Quote:
“My slightest sighs, my greatest sufferings, my sorrows and my joys, my little sacrifices: my flowers, Jesus.” –“Strewing Flowers” by St. Therese

Reflection:
St. Therese would use poetry to both express herself and bring joy to her Carmelite sisters. On June 28, 1896, St. Therese wrote, “Strewing Flowers” for her sister, Pauline, in celebration of her feast day.

In this poem, St. Therese offered up her “flowers” all for Jesus. Her sighs, sufferings, sorrows, joys, and sacrifices are the “petals” she offers up to Jesus. If you look at these offerings, they touch on a broad range of emotions, and she offers them all to Jesus. Everything Therese did was to love God and to share his love with others.

Therese said, “Everything is Grace!” It is grace to suffer and it is grace to rejoice. Grace is given to us as a gift from God. Let us rejoice in our sighs and suffering, and in our sorrows and joy, for when we rejoice always, we are celebrating God’s grace. 

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