She was tough, and this post recounts her exploits in the first world war. She appeared to French soldiers and did miracles. This is a trait she shares with every saint--the awareness that she is a soldier for Christ. The same language is used by St Benedict in his rule, and examine the writings of every saint and you will find the military imagery.
I realize that it is Lent and a time of battle, but I am feeling more and more the call to be a happy warrior, and look to St Therese as a patroness. How crazily wonderful is the Catholic faith that we put forward as our most noble knight the princess--and as the most manly warrior a little girl!
For more on this saint Pius XII called 'manly' you might want my book St Benedict and St Therese--The Little Rule and the Little Way.
It's one of those upside down things, Fr. L. The strongest warrior is a woman.
ReplyDeleteI've also been thinking about the two most vulnerable kinds of people in the world are a mother and child, but it is with those weak personages that God is building the kingdom of his Son and Mother.
I love your blog!