Deacon’s Corner

Looking at the month of October, the first of October jumped out at me and I did not need to look any further. It is the Memorial of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux “The Little Flower”, Virgin and Doctor of the Church! 

It occurred to me that it would be a good opportunity for our Sacred Heart family to pray the St. Thérèse Novena for Vocations. 

Our Diocese of Peoria, the Office of Priestly Vocations, chose St. Thérèse as their Patroness for our Priestly Vocations. You can access this novena prayer at this website: comeandfollowme.org 

Below are some of her famous quotes, a glimpse into her wisdom. 

“The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity.” 

“On the day of my conversion Charity entered into my heart and with it a yearning to forget self always; thence forward I was happy.” 

“I have not the courage to force myself to seek beautiful prayers in books; not knowing which to choose I act as children do who cannot read; I say quite simply to the good God what I want to tell Him, and He always understands me.” 

“I do not well see what more I shall have in Heaven than now. I shall see the good God, it is true; but as to being with Him, I am wholly with Him already upon earth.” 

“How I thirst for Heaven—that blessed habitation where our love for Jesus will have no limit! But to get there we must suffer... we must weep... Well, I wish to suffer all that shall please my Beloved.” 

For additional insights, read her autobiography Story of a Soul.

It’s the fall season, let us fall more deeply in love with Jesus! 

See you at the next Mass! 

Dcn Matt Martel