Opening Prayer
Creator God, You are still giving birth to Your creation and Your reign. Sometimes the birth pangs we struggle with hurt and stretch, so we wonder whether the fullness of new life is worth it. Renew our sense of hope amid the struggles and labor pains of our lives. Help us to see and respect that You are the seed planted within our human experience and the leaven within the dough of our lives. You make life happen. Thank you for being the God of Life and source of all growth. Teach us to be midwives to Your creative and birthing presence today. Give us patience with the seed growing, especially when it is hidden. Make us gentle in kneading the dough.
You are so wonderfully determined, gentle Therese. You knew that your call to Carmel was from God – and even as you received resistance from many sources, you were not deterred. On this day, in 1887, you fixed your hair to look older and courageously went to see your local Bishop to seek his permission to enter the Carmel early. You knew he could override the others, but were not stymied when he vacillated. Help us to remain faithful to calls from God deep within, even when others do not agree or affirm. Keep us faithful to our vocation of life.
View Scripture on USCCB Website