By Ainish Philip
"Even if the fire of love seemed to have gone out, I would keep on throwing fuel in it and Jesus would take care to light it up again." St. Therese of Lisieux
Perhaps the only motive of St Therese of Lisieux, also known as the ‘Little Flower’ was - to give glory to the Lord through her short, yet simple life. Today as we celebrate her feast day, let us look at some of the virtues she practised to make her life holy and pure unto God.
- Love: St Therese believed that the smallest action carried out with love, has infinite value in the eyes of God. Even picking a needle from the floor should be done for the love of God. "It is love I ask for; love is all the skill I need." This was the profound message she left to the world.
- Obedience: How many of us really obey our parents or elders when they ask us to do something exactly when we are busy with our work? We might do, yet with a bit of delay. However, St Therese at the age of 9, while she was at play in the middle of a game or croquet, on being called for Eucharistic Adoration, would immediately stop playing and rush to the Chapel in immediate obedience.
- Undying devotion to God: This could be a small thing for many, but for little Therese, kissing the feet of the crucifix every single day and talking to Jesus secretly was one of the simple joys of life. She did not like long prayers; instead she would talk to Jesus just like a little child would talk to their parent. She loved simplicity even in prayers.
She found immense joy in the processions in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. “What a joy it was for me to throw flowers beneath the feet of God! I was never so happy when I saw my roses touch the sacred Monstrance.” 
- Zeal for souls: During one of the Catechism lessons when little Therese heard about venial sin from her Catechism mistress, she started crying out loud with sorrow thinking how her sins and the sins of the world hurt Jesus. This led her to pray for the conversion of sinners, the unbaptised, and the infidels.
- Patience: With much humility, St Therese mentions her own patience humorously. During meditation in the choir, one of the sisters continually fidgeted with her rosary, until Therese couldn’t concentrate. At last, "instead of trying not to hear it, which was impossible, I set myself to listen as though it had been some delightful music, and my meditation, which was not the 'prayer of quiet,' passed in offering this music to our Lord."
St Therese’s simple and holy life has inspired many to find their way in Jesus by the simple things of life. Her last words before she went to be with the Lord were, “My God! I love you!”
The following quote of the saint is often prayed by people all over the world, “Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be-and becoming that person.”
May the Holy Spirit strengthen us to find true love in the heart of Jesus and glorify Him in all the little things we do.
Be Holy! Be on Fire!
Stay in peace. Stay with Jesus.
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