Contemplation and Action

It is fascinating that a whole book has been published (in French) on Therese of Lisieux and St Teresa of Calcutta. The latter laid great emphasis to her sisters on doing small things well.  She did not promote grandiose ideas of social reform, she did not waste time criticising the authorities; rather, she and her Sisters picked up the sufferers from the streets one by one, focussing on the practical care they could give to individuals in need.  At the same time she promoted the habit of silent contemplative prayer, seeing it as essential for their work.  For her, contemplation and action went together.  I see a strong connection between her and the American social activist Dorothy Day (1897-1980), who also devoted her life to the service of the poor.  She once delightfully observed that she had little patience with volunteers who wanted to save the world while refusing to chop the vegetables.  She saw that the Little Way of Therese was not a method but an attitude, and paradoxically, it was Dorothy’s work with the poor that encouraged her attachment to the Saint of Lisieux.  Therese lived buried in a convent, but in her world, the little world of that convent, she practised love in the smallest of small things and made herself an apostle of love.

 Intercessions:

Brian Davis – cancer

Cancer: Marie, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS - housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill