All Hallows Eve

Halloween has become big business in the United States, a billion dollar holiday between costumes, extravagant house and lawn decorations and candy.  Its origin and evolution provide a fascinating study of the blending of Christian and pagan customs. Briefly, it stems for the vigil that was held on the eve of All Saints, All Hallows, an old English word for "Holy" which we retain the in the Lord's Prayer, "hallowed be thy name."  There were so many martyrs, named and unnamed, that the Church decided to lump them all together to be remembered at Mass on November 1st, All Saints and to commemorate all the deceased the next day on All Souls Day. October 31st signals the beginning of "Allhallowstide." Costumes and "trick or treating" derive from the pagan celebration of mischievous spirits and cakes that were baked, collected and begged by those who were not able to bake them.  In the excitement generated by our current customs, especially among children, it would be good to research this day, explain to them its true religious meaning and origins and offer a prayer for the souls of the faithful departed before they hit the neighborhood to loot and spook.
Bro Rene

Mustard Seed and Yeast

Mustard seed, tiny and insignificant; yeast,unimpressive as a solid or a dried grain, yet when planted in soil or warm, wet flour,they release enough force to yield a nine foot bush or at least one large  loaf of bread. Power contained in these humble and modest grains released under the right conditions produces amazing results.  God working in us, broken, fragmented, yet "feeding so many with so little", as poet John Kinsella wrote. Let us not be too proud or arrogant to see ourselves as that small, insignificant seed, grain or fragment that God has chosen to bear fruit, feed or strengthen our neighbor.  "Less is More" the weak and broken of the world he has chosen to confound the proud (cf. 1 Cor 27) and to assure the skeptics that is it HIS doing, not ours.
Bro. Rene

Miracles Still Happen

The cure of the crippled woman in Luke 13:10-17, assures us that miracles are possible, even today. Our prayers are answered with physical miracles as in the story of a young boy who needed a delicate heart operation to close holes in his heart.  His church congregation prayed for him the night before the operation, and when the doctors began the surgery, they found that the holes had already closed up. How a Rwandan boy came to study physical therapy in the United States through impossible  hoops and obstacles and is now a successful physical therapist, with a family, home and ever grateful heart is another example of how God continues to work miracles...May our prayers be offere in earnest faith, with persistence and trust that they will be answered, even when miracles are the only solution.
Bro. Rene

Pleading For Sight

today we hear the story of the blind Bartimaeus, (Mk 10:46-52) who did not hesitate to shout out his request to be cured of his blindness. He caused such a commotion that Jesus asked for him to be brought to him, and in a simple and direct exchange, Jesus granted him his sight.  How many people cry out daily for cures, how many do we pray for?  The need never ends.  Is there a secret as to why some are cured immediately and others not?  The answer lies in the mystery of God's will, but the lesson that Bartimaeus gives us is to put our request blatantly, and simply before God...yes, even to shout it out, acknowledging who Jesus is and in the faith that if it be the will of the Father, the cure will come.
Bro. Rene

Tending the Fig Tree

Luke's Gospel today presents the parable of the fig tree that was barren, so much so that it's owner was about to cut it down. (Lk 13:1-9)  The gardener,however, made a plea for another year so that he might tend it with loving care, cultivating and  fertilizing the soil around it so that it might come to life and bear fruit again.  If the fig tree were a human being, it would be grateful for the extension and most likely do all it could to respond.
How many times do we need that extension; where would be be without the many extensions God gives us, overlooking our failures and interested more in our striving?.  Our spiritual growth is a process requiring time and "rebooting" as mistakes and failures plague us daily. We as persons and we as Church need to place our complete trust in Jesus, the One who tends our progress with tenderness and patience. St. Paul puts it this way.: Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the Body's growth and build itself up in love. (Eph4:16). 
Bro. Rene

Called To Be Humble, Gentle And Patient

Paul sets the bar high for the Ephesians and us when we writes:  "I a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call your received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace..." (Eph 4: 1-2) Most of us cannot meet the standard in all of these admirable qualities, and when we do meet such a person, our hearts beat in admiration and desire to emulate such an outstanding Christian.  We wonder why this quiet, humble person can cause such a stir with people of all ages.  Perhaps it's because his or her mere presence is an inspiration and stirs a desire to be like that, or gives us confidence that it is possible for a human being to have such qualities.  Whatever disposition we have been given, there is hope that striving to be humble, gentle, patient and an instrument of unity and peace is not a waste of our time but a noble effort that will bear fruit "in due season.".
Bro. Rene

We Need Fire

Jesus said to his disciples and repeats again to us today:  "Ii have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wishit were already blazing." (Lk 12:49).  He must have been fed up with the lack of passion, indifference or lukewarmness he encountered as he preached...Yes, there were countless numbers seeking cures, but how many really took his teaching to heart?  What would he say to our world that shows no interest in his teachings and in many places resists them with violence and hatred?  Would that the passion exerted against him were turned into passion FOR him!  That is the fire he is seeking.   It may begin small, as is the wont with fires, but then turn into a blaze. The fire ignited by Benedict of Nursia began in a cave outside of Rome, but eventually burst into the monastic movement which saved Europe from self-destruction, preserved the learning of the past and spread Christianity to the globe.  One man, who, fed up with the lifestyle of his era, rejected it and built a fire that burns steadily today.  We need that fire, we need to tap into it and get it roaring again. May God help us to be the spark to spread the fire, even in our own quiet and simple ways...
Bro. Rene

An Antidote For Stress

Various degrees of stress invade our lives daily.  The more we get involved, the longer we live, we can't seem to avoid conflicts in schedules, interests, involvements, and the pains that come with each advancing year of our lives.  As an answer, a relief, to our anxiety-laden lives, we hear in today's Responsorial Psalm taken from the Prophet, Isaiah:
 "God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the Lord,
and he has been my savior 
You will draw water joyfully
 from the springs of salvation." (Is 12:2-3).
May we find peace from those waters, and confidence that all will work out in God's time and in God's way, which is always better than ours.\
Bro. Rene

Being Vigilant

We're coming to the end of the Liturgical Year and not wasting a minute of preparation time, our Gospel today speaks about vigilance.  Jesus warns his disciples to gird their loins and light their lamps to be like servants awaiting their master's return from a wedding, ready to open the gate for him when he knocks. (cf. Lk 12: 35)  We tend to think of this as the final knock calling us to the next life, but it could also be the knock calling us to a new level of friendship with Jesus, a new level of service to our families or communities, a new job, a new role, and invitation to "something different." Would we be ready?  Could we leave our familiar routine, our comfortable life-styles and take up something more bold and daring?  Growth in our spiritual lives means readiness to move, to change, to venture into "uncharted territories".  We have nothing to fear; it's Jesus who calls.  May we be vigilant, ready and willing to answer with a positive and confident YES!
Bro. Rene

Opening Our Eyes and Hearts To The Poor

Today's Gospel passage begins with a squabble over a family inheritance (cf. Lk 12:13), a not uncommon battle from time immemorial. Jesus responds with an illustration of how shallow and unsatisfying it is to store up, hoard, and  cling to material wealth.  Yet, we look around and see large houses, garages, and storage facilities multiplying in order to meet the seemingly insatiable urge to accumulate, and not part with things we never use, but keep "just in case."  We are all guilty of this in varying degrees.
As we honor St. John Paul II today,  we might listen to his views on mercy, charity and solidarity with the poor.  He saw poverty as an imprisonment of people and nations who are saddled by debt and helpless dependence on others for sustenance. He called for action on debt forgiveness,  aid to help people stand on their own again, and a sharing of wealth in order for this to happen.
Perhaps on a local level, we could open those garages and storage sheds and see what we could sell or distribute to those who have less, or even nothing, a gesture which would help them "get on their feet" and free us from the prison of our own abundance.
Bro Rene

A Healthy Ambition

We never seem to be satisfied with ourselves, and are always looking for something more. Not a bad thing, but WHAT we are looking for might not be a healthy quest.   James and  John, as we read in today's Gospel, are looking for the high places at the right and left hands of Jesus. (Mk 10: 35-45). A dangerous request, as Jesus warns them that they do not understand the full ramifications of being in those positions.  Rather, he tells them that being the"servant of all" is the way to being great.  He knows what's in us, our egos, our "impossible dreams", our self-centeredness, and does not dismiss us but rather with compassion invites us "to approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help." (Heb 4:16).  Such a healthy ambition will enable us to be the leader we aspire to be, the "servant leader."
Bro Rene

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

"We proclaim Christ crucified;/ the power of God and the wisdom of God" Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor 1: 23-24).  Jesus assured us  that "the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say." (Lk 12:12). Our tumultuous times demand witnesses to the truth, living examples of the power of God at work (yes, believe it or not, God is still at work amidst the scandals, violence and division that characterize so much of life today).  There is no power greater than the power of God and the wisdom of God. Trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us in our daily conversations, we can be effective bearers of the truth that seems to be lacking so much in our world.  May we open our hearts as Mary did, to welcome that Holy Spirit and become Christ Bearers to a world that sorely needs him.
Bro. Rene

Worth More Than Many Sparrows

As we celebrate the Memorial of the North American Martyrs, Saints Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, Rene Goupil and companions, let us pray for the courage to stand up for our faith, live it and share it with others as these men did, giving even their blood.  Within and without the Church, there is division, pain, and deviation from the path laid out by Jesus, but he promised that "the gates of hell would not prevail", so let us do our best today to live in faith, hope, love and confidence to make his promise come true.  We have nothing to fear: are we not worth "more than many sparrows?" (Lk 12: 7)
Bro. Rene

Our Debt To St. Luke

The Church honors St. Luke the Evangelist, traditionally recognized as the author of the third Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles. St. Paul refers to him as "the physician, Luke", and author, Taylor Caldwell, entitled her novel/biography of him as the Dear And Glorious Physician, a moving work, popular in the '50's and still worth an engaging read today. From what we know, Luke was a Gentile, writing for Gentiles; a masterful writer who described Jesus as healer, a man of compassion, tenderness and sensitivity,  who paid special attention to the poor and needy and remained focused on his mission to carry out the will of the father.  It is Luke who gives us the detail of Jesus sweating blood during his agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and it is he from whom we learn  most of what we know about Mary, the Mother of God, including her beautiful hymn of praise, The Magnificat,  (Lk 1: 46-55) and the Canticle of Zechariah, (Lk 1: 68-79) at the birth of his son, John the Baptist. Tradition has it that he was an artist who painted the first icon of Mary, some believe is the famous Our Lady of Czestokowa treasured by the people of Poland.
St. Luke inspires us to use the talents God has given us to evangelize, that is, bear witness to Jesus and spread knowledge of him via our actions (and if necessary, our words), by imitating the tenderness, compassion, and sensitivity of Jesus to a world which knows him not, but which hungers for him.
Bro. rene

A Tree Near Running Water

Psalm 1 compares the person who follows the Law, a Just Person, to a tree planted near running water. Such a tree remains green, is fruitful in due season and prospers.  Following the Law demands reflection on it, avoidance of the counsel of the "wicked", and the company of the "insolent."  This formula remains true today: daily prayerful reflection, mixing with good company, which provides authentic joy, and contentment with the plan God has outline for happiness.  Sounds simple, and is.  All we have to do is live and act this way, not just talk or read about it.
Bro. Rene. 

Keeping The Cups And Dishes Clean

Today we find Jesus confronted by a Pharisee who noticed that Jesus did not do the usual ritual washing before the meal.  Jesus retorts that it is more important to give alms than to be concerned about insignificant details of the Law.  He uses the example of dirty dishes to illustrate his point. (cf. Lk 11:37-41).  We all know how disgusting dirty cups and dishes are, but even worse is the person who does not take care of the visible needs of others, be it tuition money, food money, clothing, shelter, comfort or encouragement.  To ignore these while spending time with the dirty cups is missing the opportunity to put the commandment of love into action.
Bro. Rene

The Great St. Teresa

St. Teresa of Avila, whose memorial we celebrate today, is often referred to as the Great Teresa, not only to distinguish here from St. Theresa of Lisieux, the "Little Flower", but also because of her amazing life and writings.  She set about to reform the Carmelite Order of Nuns in 16th century Spain, was vigorous in establishing reformed convents, and wrote several monumental books on prayer, contemplation and spirituality, The Ascent of Mt. Carmel, and The Interior Castle, to name two. She was the first woman, along with St. Catherine of Siena to be named a Doctor of the Church.  St. Theresa of Lisieux was later given this honor herself.
We sometimes shy away from St. Teresa because of the loftiness of her writings, and gravitate toward St. Theresa of Lisieux because of the simplicity and accessibility of her "Little Way", a spirituality for the "ordinary" person. Nwevertheless,  she was familiar with the writings of the Great Teresa and found them helpful in her own spiritual growth.
The important lesson for us, garnered from both these women, is that prayer is possible for us all, and must be an central part of our daily lives if we are serious about being a disciple of Jesus. If our yearning for "something more" or something to fill "the void" in our lives, is strong enough, we will find the time for quiet prayer, even if driving to work, or walking from one office or job to another. Our lives are busy, electronic "gadgets" smother us with messages by the minute, but can also be the gateway to soothing, uplifting, prayerful music, readings, or lectures.  "Imprisonment" by long commutes in heavy traffic can be a blessed time of prayer and communion with God.  What would the Great Tereasa or the Little Flower do?
Bro. Rene

The Next Level

When the rich young man asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit eternal life (cf. Mk 10:17-25), Jesus looked upon him with love and approval for his fidelity to the the commandments and challenged him to take the next step by selling his treasures, give the proceeds to the poor and follow him.  A BIG STEP...too steep, it turns out, for the man to accept.  He turns and goes sadly away.
At times, we who think we are doing our best to keep the commandments and lead a decent life, come to a similar point of desiring or being invited to step up to the next level, be it at our work, or church or community. Then we realize there are "things" in the way, habits, possessions, securities of multiple sorts, on which, consciously or unconsciously, we have come to depend.  Breaking away from them would require much, perhaps too much, and we squiggle to find an excuse to escape the challenge.  Are we condemned to remain where we are because we can't find the strength or courage to do more, or BE more?  If we go it alone, we just might remain in that comfortable rut, but with God's help, we can move to the next level.  When teetering on such a move, asking God  for the grace to help us make it will  help us do what we think is impossible. Without God, it IS impossible
Bro. Rene

Mary's Womb

"While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, 'Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed'." (Lk 11:27).  Such was her enthusiasm over her encounter with Jesus.  An earthy compliment, one that only a woman, a mother could make...One that also recognized the influence a mother has on her child, from the moment of conception, the nine-month gestation period and all that follows.  How fertile the womb of Mary, even today as we look upon the Church as a continuation of Mary's womb, continually bringing forth new Christs...Yes, we who hear the Word and observe it, are blessed and destined to be other Christs. May we, like Jesus find our nourishment, example and encouragement in so powerful and nurturing a Mother.
Bro. Rene

Dealing With Demons

The discussion Jesus had with the crowd who accused him of driving out demons by the power of Beelzebul himself, (Lk 11:15-26) calls to mind our own dealing with demons, be they within or without.  In the shadows of our inner self, the demons work with astounding cunning to trip us into uncharitable, judgemental or lascivious thoughts which then pass our lips and become public, often leading others to chime in with us. Hence the world in which we live with so much tangible hatred provoking violence and shocking immoral behaviors from trusted governmental or institutional leaders.  But we don't have to look far beyond our own noses to find similar shocking words and behaviors. We pray "and deliver us from evil" each time we pray the Lord's Prayer, for good reason. Let us realize how much we need that prayer, and let us mean what we say.
Bro. Rene

The Power of Prayer

Prayer Works.Today's Gospel passage, Lk 11:5-13, bears reading and carries the assurance that if we ask we shall receive. Why? Because of the Father's untamed and unlimited goodness.  Nothing can restrict it or limit it.  Why then does it seem that our prayers are not answered?  Perhaps it is because they are not always answered the way WE want them to be answered. God's plan is broader, better, beyond our limited view.  If we ae praying with true faith, we will be ready to accept HIS response. albeit different from our expected and desired response.  What is our alternative?  To stop praying?  Hardly.  Where then would we be but in a barren desert, alone and helpless.  It's best to stick with prayer and have our Loving Father on our side.
Bro. Rene

Short Version

St. Luke provides us with a streamlined version of The Lord's Prayer.  We are accustomed to praying it as presented by St. Matthew, but this shorter version might help us touch the essence of this familiar prayer a little bit better:  Father, hallowed be your name,/ your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread/ and forgive us our sins/ for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,/ and do not subject us to the final test. (Lk 11: 1-4).  Bishop Robert Barron's summary might also help us to pray this prayer from the heart rather than in our usual rote, fast paced manner.
 Can you see how this prayer rightly orders us? We must put God’s holy name first; we must strive to do his will in all things and at all times; we must be strengthened by spiritual food or we will fall; we must be agents of forgiveness; we must be able to withstand the dark powers.--
 Take a few deep breaths and pray this prayer slowly, and attentively,
Bro. Rene
 

What Is The One Thing

Today, we return to the familiar Gospel of Mary and Martha, Lk 10: 38-42. It provokes the question of what is the most important, busyness about chores, or quiet listening? We are surrounded by more "things to do" than there is time in the day to accomplish, or there are more voices besieging us with "the news", or more accurately, "the views", or we are pounded with advertising aiming to convince us to buy what we do not need, or even want.  At the end of the day, what is the ONE THING, the most necessary thing we need, should, must do?  Somewhere among all the noisy clutter, are we able to hear the voice of Jesus, are we able to to act on this ONE THING that indeed puts all the others in proper  perspecitve?
Bro. Rene

Being A Good Samaritan

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Lk 10:25-37, we see generosity extended beyond courtesy.  The Good Samaritan, at first cleans and binds up wounds, like a para-medic, interrupts his journey to bring the victim to an inn, reaches into his own pocket to pay for the lodging, and offers to stop back when he has finally accomplished his business and pay more, if necessary.   That's going the extra mile.  To us, Jesus says, "Go and to likewise." (Lk 10: 37.)
Bro. Rene

The Month of the Rosary

October 7th is usually the Feast of the Holy Rosary, but because it falls on a Sunday this year it will not be observed liturgically, but it deserves some mention, since October customarily is the month of the Rosary.
The feast originated after the naval battle of Lepanto in 1571.  Pope Pius V called on all Catholics to pray the rosary on the day when Christian forces faced the stronger Turkish fleet. (How did the Pope get the word out without a huge text alert or Facebook?) Amazingly the Christians defeated the Turks and the pope initiated the Feast of Our Lady of Victory to commemorate the event and give thanks to Mary for her intercession.  Three years later, the name changed to the Feast of the Holy Rosary in reference to the happy result of this powerful prayer.  This led to the dedication  of the entire month of October to the rosary.
What is the power of the Rosary?  Gradually, by meditating on the events in the life of Jesus during the recitation of each decade, a person experiences a noticeable peace and a slow movement toward Jesus, for the purpose of the prayer is not the rote recitation of the Hail Mary, but the focus on Jesus, always Mary's aim.  Through the rosary, one goes "to Jesus through Mary", which is the heart of the Marist motto, "All to Jesus through Mary", and the soul of its mission :"to make Jesus known and loved, especially to those most in need."  Today would be a good time to pray the Rosary, even one decade in order to be in tune with the "Month of the Rosary."
Bro. Rene

A Job Well Done

Today's Gospel recounts the return of the Seventy-Two after completing their first mission. Things have gone well, happening just as Jesus had desired, and they are exultant with joy. (Cf. Lk 10:17-24).  t As we know, there's nothing like the feeling of having accomplished a difficult, or seemingly impossible task.  Their joy touches Jesus and he too rejoices in the Holy Spirit and praises the Father for having given these childlike men a knowledge of the "hidden things" , and who now have seen "what many prophets and kings desired to see." (Lk 10:24).
When we finish a task and "the Boss" commends us, we know this inner feeling of satisfaction and the confidence that comes with "success" and spurs us on to be willing to take on even more difficult tasks without fear of failure. May our reflection on this passage strengthen our determination to be willing disciples, ready to do the bidding of Jesus today and always. There;s nothing to fear.
Bro. Rene

Mincing No Words

In today's Gospel, Jesus speaks forcefully and woefully to those whose ears have been deaf to his message.  He minces no words: if you refuse to listen to him and reject him, you reject the Father as well. (cf. Lk 10:16).  He is being intense to emphasize his point.
In the first reading from Job, 38: 1, 12-21; 40:3-5,  God embarrasses the tunic off Job by reminding him that He is the one who made the universe, not Job, concedes and promises not to question nor to criticize again.  God has ways of making his point, and gives us the example of what our living and teaching might be: direct and humble, yet with the force of conviction.
Bro .Rene

Il Poverello

The Poor Man of Assisi, Il Poverello, Francesco di Bernadoni, the beloved St. Francis of Assisi, whose lasting appeal still moves people of all faiths toward a simpler, more caring life.  Today's Gospel, Lk 10: 1-12, inspired St. Francis to the point of helping him change his life-style from a rich man's romantic dreamer son, to a force that continues "to rebuild the church" that is ever falling into ruins.  Francis heard this command to from the crucifix hanging in the church of San Damiano, and took it upon himself to begin the renovation project. He overstepped his bounds in selling some of his father's cloth inventory which led to the dramatic scene in front of the bishop when Francis relinquished everything, even the clothing he was wearing and made the break with his family and former life-style.  Friends of his soon joined him and even within his lifetime, he saw his small community grow to 5,000.
We spoke of Detachment yesterday and St. Francis surely practiced it, accepting "Lady Poverty" as his spouse. Few of us can live as freely as he did, putting total trust in God, but he provides "the bar" which he invites us to reach.
Bro. Rene

Detachment

In this morning's five verses, Luke 9:57-62, Jesus makes it powerfully  clear that following him demands that he have first place over burying a father, bidding farewell to a family and in  remaining faithful to a promise. When we put our hand to the plow, that is, to being a disciple, there's no turning back. Yes, we must go wherever the fields are that need plowing, our nest cannot be so comfortable that we cannot leave it when called to do so, and family ties cannot interfere with our response to "do whatever he tells you." (Jn 2:5) It may seem frightening and intimidating to put our lives, our wills on the line so dramatically, but Jesus always gives us the strength to do so, even to the point of our own amazement as we discover that we are doing things, or going places we never thought we could do.  The love of Jesus and the grace of God make all things possible.  Let's not let our attachments stand in the way.
Bro. Rene

Guardian Angels

The Old and New Testaments abound with references to angels, from Genesis to Revelation, mysterious beings who do the will of our Creator faithfully and effectively, from blocking re-entry to the Garden of Paradise, to standing before the Throne of God to give praise and worship.  In today's Gospel, Jesus defends little children against those who malign or despise them, saying that "their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my Heavenly Father." (Mt 18:10)  St. Basil the Great taught that "each and every member of the faithful has a Guardian Angel to protect, guard, and guide them through life." St. Bernard of Clairvaux  saw them as "proof that heaven denies us nothing that assists us."  "These celestial spirits have been placed at our sides to protect us, instruct us, and to guide us." (Magnificat, October, p. 43)
When we hesitate for a moment for some unknown reason before changing lanes while on the Interstate and some unseen car comes whizzing by, we know our Guardian Angel has been doing his job.  All of us can probably tell stories about accidents that didn't happen, or inexplicably finding our way to a destination (GPS notwithstanding).  "Proof", if you will, that Guardian Angels are for real.
Today is a day to honor them, talk to them, thank them, a practice that wouldn't hurt if done everyday.
Bro. Rene

A Vocation To Love

In the confines of the Carmel in Lisieux, with its cloistered, routine life of prayer and convent chores, Therese Martin, Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face practiced her :"little way" of performing all her daily activities in God's presence and out of love. From the humdrum tasks in the laundry to smiling at one of her "difficult" sisters, she lived her vocation of love. "In the heart of the Church, who is my Mother, I will be love,":she wrote. Living this way, in simplicity and trust, for only nine years, she found a place of welcome with the Father, and after the publication of her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, had a enormous impact on the world beyond the convent walls.  Her "Little Way" is doable by us all. She promised she would spend her heaven doing good on earth, and has kept that promise through thousands of miracles and favors.and through the spiritual path that has led many to a greater love of Jesus.  Parishes, schools, and women who bear her name are especially blessed, as is Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA.  Named a Doctor of of the Church in 1997 by Pope St. John Paul II, her wisdom is summed up thus: "Our Lord does not so much look at the greatness of our actions or even at their difficulty, as at the love with which we do them."
Bro. Rene