By Tom Thomas
A recent retreat, I attended brought home the learning that God speaks to us through His word, which we must read daily. On October 15th, Pope Francis brought out, On Confidence, a special apostolic exhortation on St Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy face, the Little Flower, Patron of Missionaries, who never stepped outside the four walls of her convent and died at age 24. This communication issued to coincide with the 150th Birth anniversary of the Saint starts with the statement “It is confidence and nothing but confidence that must lead us to Love”.”
How is this possible that a nun had so much confidence as to become Patron of Missionaries? She writes in her autobiography, Story of a Soul , how the words from Mk 3:13 called out to her, giving her the mystery of her vocation “those whom he desired.”
She says, “I wondered for a long time why God has preferences, why all souls don’t receive an equal amount of graces.”
What is He telling us? Who am I? St Theresa certainly found the answer to this question.
In particular, on reading her life story, which though short was marked by exemplary holiness, mortification and confidence in the moments of spiritual darkness, I was struck at the power of Intercessory Prayer.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines Intercessory Prayer in 2635 “Since Abraham, intercession – asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of praying for those who do him harm.”
The Book of Tobit 8:5-8 contains one of the finest examples of intercessory prayers by Tobias. There are other examples in Scriptures such as Gen 18:23-33 where Abraham pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah, Jesus praying for his disciples in Jn 17:9-19, Paul praying for the Philippians in Philippians 1:3-11, the early Christians praying for each other in Acts 12:5, Acts 16:25 and 1 Tim 2:1-8 amongst others.
The subject of Intercessory Prayer has also been explored in depth by the Holy Father in General Audience on 16th December 2020. The Holy Father says, “While the whole Church has the mission of interceding for all – especially for those who suffer, those who do not know how to pray or have lost their way in life – this duty falls particularly to those in positions of responsibility, such as parents, teachers or priests. Although often hidden from the world, our intercessions are never hidden from God, who always hears those who cry to him. Like Christ the Good Shepherd interceding with his heavenly Father for all his children, may our own prayer always be attentive to those most in need, and so contribute to the great network of intercession that sustains the life of the world.”
St Therese writes in her life story about interceding fervently for notorious mass murderer Pranzini who was unrepentant to almost the very end, and how she earnestly prayed for his conversion. In virtually one of the last moments of his life, as he was being marched towards the gallows, Pranzini took the cross from a nearby Priest and kissed the three sacred wounds of Jesus, before facing his death. On reading this account in the papers, St Therese mentions how overwhelmed and grateful she was that the Lord answered her prayers.
The Holy Father beautifully summarises how by following the Little Way outlined by Sister Therese we can find the following:
“In an age that urges us to focus on our ourselves and our own interests, Theresa shows us the beauty of making our lives a gift.
At a time when the most superficial needs and desires are glorified, she testifies to the radicalism of the Gospel.
In an age of individualism, she makes us discover the value of a love that becomes intercession for others.
At a time when human beings are obsessed with grandeur and new forms of power, she points out to us the little way.
In an age that casts aside so many of our brothers and sisters, she teaches us the beauty of concern and responsibility for one another.
At a time of great complexity, she can help us rediscover the importance of simplicity, the absolute primacy of love, trust and abandonment, and thus move beyond a legalistic or moralistic mindset that would fill the Christian life with rules and regulations, and cause the joy of the Gospel to grow cold.
In an age of indifference and self-absorption, Therese inspires us to be missionary disciples, captivated by the attractiveness of Jesus and the Gospel.”
Can we recite the following prayer regularly as desired by the Holy Father, to be confident as St Therese was:
Dear Saint Therese,
the Church needs to radiate the brightness,
the fragrance and the joy of the Gospel.
Send us your roses!
Help us to be, like yourself,
ever confident in God’s immense love for us,
so that we may imitate each day
your “little way” of holiness.
Amen.