As we approach All Saints Day and All Souls Day, our thoughts turn to the topic of “Death & Dying.” Many people try to avoid thinking about that topic, as it brings on feelings of anxiety…or gloom…or fear. The fact of the matter is, we gain much wisdom by pondering death during our life. As the old saying goes: “The art of living well is in knowing how to die well.” What is death? How does one prepare for death? How do we confront our fear of death? St. Therese of Lisieux was confronted with death early in her life, from hearing about and seeing death all around her and especially in the death of her own mother when she was only 4 ½ years old. These occasions, rather than causing her to flee from the subject, enticed her throughout her life to ponder them deeply and seek the treasures of wisdom hidden therein. Yes, St. Therese had her own fears to confront. She confronted the meaning of death. She grasped the seed of faith in her belief in Heaven, beyond even her feelings. God allowed her to be purified especially in the last 18 months of her life. Her faith and embrace of God’s will and plan for her life surged forward in an ever- deeper surrender and abandonment to God. St. Therese shares her wisdom with us on this all-important topic which will help us today to prepare for that final day of this exile.
RESOURCES:
Scripture: 1 Thes. 5:2; 1 Cor 2:9; Ps. 23:4;
Catechism of the Catholic Church: #1016
Article:
“The Most Insightful St. Therese of Lisieux Quotes on Death” by Catherine Birri, http://www.coraevans.com/blog/article/the-most-insightful-st.-therese-of-lisieux-quotes-on-death
Books:“Story of a Soul: the Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux,” Study Edition, Trans. by John Clarke, OCD; Prepared by Marc Foley, OCD; ICS Publications.
“Living on Love!...” and “What I’ll Soon See for the First Time!...” found in “The Poetry of St. Therese of Lisieux,” Trans. by Donald Kenney, OCD; ICS Publications.
“The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux and Those Who Knew Her: General Correspondence, Vol. 2,” Trans. from the critical edition by John Clarke, OCD; ICS Publications.
“St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations,” Trans. from the critical edition by John Clarke, OCD; ICS Publications.
Interior Castle (part 7): Fifth Dwelling Place; Ch. 3 & 4: True Union with God
Evangelical Counsels and Perfection
Interior Castle (part 6): Fifth Dwelling Place; New Life in Christ, Fragments of Heaven
St. Therese: Being and doing for the Lord
St. John of the Cross’ Light in the Dark
Interior Castle (part 5): Fourth Dwelling Place; Transition & Transformation
Interior Castle (part 4): Third Dwelling Place; Pioneer or Settler?
The extraordinary--but ordinary--life of St. Joseph
Interior Castle (part 3): Second dwelling place, the seed is germinating, the battle intensifies
“Nada, Nada, Nada” of St. John of the Cross
Faith Is not a zero-sum game, with Deacon Mark Danis, OCDS
Lenten thoughts & resources for 2023
Interior Castle (part 2): Image of the Soul in the First Dwelling Place
St. Therese’s Influence on a Priest’s Vocation
A Soul of Silence: Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity
Interior Castle (part 1): The Our Father Prayer
Replay: St. Teresa Margaret and the Practice of the Presence of God
Christ Made Manifest (Epiphany)
Rejoice and Be Light (Homily by Fr. John MacQuarrie)
Replay: The Christmas Grace and Epiphany of St. Therese of Lisieux
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Kingdom Power Fellowship Podcast
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)