mortification, I don’t mean the kind the kind of penance practiced by saints. There are great souls who practice every sort of mortification from childhood, but I am not like any of them. All I did was to break my self-will, check a hasty reply, and do little kindnesses without making a fuss about them—and lots of similar things.”
5. Run After Jesus
“Since Jesus has gone to Heaven, I can follow Him only by the traces He has left. But how radiant and how fragrant these traces are! I have only to glance at the Holy Gospels and at once I breathe the fragrance of His life and know which way to run.”
6. Proving Our Love
“‘For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?’ [Matthew 5:46] Do not even sinners love those that love them? It is not enough to love. We must prove that we do. We naturally like to please a friend, but that is not charity, for so do sinners.”
7. True Holiness
“Holiness is not a matter of any one particular method of spirituality: it is a disposition of the heart that makes us small and humble within the arms of God, aware of our weaknesses, but almost rashly confident in His Fatherly goodness.”
8. Put Confidence In His Mercy
“O Jesus, I feel that if You found a soul feebler than mine—though that’s impossible—You would delight in heaping even greater favors on it, if it abandoned itself with supreme confidence to Your infinite mercy.”
9. Persevere in Prayer
“For me, prayer means launching out from the heart toward God; a cry of grateful love from the crest of joy or the trough of despair: it is a vast supernatural force that opens out my heart and binds me close to Jesus.”
10. Helping Souls
“All my strength lies in prayer and sacrifice. They are invincible weapons, and I know, by experience, that they can soften the heart much better than words.”
These excerpts by St. Thérèse were taken from the book Mornings with Saint Thérèse. This hardcover collection of 120 readings by St. Thérèse will help you get to know the pure, simple girl whom Pope St. Pius X called “the greatest saint of modern times.”
By Good Catholic