Early and Late Bloomers

My thanks are due to my fellow Secular Carmelite Vivien for this thoughtful and encouraging blog contribution. 'The Carmelite tradition has produced an extraordinary number of youthful saints. Women such as St Therese of Lisieux, St Elizabeth of the Trinity, St Teresa Margaret Redi, and St Teresa of the Andes all died between the ages of 20 to 26 in the odour of sanctity. For those of us who may feel that we are living life in the spiritual slow lane, such precocity is both inspiring and intimidating!  That is why it is encouraging to realize that St Teresa of Jesus - the spiritual mother of all these young saints - was herself in many ways a patron saint for late bloomers. Everything that Teresa is known for - whether her sublime mystical experiences, her profound spiritual writing, or her tireless work as reformer of the Order and founder of numerous monasteries - took place in the last 25 years of her life. In fact, had she died at the age of 40 - a very real possibility given her fragile health - we might never have heard of her at all, and she would simply have remained an obscure sixteenth century Spanish nun.  St Teresa of Jesus is a timely reminder that it is never too late for us to turn the corner spiritually. Indeed, God can take us by storm in any season of life.'

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Theresa K, Fr Jon B, Catherine

Siena, Elara – sick children

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness

 Mark – brain infection

 Defence of the unborn and the elderly

 RIP Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, little Matthew (six years old, died of cancer)