I have always loved October for ushering in the Fall season, but now I can add 3 other reasons for loving it–celebrating the feast days of 3 great saints who help to shift my focus as the weather shifts.
St. Therese, the Little Flower– God is in the little ordinary moments and relationships in our lives. Her life is an example of how far reaching our tiny moments of love are even if they remain hidden from us.
Although she died before the age of 25 and spent most of her life cloistered in the convent, she became one of the most well-known and beloved saints in the church. How? It was the spread of her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul”, that she wrote as she lay dying. It told of her belief in the “Little Way”… to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. She saw herself as a tiny flower in God’s garden, unnoticed by others but growing and giving glory to God who could reveal his greatness through her. She practiced child-like trust and absolute surrender, knowing that in her “littleness” she needed Jesus to lift her in his arms to carry her to heaven. One example of an ordinary moment that she describes in her book is her inner turmoil over her dislike of another nun in the convent. She found her to be so disagreeable that she had to counteract it not just by praying for the grouchy nun, but by actually smiling at her and doing kind things for her. She ended up being so successful in this that the other nun thought she loved her best of all! It was then that she saw the hidden beauty in this nun and loved her. How many of us can relate to that? I definitely have felt impatient with coworkers or family members and even praying about them wasn’t enough. It wasn’t until I put into action kindness toward them that a shift would occur in me and I would see them in a different way. St. Therese teaches me to be present to love in each moment and to ask God to lift me up when I struggle.
St. Francis of Assissi– God is in the natural world all around us. His life is an example how living simply brings us closer to peace.
Spending time in nature draws us closer to God and closer to peace. St. Francis gave up worldly possessions in order to live a more simple life and find a greater intimacy with God. Although renouncing his patriarchy and inheritance caused a division with his family, it created peace in his soul. He could spend time caring for the natural world around him and marveling at its wonder. He wrote this famous poem, “The Canticle of the Sun”, where he addresses each element of nature as part of one family.
Most high, all powerful, all good Lord!
All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing.
To you, alone, Most High, do they belong.
No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name.
Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures
Especially through my lord Brother Sun,
Who brings the day, and you give light through him.
And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor!
Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars
In the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air
And clouds and storms, and all the weather
Through which you give your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, My Lord, through Sister Water
She is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brother Fire,
Through whom you brighten the night.
He is beautiful and cheerful, and powerful and strong.
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth
Who feeds us and rules us
And produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Be praised, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of you.
Through those who endure sickness and trial.
Happy those who endure in peace, for by you, Most High, they will be crowned.
Be praised, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death,
From whose embrace no living person can escape.
Woe to those who die in mortal sin!
Happy those she finds doing your most holy will.
The second death can do no harm to them.
Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility.
He not only saw the connection in all things, but he also lived a life where peace flowed from him with far-reaching effects. Many still recite the prayer that he lived by: “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”.
St. Faustina– God is in the Divine Mercy. Her life is an example of how God invites us, no matter our status, to bring love and mercy in the world.
In a time when women were valued little, especially if they did not have money or a husband, St. Faustina was given a vision from God that she was invited to share with the world. The message was too important to ignore even though it felt impossible to get anyone to listen to her.
Faustina recorded the messages she received from Jesus in her diaries. Underlying all of the messages is the theme to trust in Jesus and lay all before him, because he only wants to bless us abundantly with his love and mercy. “Tell [all people], My daughter, that I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls.” —Diary 1074
She also received the vision of an image that she painted despite feeling as though she could never do it justice. “I am offering people a vessel with which they are to keep coming for graces to the fountain of mercy. That vessel is this image with the signature: ‘Jesus, I trust in You.’” —Diary 327. This image and the words are meant to draw people closer to love. Upon gazing at this image in a contemplative way, many have found great healing and the ability surrender their fears. Despite being a woman who claimed she had no artistic skills, this image became a world-wide venerated image.
About the Author: Julie Glaser is a healer who creates sacred spaces for others to share, release, and grow. She’s in the habit of being in awe and wonder and writes to share her own experiences with other inquisitive souls in the process of transforming.
Spiritual Direction and Healing Touch Energy Therapy 