Love your powerlessness. - St. Therese
We can have no genuine hope of peace and salvation apart from Christ crucified. - Jacques Fesch
“Do not ask God to save such and such a person, or to help this one or that, but ask him that you may love him, and that his will may be done. You must talk with him familiarly, and explain to him that you want to love him well, but that you can’t do it, that many things seem obscure and illogical to you, and that you would like to understand them a little better … and do not hesitate, all day long, to invoke heaven.” - Jacques Fesch
Little Therese, pray for us who are weaker than you.
H/T Eugene
what a wonderful painting of little Therese ! thanks Terry: have never seen this.
ReplyDeleteand Jacques Fesch, I will look to read him now: another unknown to me I can look forward to.
When we need humility and peace we get these introductions don't we ?
I love that painting of Therese - it's by an Italian artist I think. I should have posted his name.
DeleteSee Heather King's wonderful article on Jacques in this week's Angelus.com (LA Archdiocese). He is truly a miracle of grace. When the French are good, they are very, very good...
ReplyDeleteHi Fr. - I link to her article in the post. Thanks.
DeleteGood, Terry! That other address takes you to a wine company!
ReplyDeleteWhat other address? Anyway.
DeleteJumpy claps! A new picture of my Little Flower!!!! Terry - did you get my email?
ReplyDeleteYes - sorry - I've been bad about emails lately - bad at responding that is. Pray for me when you are there - she knows me and knows what I mean and what I need. Just remind her for me and tell her I'm sorry I didn't hold on to something. She knows, but she might be pleased if you remind her. (That's how little kids are you know.)
DeleteI am happy to be your "messenger"!
DeleteAngela Messenger!
DeleteThe hourglass is interesting. I don't think I've ever seen that in a religious painting or icon.
ReplyDeletedo you understand what it means Angela ? I'd like to know....
DeleteHi Consolata, for me it means that NOW is the time to pray, to praise God, to confess, to forgive, to love. What it means for others, I don't know.
DeleteAfter a quick search on google I see Therese had an hour glass in her cell. Will need to dig a little deeper because now I am even more curious!
DeleteI'm not sure the artist's significance with the hourglass, except Therese was faithful to the horarium - at the sound of the bell, at the emptying of the hourglass she would leave off whatever she was doing and respond to the moment or call. This was presented as scrupulous in The Nun's Story, but in monastic tradition there's and eschatalogical sense to it - to leave everything behind is what will happen when called from this life.
DeleteHowever, the hourglass may signify her charity in caring for Sr. St. Pierre, who used to shake her hour glass to tell Therese she wanted to go. So it may represent that as well.
Fascinating!
Deleteyes that is all very interesting: esp re: Sister St. Pierre ! well time Is fleeting isn't it ?
Deletethis painting of her: radiant -
and I really like the delicacy and strength in that right hand.
Giovanni Gasparro is the artist.
DeleteOh ! thanks: I will enjoy looking at any works of him that I can find: btw: what a friend the internet is when it comes to access to great works: and especially to paintings & drawings not 'in museums': how many years has it been since I was able to get to a major museum ? however: I have inherited a family member's old car gps, so it will be easier - some day...I work now in a major well known print/copy:office supply place: not actually joking I mentioned that I guess I am meeting corporate's 'quota' for very low tech worker. plus I am slow...very slow...and I become easily alarmed with the multiple screens, interface things: I had expected to use my background in art to get a gig in the intense copy area; but I guess I washed out. this entire note is re: "love your powerlessness": rejoice in your littleness....and I do, actually: such a wonderful gift. also thinking about Lady Poverty...
DeleteThe hourglass reminded me of what time is ... a gift not to be squandered since "once it's gone, it's gone."
ReplyDeleteFather B once gave a very telling sermon on the gift of time, about how our days are already numbered from before birth, how the Lord is always calling us and how we waste precious time in responding to His call.
I know this to be true. As the years have gone by, I remember quite clearly the number of times I sensed Him calling to me, to come and sit a while, to spend time in prayer.
What was my response? I ignored His call, I put it away "for another time" or "later Lord, I promise."
I hope that when I stand before Him, mercy will be shown so that I spend my time in Purgatory making up for all that lost precious time.
"Seek Him now while he can still be found!"
Amen