Why St. Thérèse Is Called the Greatest Saint of Modern Times by Pope St. Pius X

About this sermon

Why would St. Pius X call St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus “the greatest saint of modern times”? She wasn't a famous missionary, founder of a great religious order, or pope. She entered Carmel as a teenager, lived a hidden life within the convent, and died of tuberculosis in her twenties. Yet her apparent littleness reveals the secret of her greatness. In this homily for the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, we discover her famous Little Way of spiritual childhood: complete trust and surrender to God as our Heavenly Father. Through Baptism we become children of God. St. Thérèse teaches us how to actually live like His children—depending upon Him, trusting His Providence, and refusing to let go of His hand when suffering or uncertainty comes. But the Little Way also transforms the most ordinary parts of life. A sacrifice. A kind word. A smile. Making the Sign of the Cross carefully. A reverent genuflection. Washing the dishes. Making the bed. Caring for your spouse or children. God does not merely look at the apparent greatness of what we accomplish. He looks at the love with which we do it. As St. Thérèse teaches: “Nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love.” You don't have to accomplish something extraordinary to become a saint. Be faithful in the little things. Trust your Father. Do everything with love. 🌹 St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, pray for us! 00:00 Opening Prayer 00:19 Feast of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus 00:26 “The Greatest Saint of Modern Times” 00:50 Why St. Thérèse's Greatness Seems Strange 01:00 Big Actions vs. the Interior Life 01:17 The Saints Make the Gospel Visible 01:32 St. Thérèse: Doctor of the Church 01:56 The Little Way 02:02 The Way of Spiritual Childhood 02:09 Trust & Absolute Surrender 02:17 Baptism Makes Us Children of God 02:55 Why Christ Teaches Us to Say “Our Father” 03:20 Our Fundamental Relationship With God 03:35 Become Like Little Children 03:52 St. Francis de Sales on Spiritual Childhood 04:01 Hold Fast to Your Father's Hand 04:09 Living in the World Without Letting Go of God 04:35 St. Thérèse's Complete Abandonment to Providence 04:43 Tuberculosis, Darkness & Difficulties 05:07 She Never Let Go of God's Hand 05:16 How Children Depend Upon Their Parents 05:49 Depending Completely Upon God 06:06 Don't Worry About the Future 06:30 The Importance of Little Things 06:38 A Child's Little Gift to a Parent 06:55 God Looks at the Love Behind Our Actions 07:21 St. Thérèse's Little Sacrifices 07:30 A Sacrifice, a Look, a Word, a Smile 07:37 Ordinary Actions Can Become Acts of Love 07:53 The Sign of the Cross & Reverent Genuflection 08:08 Holiness in Marriage & Family Life 08:17 Dishes, Beds & Everyday Sainthood 08:34 “Nothing Is Small in the Eyes of God” 08:44 Why the Little Flower Became Great 08:52 A Path to Holiness Anyone Can Follow 09:08 Littleness Is the Road to Heaven 09:15 Faithful in Little Things 09:31 God Raises the Lowly 09:39 The Greatest of Modern Saints 09:47 St. Thérèse's Lesson for Us Today 10:05 Closing Prayer For more on the ICKSP parishes in Ireland, & to donate to them, please click here https://institute-christ-king.ie/ & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest #StTherese #LittleFlower #CatholicHomily #CatholicSaints #TheLittleWay #CatholicFaith #FeastDay #SpiritualChildhood #CatholicSermon #Holiness 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴

Topics

• Purpose & Calling