17 May 1925, Canonization of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux…
This is the second time I have seen this quote from Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and it hit me. The “second” name of my blog is “Painting a Picture of Christ”. I find it funny that such a saint as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, if you have read her book, could pull me so close to our Lord. In more ways than I could ever describe that anyone could comprehend.. Last Friday, I received the call from Mama Mary, that I would be received into the Third Order of Carmel, July 12th, 2014, on the feast day of St. Veronica.

There is no greater Sister a sinner in this world could have in this beautiful Saint of our Lord’s, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Thank you my sister, for all the wonders you have shared with me, for all the intercession and for all of your prayers for me.

The other day, my children were asked to bring a flower to the School Mass, for May Crowning for Mama Mary. After dinner Monday night, I gathered my girls together and went outside to head out to purchase a few flowers, so they wouldn’t go empty-handed. As I got to the bottom step of my front porch, I noticed my rose-bush had two beautiful rose buds, just ready to open.

Please keep in mind, most of my garden, since my illness, including some fruit trees, have died and most everything is in need of being ripped out, with the exception of this rose-bush, that I had not watered in some time, it was beautiful. This particular rose-bush is called “Chocolate Rose” or “Hot Cocoa Rose”. Which I now call the “Carmelite Rose”. Its natural color is a deep beautiful reddish deep brown. I don’t have a camera, so I got online to look for pictures of this rose and I found this one:

As I started looking for a good photo to post of them, Our Lady of Mount Carmel came to mind with the Carmelites because of the color of the Rose. It screamed Carmelites Habit. Keep in mind, this is not my rose-bush, but a Chocolate Rose Bush. There was ZERO doubt this was from. They, the flowers from the living rose-bush were presented to Mama, as I know they were intended for her.

This particular rose (photo) was seen last year in Kent England. It is IMPORTED from (drum roll) France: (From the photo Credit) “By the way, I saw a brown rose last year in Kent. It was wonderfully exotic. The color was that of milk chocolate. But, that is not my rose. The flower seller told me it was from another country and I found out it was France and she was importing flowers. The French developed this rose. Some of her flowers were sent from far away. Flower sellers have interesting information on types and countries of roses, btw.

St Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us. Thank you for your intercession. Lord Jesus Christ, I love You!

What did she mean by her “Shower of Roses”

Experience has shown that St. Therese’s “shower of roses” is both figurative and actual. As she was dying in the convent infirmary, Therese could look out and see the rose bushes blossoming. She loved roses. She had thrown rose petals as a Child before the Blessed Sacrament. As she reflected on her quiet, hidden, and gentle life ending, she believed in faith that God had great things in store for her. She believed that her mission was only beginning as she entered the fullness of life with God. She explained: “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth. I will raise up a mighty host of little saints. My mission is to make God loved…”

Shortly after her death, the rain of roses began. Sometimes roses literally appeared, and sometimes just the fragrance of them. Cures of painful and fatal diseases and many other miraculous experiences were attributed to her intercession. Sometimes people found inner peace and regained an inner warmth of spirit and confidence, by appealing to St. Therese. Many miracles and actions of St. Therese do not involve roses. More often than not, marvelous things happen in people’s lives as they ask for her heavenly intercession. The miracles, healings and inner peace come from the trust one places in God, not from any manifestation of roses. St. Therese lived in the dark night of the senses and spirit, with little consolation. Thus, the friends and followers of St. Therese expect no consolation of sighted roses that their prayers are being answered. Her “little way” is about child-like trust and gentle love. She is the great apostle of faith in God’s love, not simple reliance on physical signs. Jesus warned us, and Therese experienced that the desire for signs is a sign of weak faith. It is always important to remember that St. Therese did not experience extra-ordinary phenomena in her life. Her faith was refined and strengthened by God.

Roses are Therese’s signature. It is her way of whispering to those who need a sign that she has heard, and God is responding. Thousands of people have given witness to the way Therese responds to their petitions and prayers with grace and roses. The grace is more important than the roses. So many miracles have happened through the intercession of St. Therese without any roses appearing – usually the deep inner peace of accepting God’s will and seeing His loving plan and presence is the “rose” experienced. Sometimes the lack of a physical “rose signature” is an affirmation of a strong faith.

One does not pray for roses. Therese’s message is about simplicity and love in the ordinary events of life. Trust in Therese is important, and when she wills, roses or their fragrance may appear. The stories are remarkable how roses have shown up in the lives and experiences of people, especially in the darkest times. The ordinary and constant way these roses and graces have shown up in people’s experience is extraordinary. It is important to always maintain the rose of confidence that our All-Loving God hears and responds to our needs, according to the mysterious ways of His Love.

Glory to God!