The Carmelite Sisters at the Carmel of Saint Joseph in Parkland County celebrated the centenary of the canonization of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The May 17 Mass was attended by more than 130 who overflowed the small chapel, the attached hallway, and poured out into the outer court. Mass was celebrated by Father Jerome Moras, O.C.D., the Superior of the Mount Carmel Spirituality Centre, with six priests concelebrating.
Father Jerome’s homily, described as “informational and inspirational,” traced the short life of Saint Thérèse, described her challenges, her many blessings, and her impact on the Church. She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997.
Father Jerome said: “What makes Saint Thérèse so relevant today is not that she performed great miracles in her life – but that she loved greatly, especially in suffering.”
He said that her spiritual strength came from her life of prayer, adding: “She did not seek ecstatic visions or mystical experiences – though she had them – but daily union with God through adoration, silence, and presence.” He quoted St. Thérèse, who said: “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple glance toward heaven.” He described her prayer as real, raw, and relational.
The Mass was followed by an outdoor reception. The Father General of the Carmelite Order has been encouraging the various branches of the order to unite as one family. This was the first time the Carmelite Fathers, Nuns, and Seculars in Alberta have celebrated a feast together alongside the community. The centenary was complete with lots of food, an ice cream bar, and celebration in a spirit of joy and Christian fellowship.
After the meal a group of young people performed a skit. It was a scene taken from St. Thérèse’s autobiography, The Story of a Soul. Therese, who wanted to enter Carmel at a young age had been denied permission. Her father decided to join a parish group going on pilgrimage to Rome, he was hoping that the Holy Father would intercede. During their pilgrimage to Rome, the group was given permission to process past the pope, but forbidden to speak as they did so.
Young Thérèse turned to her sister for advice, “Speak!” Celine said. A moment later Thérèse was in the Holy Father’s presence, and she cried out: “Most Holy Father, I have a great favour to ask you,” Pope Leo XIII leaned towards Thérèse, and she said, “Holy Father, in honor of your Jubilee Year, permit me to enter Carmel at age of 15” A short while later Therese was granted the permission she hoped for, she entered Carmel on April 9, 1888.
On May 17th, 2025 we celebrate the centenary of Saint Therese of Lisieux’s canonization at the same time the Catholic Church celebrates her great Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. Countless souls have been touched by Saint Therese and her Little Way. The chapel was beautifully adorned with roses for the celebration. When she was dying, Therese said, “After my death I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good upon earth… my mission is to make God loved.”
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