Coming back from my retreat… now putting books into boxes for my move.. I came across a book I bought about a while also.. Jacques Gauthier ‘I Thirst Saint Therese of Lisieux and Mother Theresa of Calcutta.’
The author writes on page 17 -18 about Mother Theresa then Agnes Gonxha Bojashiu ‘ At about the age of 12, almost conceding with the beatification of St. Therese of Lisieux which had a great impact on the world and also on her life, she experienced for the first time the call to religious life. The Croatian Jesuit, Father Franko Jambrenkovic was the pastor of the Catholic parish in Skopje and guided Agnes in prayer. When he received a new French edition of Story of a Soul, he started to translate passages for the children in the parish and he told Agnes about the canonization of St Therese. She was totally overjoyed and felt confident that she could trust St Therese completely to guide her along the way that God Himself had carved out for her.
Blessed Mother Theresa, who avoided talking about herself, kept secret the connection she had with St Therese. In 199, one year before she died, a journalist prying for new information achieved his goal and Mother Theresa revealed her relationship to St Therese.
‘For us Christians, the cannonization if a saint, like St. Therese of Lisieux, was a big event. For me, in any case, it seemed to be the greatest event in the first quarter if the century, much more significant than the First World War. I considered myself privileged to be alive at that moment. It was so strong, so beautiful, to live at such a time. I have never felt happier even when I took my final vows. I have rarely felt this kind of happiness that I knew then, when I understood that the ‘Little Flower’ belonged forever in my life and that she would be an example for me. I can’t remember the first time I read her autobiography, or heard someone speak about her. Was it through my mother or that young Croatian priest? It is too long ago! It seems to me =, as if she were truly a member of my family.’
Little acts of Love… more powerful than the First World War.. Love is the true power, the true revolution. It is small acts of love that touch the Heart of Jesus.
St Therese has always been one of my favorite saints. I have been blessed with her intersessions.
I am so happy to see you writing on your blog again. I hope your new assignment gives you more time for you to Refresh, Renew and Revive.
I can see how 24/7 on call at the hospital with the demands were tough. You did it graciously and with such care.
I was at Fairfax Hospital on June 24th 2015 when you first began. I was fortunate enough to have you anoint me and intercede with God for my healing from a deadly disease. I am forever grateful.
May God bless you as you move on to a new phase of your vocation.