Every week has surprises in store for us, and this one, marking the end of September and the beginning of October, the month traditionally dedicated to the holy Rosary and the missions, invites us to learn from the little ones!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Holy Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael
The holy Archangels are our companions on life’s journey, serving God and our lives. Each has a specific task: Michael helps us overcome temptations and defends us from evil. Gabriel brings good news and helps us not to forget that Jesus came among us to save us. Finally, the third archangel, Raphael, helps us avoid taking the wrong step, not remain stuck, and heal from ailments of body and spirit. Let us not be afraid to call upon their help! Let us ask the archangels to turn their gaze upon us, to help us understand God’s will, to defend us against the evil one, and to care for our soul when it becomes ill.
To learn more:
• Mikha’el. Who is like God?
• The angelic crown
• Prayers with the angels
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus
Thérèse of Lisieux, better known as Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face or simply Saint Thérèse, lived only 24 years, at the end of the 19th century, leading a very simple and hidden life, a life that seemed “small,” simple: “I have always remained little, having no other occupation than picking flowers, the flowers of love and sacrifice, and offering them to the good Lord for his pleasure.” After her death and the publication of her writings, she became one of the best-known and most-loved saints. Thérèse recounts her spiritual journey mainly in the story of her life, published one year after her death under the title “The Story of a Soul.” It was an immediate huge success, translated into many languages and distributed throughout the world. “The Story of a Soul” is indeed a wonderful love story, told with such authenticity, simplicity, and freshness that the reader cannot help but be captivated by it! But what is this love that filled Thérèse’s entire life, from childhood to death? This love has a face, it has a name: Jesus! Jesus does not ask for great deeds, but only surrender and gratitude. Today, let us all ask together for the grace of a simple heart, one that knows how to become small, one that knows how to believe and live in the gentle strength of love.
To learn more:
• The Story of a Soul
• Novena of roses to Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Holy guardian angels
Today we celebrate our guardian angel. Here are some simple reflections by Pope Francis that can guide us on our journey: “Our Angel is not only with us, but sees God the Father. He is in relationship with Him. He is the daily bridge, from the time we get up until we go to bed at night, who accompanies us and is in relationship with the Father and with us. The Angel is the daily gateway to transcendence, to the encounter with the Father: that is, the Angel who helps me along the way does so because he looks to the Father and knows which path to take. Let us not forget these companions on our journey.” Let us make the Pope’s invitation our own and listen to this messenger, great and small at the same time, who accompanies us at every step and speaks in the name and on behalf of God to show us, day after day, the path to true joy and salvation.
To learn more:
• Novena to the guardian angel
• Prayers with the angels
• Angels. Who they are and what they do
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Saint Francis of Assisi
Raised in luxury, Francis spent a considerable part of his youth in pleasures and riches. At the age of 24, after fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia, he was captured and imprisoned. He remained in prison for almost a year, and during this time he received the Lord’s call. After being released, Francis abandoned his life of luxury, publicly renouncing his father’s possessions; he chose the path of evangelical smallness and devoted himself entirely to Christ. He set out with a few followers toward a life of prayer and obedience to “Sister Poverty”; two years after his death in 1226, he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX, while in 1939 Pope Pius XII proclaimed him patron saint of Italy. Saint Francis of Assisi was, and still is today, one of the most beloved saints throughout the world.
To learn more:
• The Little Flowers of Saint Francis
• Prayers to Saint Francis and Saint Clare
“Do you want to be great? Begin by being small. Do you want to raise a building that reaches to heaven? First build the foundations of humility” (Saint Augustine).
In the smallness of our simple daily lives, our Lord, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we pray: reveal to us the infinite measure of your love.
I look forward to hearing from you in the comments!
Have a good journey!
