The Presence of St Therese

I have just come across this story of how St Therese of Lisieux came into someone’s life.

‘I suffer from bipolar disorder. Thanks to professional medical attention and medication, it has been 20 years since I have had a manic episode. However, I remember that in 1990, after ten years of normalcy, I had a manic attack which was brief, however it was followed by a period of depression that was most debilitating.  Although I had struggled through dark moods before, this was particularly bad in that for the first time, even the simplest decisions were impossible for me to make. That, coupled with insomnia made it extremely difficult for me to function because lack of sleep is always the first sign that accompanies mania with me and I was worried about experiencing that again.  Enter Saint Therese. I found a beautiful picture of her right in the pew where I sat for daily Mass. There was a novena prayer attached to the opposite side. My aunt had once told me that she promised to send a shower of roses to those who sought her intercession after her death. I decided to take Saint Therese up on her offer and said the prayer faithfully each day. She graced me with her presence. I also decided to learn about her and was delighted and fascinated by her autobiography, The Story of a Soul. In it, she explains her method of spiritual childhood, that of doing simple things for God with great love and relying on his mercy.’ [by Marianne Komek; courtesy of the Guild of St Benedict Joseph Labre, Spiritual Support for all Brain Disorders].  This spoke to me particularly because one of my nearest and dearest (now deceased) was diagnosed as bipolar, but until today I did not realise that St Benedict Joseph Labre, whose feast day is today, is patron of those suffering from mental illness.

Intercessions

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Fr Jon Bielowski (Plymouth Diocese), Catherine, Alex (43 with five children), Sister Daranee Teapthong, William Gove (recovering from stroke)

Illness:  Hilary Solomon, Katy Keeling

Siena, Elara – sick children

David OCDS – housebound

Sophia – blind infant

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

Mark – brain infection

Michael – youngster with occult influences

Defence of the unborn and the elderly

We are asked to pray for the Diocese of Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, as the Northern Mission celebrates its centenary. The process of selecting a new bishop continues.