Thank you, St. Therese...

This post is intended to fulfill a promise I made to the ever-popular St. Therese Martin of Lisieux, affectionately nicknamed the "Little Flower" by Catholics all across the globe (to read more about her, click/tap here).  

Within the past two months, I asked the Little Flower for two different favors, via separate novenas I prayed in her honor.  Each time, before I was even done with the customary nine days of a novena prayer, this Saint delivered... and also left me with her signature calling card - roses!

"I will let fall a shower of roses!"

~ Words of St. Therese of Lisieux

The first novena was started on Sunday, October 1st, 2017, which was actually St. Therese's Feast Day. I recall kneeling in the pews at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua, while saying the prayer shown below. I asked the Little Flower for a specific spiritual grace and added jokingly, " ... and I better get a rose this time." Well, I received that rose on the very next day from an unforeseen source - it came through the mail all the way from Dallas, Texas, to Hawaii ... and survived, intact, and still fragrant! As it turned out, it was a thoughtful gift from Carmelite nuns whom I had become acquainted with!  I was in awe to say the least but, needless to say, I completed the novena to St. Therese with deeper fervor and appreciation ... and a tinge of amusement, as well.

Rose #1:  A dark-pink rose, which I placed

over my small notebook of prayer intentions

& home-shrine petition box.  A rose of this

color supposedly represents Gratitude.

+ + + + +

Rose #2:  A yellow rose, which according

to online sources, is supposed to represent

Friendship & Optimism.

The second novena was prayed starting in the last week of November and I asked St. Therese for help in peacefully resolving a delicate issue I was having with a certain individual.  It was during this novena that I made a promise to St. Therese that, if she helped me with my dilemma, I would post the prayer I was using on my blog, as well as, testify to the effectiveness of her intercession ... and what do you know - within a few days, my prayer was answered! And, although I didn't specifically ask her for another one, I received a second rose anyway - an unexpected gift from a fellow parishioner on the First Saturday of this month; just a day after it fully dawned on me that my prayer request had been granted.  Again, awe and gratitude towards this wonder-working, "big-sister" of a Saint ...

So here we are today - I'm keeping the promise I made to her.  Below is the prayer I offered on both occasions, as a novena to St. Therese.  It's a short, popular prayer to the Little Flower that devotees of the Saint are familiar with.  I prayed it daily during the course of my novenas, sometimes more than once a day.

The "Rose Prayer" to St. Therese

O St. Therese,

the Little Flower, please pick

me a rose from the Heavenly

Garden and send it to me as

a message of Love.

[mention your prayer intention]

Ask God to grant me the

favor which I, thee, implore...

and tell Him I will love Him

each day, more and more.

Amen.

[After the Rose Prayer, add an

Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be

in honor of St. Therese]

With the above being shared, I encourage readers to pray with confidence to the Little Flower whenever in need; to allow her the opportunity to pleasantly surprise you, as she did me.  May the gentle power of her intercession and the inspiration of her "little way" be a great blessing to all who have recourse to her ... ultimately leading to a deeper faith and love for Jesus Christ, our Lord, who our dear St. Therese loved and served above all else.

If you've ever received your own "rose(s)" from St. Therese, I invite you to share your personal story in the Comments Section below.  I would greatly enjoy reading other testimonies of favors received from this Saint, and I'm sure other visitors to this blog will too.  Much Mahalo.

St. Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus, pray for us!

* * * *  U P D A T E  * * * *

I have a postscript to all of this that was just too amusing not to share:

Soon after posting this particular blog, I went to visit with a friend at his house.  We were talking and catching up, while he cleaned out an old fanny pack that he had.  As he was sorting through his stuff, he suddenly asked me if I needed postage stamps to which I replied, "Why don't you just keep 'em?"

My friend then said something to this effect, "I found them at my job.  They're kinda old, though, but you can probably still use them."  So I told him, "Sure.  I'll take 'em if you don't want 'em.  I'm always mailing stuff.  Plus they're always gonna be good."  He then tossed to me a small paper packet, which included these ...

Coincidence?  LOL ... I don't think so - I don't believe in coincidences.  I know me getting them unexpectedly had something to do with St. Therese ... and, in this instance, Jesus, too.  Just look at the printed value on these old stamps - 33 cents!  Too funny, I tell you - you can't make this stuff up!

Saturday, 12/2/2017: First Saturday Rosary at St. Anthony of Padua Church & Special Parish Advent Event

Happy, Blessed Advent to all!  It was a tremendous First Saturday at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.  Not only did we have our monthly rosary prayer... but we inaugurated a new event to welcome the start of Advent!  Read on below...

+ First Saturday Rosary for Peace

Despite the cold and gloomy weather all day long, I was surprised by the turnout we had at this month's First Saturday Rosary - many of the regulars showed up and we even had a couple of new faces in the pews.

The faith-lesson I felt inspired to share about this month had to do with steadfastness - steadfastness in following Jesus or in doing something good for Him... and it was inspired by the life of Bl. Mattia Nazarei, this blog's current Saint of the Month (you can read about her life by clicking/tapping here).  This particular Blessed was a wealthy noblewoman, who from a young age was unwavering in her desire to give herself completely to God, despite facing temptations and obstacles placed in her path by social status and her family.

       

A 1st Class Relic of Bl. Mattia Nazarei

that was presented in the Day Chapel...

and parishioners lining up to get a

closer view and to pray before it.

In summary, I encouraged the participants to consider including a spiritual resolution for the Lord, as they drew up their customary lists of New Year resolutions for 2018.  It didn't have to be huge like entering a convent, as Bl. Mattia did... but it could be as simple as saying the Rosary once a week or reading a little of the Bible each day.  The main thing, I emphasized, is that they remain steadfast in keeping their spiritual resolution(s) and not break them, as often the case with other good intentions... such as losing a few pounds (many people giggled).  Bl. Mattia can surely serve as our role model for steadfastness and be our special helper in our efforts to be firm in our new commitment(s) to God for the upcoming year.

Bl. Mattia's life and the accompanying lesson must have made an impression since lots of people made it a point to approach the display altar, after our rosary ended; to pay their respects to the relic - a piece of linen imbued with the Blessed's sacred blood - that I brought to today's meeting.  May Bl. Mattia inspire and motivate us all to live our Catholic Faith in a deeper manner in 2018.

The next Rosary for Peace will be prayed on January 6th, 2018 - all are welcome to usher in the new year with our special prayer for peace!

+ Parish Advent Event

After the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass ended, our parish welcomed the approach of the 2017 Advent Season by celebrating our first ever, "Advent by Candle Light" in our gathering hall.  Several members of our Parish Council and random parishioners signed up to host their family and friends at specially designated tables.  Each table was dedicated to a title of the Blessed Virgin and uniquely decorated by the hosts, while our meals consisted of a potluck of heavy appetizers brought by the hosts and their invited guests.  I got to sit at the Lady of Lourdes Table - one of my favorite apparitions of the Blessed Virgin - with my host and dear friend, Cecelia!

       

Our parishioners enjoying the Advent Event

in our festively decorated parish hall.

Included in the event program was a special presentation about Our Lady's important role in our Catholic faith-life, presented by our own seasoned retreat facilitator, Maxine.  It was a thought-provoking talk, as well as quite an enjoyable one, given our speaker's sense of humor.  Dessert followed the presentation and it was the perfect way to close out the evening's festivities.

Me, with my dinner mates, at the

Our Lady of Lourdes Table.

All in all, what a blessed day it has been!  I have to commend our parish priests, the event planners, and all the table hosts for being open to the Holy Spirit's promptings in bringing to completion this new and brilliant idea of an event... and I hope it becomes an annual tradition.  I left for home smiling and contented in stomach and spirit; reflecting on just how good God is.  Again, Happy Advent!

Saint of the Month - December 2017: Blessed Mattia Nazarei of Matelica

A painting of Bl. Mattia Nazarei.

Bl. Mattia Nazarei

Mother of Charity

Memorial: December 28th

This month's featured saint is Bl. Mattia Nazarei (sometimes spelled as "Nazzarei"), a Poor Clare nun who died in 1319 in Matelica, Italy.  Born on March 1, 1253, she was the privileged daughter of Count Gualtiero Nazarei and his pious wife, Sibilla Ottoni.  From a young age she was unusually devout and was drawn to spirituality rather than the wealth and extravagance that a life in court afforded her.  Early on, Mattia had resolved to give herself completely to the Lord so, at the age of 18, when she learned that a marriage was being arranged for her to another wealthy nobleman, she fled home for the local Benedictine Convent of Santa Maddalena where an aunt of hers was the abbess.

The abbess, upon seeing her, was horrified as she feared retribution from Mattia's powerful father.  The superior/aunt attempted to persuade her niece to return home but instead of doing so, the determined noblewoman entered the convent chapel where she was inspired to cut off her long, lovely hair and cast aside her fine robes.  She then again presented herself to the nuns who had no choice but to accept her, given the drastic proof she gave of her resolve to stay with them.

When her father finally came knocking at the convent's door, Mattia presented herself to him dressed in a habit and with her head shaved.  Count Gualtiero was taken aback by her appearance, to say the least, but his shock soon gave way to resignation and a newfound respect for his strong-willed daughter.  He immediately gave up any plan to bring her home and left her in peace in the convent.  Mattia stayed on and was professed a nun in August 1271 and her father became one of the staunchest benefactors of her community.

An old painting of the Beata transformed with

A.I. into a photo-realistic likeness of her.

The youthful nun proved to be a model religious - obedient, prayerful, and self-abasing; always seeking to do the least popular tasks in the convent despite her former social status in the world.  In fact, her companion nuns were so impressed by her exemplary conduct, at the death of Mattia's aunt, they elected her abbess at only 26-years-old and she held the office for over 40 years!

During her reign as abbess, Mattia was a not only a capable spiritual mentor for those under her care, but she was also a wise and practical leader in regards to temporal matters.  As her fame of holiness spread throughout the region, more and more applicants arrived at the convent door, which necessitated an expansion of the existing building.  Through her close connection to the nobility, she easily raised the necessary funds to renovate and improve the convent as well as the adjoining church.  Having always been drawn to the Franciscan ideal of holy poverty, Mattia was also instrumental in converting the convent to the Franciscan Rule from the Benedictine.  Thus, she died a Poor Clare; a worthy spiritual daughter of St. Clare of Assisi (d. 1253) who she greatly admired.

Mattia's love for the poor and suffering was also exceptional and well-known in Matelica.  She was solicitous with those who sought her advice and prayer, and made use of her God-given gift of prophecy to counsel many.  Generous in sharing the convent's provisions, the poor who came seeking alms were never turned away.  As such, she endeared herself so deeply to the people they affectionately referred to her as the "Mother of Charity" and venerated her as a living saint in her lifetime.

A depiction of Bl. Mattia rising to heavenly
glory above the city of Matelica

After suffering from an illness, the beloved abbess died on December 28, 1319, as she had earlier predicted to her community.  In the final moments of her life a brilliant beam of light was reported to have shown down from the heavens unto the convent, while the dying Mattia, was herself, surrounded by a mysterious radiance and a delightful floral scent that soon spread throughout the building.  The visible phenomena attracted the curiosity of the townspeople who flocked to the convent to inquire on the abbess.  When news of her death became widely known, crowds attended her funeral to pay their final respects; snipping pieces of her habit to keep as treasured relics.

Mattia's remains were initially buried in secret by the Poor Clares but was interred 18 days later near the high altar of her convent chapel after intense uproar by the people, who were indignant that the abbess was not in a tomb worthy of her sanctity.   During this first exhumation the virginal body was found free of corruption and still exhaling a sweet scent.  A later exhumation in 1536 revealed the body to still be incorrupt and mysteriously exuding manna comprised of a mixture of fragrant blood and water.  Subsequent inquiries and transfers of the remains continued to confirm the incorruptible state of Mattia's body, as well as the appearance of the manna.  The Poor Clares used linens to soak up the abundant blood-sweat and distributed them piece by piece to pilgrims, which effected cures throughout the centuries.

The popular devotion to Mattia that existed in Matelica since her death was later confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in July 1765, effectively declaring her a Blessed.  A second approved miracle is still needed to raise her to the glory of Sainthood.  Bl. Mattia Nazarei, pray for us... and may God be pleased to grant us the gift of your speedy canonization.

Left:  A relic of linen soaked in Bl. Mattia's

blood-manna in this ministry's custody.

Right:  Her incorrupt body, as venerated in

the Poor Clare Convent of Matelica.

A Reflection

"And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting."  ~ Words of Jesus, Matt. 19:29

A Short Prayer
Lord, like Bl. Mattia Nazarei, help us to choose You above all others; above earthly wealth and distractions, which are merely passing illusions.  Amen.