Saints & Marian Devotions
As we had joyfully celebrated the feast day for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, this past week, we now take a quiet moment to reflect thoughtfully on and gaze with deep reverence upon the profound and unwavering devotion of St. Thérèse of Lisieux to our Blessed Mother. I don’t know about you, but there is no doubt that upon entering my home, it is evident by the many depictions of Mama Mary throughout my living space that my great devotion to our Blessed Mother is strongly present. St. Thérèse’s profound devotion was firmly rooted in her childhood, notably marked by a miraculous healing attributed to the loving and compassionate intercession of the Virgin Mary herself. This early experience shaped her lifelong spiritual journey and deepened her love and trust in Mary’s maternal care.
At the age of 10, Thérèse experienced a severe nervous illness that significantly affected her young life. She was miraculously cured after fervently praying before a statue of the Virgin Mary, an event that profoundly strengthened and solidified her lifelong devotion. This particular statue remained a treasured and cherished object for her throughout the entirety of her life. This early and transformative experience blossomed into a deep and enduring spiritual connection, through which St. Thérèse came to view Mary not only as her heavenly Mother and faithful advocate but also as a powerful guiding model for her own spiritual journey—one marked by complete "trust and love" in God’s mercy and grace.
She entrusted all her heartfelt prayers and important projects to Mary. She consistently encouraged others to seek comfort and guidance from Mary during their times of difficulty, famously telling her sister, "It is not to me that you go and say what weighs you down, but to the Blessed Virgin." This deep trust in Mary served as a source of strength and inspiration for both herself and those around her. Mary’s habit of quietly thinking about events inspired Thérèse’s spirituality. Thérèse’s "little way" found holiness in everyday life, with Mary guiding her in reading the Bible and living her faith. Before St. Thérèse passed away, she composed the heartfelt poem titled "Why I love you, O Mary!" as a profound expression of her deep love and devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Why do I love you, O Mary!
Oh! I would like to sing, Mother, why I love you!
Why your sweet name makes my heart shudder!
And why think of your supreme greatness
Could not inspire my soul with fear.
If I looked at you in your sublime glory,
And surpassed the brightness of all the blessed;
That I am your child, I could not believe it .....
Marie, ah! in front of you I would lower my eyes.
It is necessary, so that a child can cherish his mother,
That she weep with him, share his pains.
O Queen of my heart, on the foreign shore,
To draw me to you, that you shed tears!
In meditating your life written in the Gospel,
I dare to look at you and approach you;
Believe me your child is not difficult
for me , because I see you mortal and suffering like me.
When an angel of heaven offers you to be the Mother
of God who must reign all eternity,
I see you prefer, what an amazing mystery!
The ineffable treasure of virginity.
I understand that your soul, O Immaculate Virgin, is
dearer to the Lord than the Divine Living.
I understand that your soul, humble and sweet valley,
Contian my Jesus, the Ocean of love!
I love you, telling you the little maid
of God that you delight in your humility.
This great virtue makes you all-powerful,
It draws in your heart the Holy Trinity!
Then the Spirit of love covering you with its shadow,
The Son equal to the Father in you is incarnate ...
Of his sinful brothers great is the number,
Since it must be called: Jesus, your first- born!
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your spiritual journey! Keep at it! Keep praying. Love the Lord.
Peace and Grace.Fran Acosta,OFS
