The incomparable Therese

The latest issue of Communicationes, the bulletin sent out from Rome by the General Curia of the Teresian Carmel, contains an item that triggers memories for me.  It is a report of the visit of the relics of St Therese of Lisieux to the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Grace and St Therese in Carmel, California, on the occasion of the centenary of the foundation of the monastery.  Two memories in particular.  First, some years ago I was privileged to visit the chapel of this monastery myself on the occasion of a trip to see my son in San Francisco.  He asked me where I would like to go for an outing and I immediately thought of Carmel City.  Though I did not know it at the time, this small town is in fact a beautiful little seaside resort where the monastery is not far from the sea.  Second, I recall visiting the relics of St Therese myself in the year they were in the UK.  I came to pay my respects, not expecting to experience anything special when the relics came to a small town not far from me, but I vividly remember entering the church and being almost overwhelmed by the beauty of the atmosphere.  Never before or since have I experienced anything like it.  She is truly an incomparable saint!

Intercessions:

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

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

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 Richard Parker, Martin Gilham, Sue Burton, Wojtek, Joy Smith OCDS