THE Diocese of Bacolod just concluded the three-day visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
St. Therese is the Patroness of Missions and is one of the Doctors of the Church. St. Therese, born in France in 1873 to parents Louis and Zelie Martin, was the youngest of nine (9) children. Sadly, four (4) died and the remaining five (5) children entered the Carmelite Monastery.
Saints Louis and Zelie attended mass daily and would regularly visit the Blessed Sacrament, thus, inculcating St. Therese an early love for God. She also has a devotion to Mama Mary, especially after healing her from illness when the image of Mama Mary appeared and smiled at her. She also loves Jesus. She always desired to receive Jesus through Holy Communion.
She is popularly known as “The Little Flower of Jesus” or simply “The Little Flower.” St. Therese is important to the Catholics worldwide because of her simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life.
St. Therese entered the convent at the age of fifteen (15) and spent nine (9) years there until she died of tuberculosis at the age of 24 in 1897. She was beatified in 1923 and was canonized by Pope Pius XI on May 17, 1925. She was named Doctor of the Church by St. (Pope) John Paul II in 1997.
The pilgrim relics of St. Therese visited the Philippines five times and Negros Island is always part of her itinerary .
Her visit is always a welcome celebration here in Bacolod. My Mom (may she rest in peace), sister Joy, and I always make time to visit her whenever “she” or her relic is here in Bacolod. There is a feeling of great joy whenever we are in one place. She is a well-loved saint as seen during her visit. Hundreds flock to attend mass intended for her. People stayed and waited patiently to be venerated by her.
Saints Louis and Zelie’s relics were able to visit Bacolod back in 2018. Many also gathered at the San Sebastian Cathedral.
Let us pray the Prayer to St. Therese of the Child Jesus.
God, our Father,
You promised your kingdom
To the little ones
and the humble of heart.
Give us the grace
To walk confidently in the way
of St. Therese of the Child Jesus,
So that helped by her prayers,
We may see your glory
and share in your kingdom.
Amen.
(Prayer from the pamphlet given in Carmel)