Saint Therese

When I was a child growing up, my parents devoutly took me to Church every weekend. Our Church was very small and humble, and didn't have very many statues inside. However the one that always stood in a place of honor at the back of the Church was our Parish patron, Therese of Lisieux.

She was a simple french girl, born into a family that had no shortage of drama, and trials and tribulations. She became a nun the very second the Bishop would allow, as she petitioned to enter at the age of only 15. She lived only til the age of 24, having died of Tuberculosis. Though her suffering was great, she never uttered a word of complaint. Today, among other things she is the patron of the Missions, and people who are living with AIDS.

The determination demonstrated by this young girl is undoubtedly an inspiration to all. Gaining entry into Religious Life is no easy task, but Therese at such a young age was determined to start her life of ministry as soon as possible. Her personal writings document her struggles living in community, her frustration with fellow nuns, and her pain and suffering from her illness. In 1997 the writings of this silent suffering servant resulted in the Church bestowing on her the title of 'Doctor of the Church', a title that has only been given to 33 people.

Lord knows there are many lessons I could take from her life and ministry. My sufferings are far from silent, and mny frustrations with others are rarely kept quiet either. Her determination however, is the quality I most hope to perfect. The best things in life require patience, determination, and sacrifice, but are worth every step. When I would complain while I was in Seminary, Priest friends would encourage me by saying once I reached my goal of Ordination to the Priesthood I would see that it was worth every suffering.

I guess at certain junctures in life we make a choice, we decide if the ends justifies the means. We decide if at this time in our lives, is the goal worth all the hard work. The danger is that we end up complacent. Too often we settle for less then we should, because it's easier that way. That's how so many people on the road to a "career" end up "stuck in a job" instead, because it's easier to tred water then to swim upstream. That's how so many people end up in relationships that are unhealthy, because it's easier to stay then to leave. That's how so often we may fail to speak up against things we disagree with, because it's easier to remain silent then to cause some waves.

How many movements in our nation and world would've died in their first moments if people had bought into that complacency. The gay rights movement, the end of segregation, the liberation of women, indeed our nation's very independence, were all movements that began with a small ripple and grew into historical movements that changed the lives of so many.

The determination of that little girl in Lisieux is certainly an inspiration to all. In our personal lives, and as a nation, we must never loose our determination. Maybe we never really reach an end goal, because when we do, there should be yet a further one. As Barack Obama said the night he won the Presidency, "This victory alone is not the change we seek, it's only the chance to make that change."