https://marfam.org.za/2021/10/01/october-family-on-mission-monthly-theme- October 1. St Therese, the little Flower. An exemplary model of Creation Spirituality.   Because of her poor health Therese grew up as a pampered girl in a very religious family.  When she felt the calling to become a nun her family thought she was not strong enough.  However her love of God was very strong and she persisted and even entered the Carmelite convent as a very young girl of 15. Her ill-health continued and prevented her from becoming a missionary out in the mission field as she had wanted but she kept her love for the missions. She spent the last 9 years of her life aiming at perfection through what she called “the little things” and prayer and meditation.  She saw her little sacrifices of ordinary events in daily life as flowers and this simple spirituality earned her the name “Little Flower.”  Four of her sisters also entered the convent and her  parents Louis and Zelie Martin were recently canonised, in recognition of their being a truly holy couple.  Therese wrote in her journal, “Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love?  Great deeds are forbidden me.  The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love.  I do like a child who does not know how to read; I say very simply to God what I want to say and He always understands me.” From Therese of Lisieux on www.catholic.org/saints.   Pope Francis: The Lord was able to invite others to be attentive to the beauty that there is in the world because he himself was in constant touch with nature, lending it an attention full of fondness and wonder.  LS 97

ECO-TIP AND PRAYER:  Aware of the beauty and abundance of creation hold a mini-clearing up campaign. With St Therese pray, sing, praise and thank God for his love.