Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Therese of Lisieux

The solemn Canonisation of Thérèse, 17 May 1925 at St Peter's, Vatican, Pope Pius XI delivers his homily in the presence of 23 cardinals, 250 bishops, and 50000 faithful. The Blessed is now 'Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus' © Les Archives du Carmel de

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 1 October 2024
Matthew 18:1-5

The disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' So he called a little child to him and set the child in front of them. Then he said, 'I tell you solemnly, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. And so, the one who makes himself as little as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

'Anyone who welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.'

Reflection on the painted illustration

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux ( 1873-1897), also known as 'The Little Flower,' was born on January 2, 1873, in Alençon, France. She entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux at the young age of 15, after receiving special permission from the Pope. Despite her brief life, she developed a simple yet profound spirituality, often called the 'Little Way,' which emphasises doing small, everyday tasks with great love and devotion to God. Her faith journey was marked by deep trust in God's mercy and a desire to serve him humbly in hidden, ordinary moments. Thérèse struggled with illness, particularly tuberculosis, and died at the age of 24 on September 30, 1897, after enduring intense physical suffering with remarkable grace.

Thérèse's autobiography, Story of a Soul, written at the request of her superiors, became widely influential after her death. It revealed her intimate relationship with God and her deep insights into love, sacrifice, and trust. Canonised in 1925 by Pope Pius XI (our illustration shows the entrance procession of the Canonisation Mass), she was later declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997, one of only four women to receive this title. Saint Thérèse's influence extends far beyond her short life. Her belief that even the smallest acts of kindness and love can lead to holiness is still very much relevant for us today.

On a personal note, I have always found a striking parallel between the lives of Carlo Acutis and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, as both shared short yet profoundly saintly lives. Like Thérèse, Carlo embraced his faith from a young age, dedicating his life to a deep love of God and a desire to bring others closer to him. Both lived with a childlike trust in God's plan, yet demonstrated spiritual maturity far beyond their years. They each found holiness in the ordinary: Thérèse through her 'Little Way' of love in everyday tasks, and Carlo through his use of modern technology to evangelise and spread devotion to the Eucharist. Both faced illness with courage-Thérèse with tuberculosis and Carlo with leukaemia-and accepted their suffering as a way to unite themselves more closely to Christ.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-18-1-5-2024/