Solemn Feast Day: October 1

Novena: September 22-30

Novena Prayer

Father, through St. Thérèse,
help us to trust with a childlike disposition
in your mercy and love.
St. Thérèse, remember your promise
to do good on earth.
Shower down roses on us
and hear our prayers. Amen.

(For full image of the stained-glass window, please scroll to the bottom.)

“Near you, Mary, I like to remain little...”

("Why I Love You, O Mary” Poem)

This line, coming from one of St. Thérèse’s most
popular poems, captures what many find so attractive
about her spirituality. Her discovery of the “little way”
to God comes as a relief to us, keenly aware, as we are,
that our lives are generally quite humdrum and that
the greatest act of heroism we might make in a day is
to smile at our annoying co-worker. St. Thérèse, Doctor
of the Church, teaches us that loving in little ways each
day is enough in the eyes of God our Father, who knows
we are but children.

There is, however, another aspect of littleness that
this great Doctor teaches us. . . and one that, when it
strikes us, is far from sweet and palatable. It is the
littleness of incompetence, of being unrecognized or
belittled, of unanswered prayers, of failed dreams. It is
the littleness demanded of the faithful employee who,
after decades of service, is suddenly fired. It is the
littleness demanded of the family who, after the two-
minute terror of a violent tornado, find their home
utterly destroyed. It is the littleness demanded of aging
religious orders, whose fervent prayers for vocations
appear to go unheard, unheeded. It is, ultimately, the
littleness demanded of all of us, who, in the end,
despite our most valiant attempts, cannot save
ourselves from ourselves and the evil that lurks
inextricably in our hearts. When this littleness strikes
us, we know without a doubt that our feet truly tread
Thérèse’s little way, since on this way our only strength
is bare hope and naked confidence in God’s promise of
mercy, fullness, and salvation.

Though painful at times, this way is not lonely.
Herself little, poor, unrecognized, and powerless, Mary
is the mother and guide of those who walk this path,
and “near her” we can truly “like to remain little.” Why?
Because this Mother of ours “made visible the narrow
road to Heaven,” as Thérèse says later in the poem.
She, assumed into Heaven and now living the fullness
of all we hope for in Christ, was the first to walk in this
humble, poor, little way to God. . . and near us, Mary
likes to remain little to lead us there.

Quotations: The Poetry of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Translated by Donald Kinney. Washington, D.C.: ICS, 1996.

Carmelite Institute of North America: Summer 2024 Symposium

In late summer, four of our Sisters attended the
CINA Symposium in Washington, D.C., joining
other Nuns, Friars, and Secular Order Members of
both branches of the Carmelite Order. The days of
learning, exploring, community, and dialogue
bestowed rich blessings on all the attendants,
especially since our Father General Miguel
Marquez Calle, OCD, was present!

Carmelite Symposium

In late summer, four of our Sisters attended the CINA (Carmelite Institute of North America) Symposium in Washington D.C., joining other Nuns, Friars, and Secular Order Members of both branches of the Carmelite Order. The days of learning, exploring, community, and dialogue bestowed rich blessings on all the attendants,

Covington CarmelEdith Turpin

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The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Covington, LA.

Covington CarmelEdith Turpin