This Morning Air episode was all about St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” and how her simple, yet profound way of holiness can inspire us today. Glen Lewerenz spoke with Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, who just got back from a pilgrimage to Lisieux, France, where St. Therese lived. Father shares how St. Therese has been a personal inspiration for him since his early faith journey.
Here’s what you’ll love about their convo:
🌸 St. Therese was all about simplicity: Fr. Michael-Joseph explains how Therese had this deep confidence that God could make her a saint, not through grand gestures, but by loving in the ordinary and trusting Him in her weaknesses. Even though she had a tough time controlling her emotions (yes, she cried a lot 😢), she turned that into a path for holiness. She discovered that it’s okay to be small, weak, and imperfect. That’s where God’s grace steps in.
Her family life was key: Did you know St. Therese’s parents, Louis and Zelie Martin, are saints too? That family was on fire for God! They faced struggles, like losing four children, work stress, and more. Yet, their faith carried them through. It’s a reminder for all of us that sainthood can grow right from the messy, everyday moments in family life. So, parents, you’re doing holy work even when it feels chaotic! 💪
🌟 Turning failure into holiness: Fr. Michael-Joseph shared how St. Therese’s emotional struggles led her to deeper reliance on God. She had to learn that her greatest “failure” (being super sensitive) was actually what opened her up to God’s love. How relatable is that? We’ve all got stuff we don’t like about ourselves, but maybe, just maybe, God is using that very thing to bring us closer to Him.
She was YOUNG: St. Therese died at 24, yet she’s a Doctor of the Church. Talk about doing big things in a short life! It’s encouraging for you if you’re young, to know you don’t have to wait to be perfect or mature to do something great for God. Even in her short time on earth, Therese’s “Little Way” changed the Church forever. #LifeGoals
💡 Holiness is here and now: Father reminds us that holiness isn’t some far-off goal. It’s in the present moment. It’s in how we respond to everyday inconveniences (yes, even bad Wi-Fi or losing your cell signal 😂). We don’t need to wait for a “holy” time in life to serve God. We can start right now, in the ordinary.
Fr. Michael-Joseph’s love for St. Therese is infectious, and his reflections are a beautiful reminder that holiness is not about perfection—it’s about love, trust, and surrender in the little things of life.
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