The Story of 'The Smile' - St Therese of Lisieux

"Our Lady was very lovely, and I saw her come toward me and smile."

Although Our Lord, Jesus Christ was the dominant figure in St. Therese's life, the Blessed Virgin Mary held a very important place therein. In her, St. Therese found an 'Exemplar'---"love of virginity; humility so profound that it draws to itself the Most Holy Trinity; material and spiritual poverty; being deprived of extraordinary graces as well as of the goods of this world; ardent charity that is eager to serve the neighbour; confidence in God which awaits help from Him alone; silence which keeps within and adores the divine mysteries; a living faith, the only light in the night of the spirit and anguish of the heart; a love that gives all and itself, also in complete sacrifice."

Contemplating this beautiful story, one can recognize St. Therese's confidence in the Blessed Virgin Mary as a mother who is overflowing with love, compassion, and mercy for her children.

"When we address ourselves to (other) saints, they make us wait a while. We feel that they have to go and present their request (to God), but when we ask a grace from the Blessed Virgin, we receive immediate help. Have you experienced this? Well, try and you'll see."

"The Blessed Virgin never fails to protect me as soon as I invoke her. In my troubles and anxieties I very quickly turn towards her, and like the most tender of mothers, she always takes care of my interests."

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY'S SMILE and ST. THERESE'S SMILE

It is said that the vision of the Blessed Virgin, of her heavenly beautiful smile had a supernatural effect on St. Therese physically, spiritually---wholistically. Fr. Jamart, OCD: "It is not an exaggeration on our part to claim that the miraculous smile of God's Mother imprinted on Therese's soul those exquisite dispositions which were to develop constantly during her life and make her, what she felicitously calls 'a miniature of the Blessed Virgin'."

In a song, St. Therese asked for the favor of the Blessed Virgin to smile again to her in her last hour: "You came to smile at me in the morning of my life; come and smile at me again...Mother, now that it is eventide."

Did the Blessed Virgin accede to her request?

"At around past 7 PM of September 30, 1897, because she had fallen gently backwards, it was believed that she had died, but she suddenly lifted up her head; her eyes gazed fixedly at the statue of Mary and then above her in an ecstatic look. They then closed, but an inexpressible smile lit up her countenance..."

Read the Story of a Soul @:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/therese/autobio.titlepage.html


http://www.storyofasoul.com/




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St. John of Avila (Quotes)

The Apostle of Andalusia and the spiritual advisor of St. Teresa, St. Francis Borgia, St. John of the Cross, St. Peter of Alcantara, and others. He was born on January 6, 1499, at Almodovar del Campo, Spain. After studying law at the University of Salamanca, he left the university to be a hermit. He then went to Alcala, where he was ordained. John drew great crowds with his fiery denunciations of evil and his many sermons. A brief imprisonment by the Inquisition in Seville made him even more popular. His missionary efforts were centered on Andalusia, and his letters and other writings have become Spanish classics. John was canonized in 1970... http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=3944



http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2011/srgormley_stjohnofavilahpr_aug2011.asp

LETTER OF ST. JOHN OF AVILA TO ST. TERESA OF AVILA

May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ our Lord be ever with you.

I consented to read your book which was sent me, not so much because I considered myself competent to judge of such matters, as because I thought that, by the grace of God; its teaching might benefit me. Although I have had no leisure to study it as thoroughly as it deserves, yet, thanks be to God, it has given me great consolation, and it will be my own fault if it does not profit my soul. On my own account it might suffice to say no more about it, yet I think the gravity of the subject and the respect due to the person who sent it, require me to express my opinion of it, at least In general terms.

It is not a book proper for everyone to read -- the language requires to be corrected in some places and to be made clearer in others. There are things in it which, though useful to you in your own spiritual life, would not do for everyone to practice, for God guides some souls along extraordinary paths which are not intended for others. I have noted most of these passages and will arrange them for you as soon as possible, and send them to you without fail. If you knew the infirm state of my health, and how I am constantly employed in many necessary duties, you would, I am sure, be more inclined to pity me, than to accuse me of neglect...
http://carmelphoenix.blogspot.com.mt/2012/02/st-john-of-avila-doctor-of-church.html





 

MARCH 23 - St Rafqa (Rafka), maronite nun from Lebanon - canonized by Pope John Paul II on the 10th of June 2001 at St Peter's Square, Rome, Italy



 

 

 

     St Rafka ill in bed in her latter days


St Rafqa, also Rafka, maronite nun from Lebanon - canonized by Pope John Paul II on the 10th of June 2001 at St Peter's Square, Rome, Italy

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20010610_canonizzazione_it.html

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ELENCO_SANTI_GPII.htm

Table of the Canonizations during the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/index_saints_en.html


Rafqa Pietra Choboq Ar-Rayès (1832 - 1914)  
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010610_rafqa-choboq_en.html



Movie in Playlist of 18 parts - Rafka (Maronite Saint)

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JULY 24 - ST SHARBEL - known as the "SAINT, DRUNK IN GOD" - canonized by POPE PAUL VI on 9th October 1977 at the Vatican

ST SHARBEL - known as the "SAINT, DRUNK IN GOD" - canonized by POPE PAUL VI on 9th October 1977 at the Vatican

9 October 1977: Canonization of the Lebanese hermit Charbel Makhlouf http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/homilies/1977/index.htm