Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 10

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Saint Therese faced the darkness and sorrow of her father's impending death. Our own Catholic Parish, as a family united in our Eucharistic Savior, is facing the deteriorating illness of a dear Sister. Throughout this ordeal, her face shines with a Divine and brilliant surrender to God's perfect and holy will. Even in her sufferings, she is showing us the joy and beauty of trusting in God, with absolute surrender. This holy woman continues to inspire within us daily an ever growing love for Jesus.

     I know that my own decision to study Mrs. Rossini's beautiful work at this specific time in my life was no coincidence. Praises be to the Holy Spirit!

     It is no coincidence that part of Mrs. Rossini's account of Therese's spiritual journey has to do with the writing of notes as a means of communicating. Our own beloved Sister must communicate at this time, by the writing of notes.

     Does Jesus call us to silence so that we, by virtue of a holy detachment from all that is worldly, can be free to be drawn ever closer to Him? Yes, He does! 

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which delves into the miraculous presence of God during times of darkness and suffering. He uses these times to fix us more securely within is heart. Especially valuable was your personal account, which cautions us against seeking emotional gratification from our relationship with Jesus. When we depend upon "feelings" as a sign of our faith, we are vulnerable to deceptions which can actually draw us away from the True Presence of Christ in our lives as Catholics.

     As does our dear Sister throughout her illness, Saint Therese had a peace in the center of her soul throughout her time of darkness.

     Blessed be God forever!

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 9

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Saint Therese's trust in God was heavily tested during her father's illness and death. How do we, as Catholics, bear up under the crushing loss of a loved one? How do we deal with our greatest fears? How do we remain free of despair at the death of a loved one? Facing our fears does not mean that we will, at the moment of loss, be immune to pain. Dispelling this unrealistic expectation of ourselves, we accept the pain of sorrow trusting that God will be present to us at every moment.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter, which helps us to be willing to accept Gods plan, as did Therese, even when life's events invite us to despair. We need not accept this invitation. We need only to be fully willing to live in the present, knowing that Jesus always protects our souls within His tender embrace.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 8

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Failure to be "perfect" is often a point of discouragement in our Christian walk. Our sins may lead us to believe that we are no longer loved by God.  How easily we forget about His mercy and love for us. The humility of Saint Therese is a joyous reminder of how deeply God loves His children.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which encourages us to persevere, trusting in His love, even when we fail. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift from our Heavenly Father which never fails to heal the deepest lacerations of our hearts. We needn't punish ourselves with despair. Only God is perfect. Jesus' love for us is unconditional. His mercy and forgiveness are available to us at all times, no matter how we fall. All we need to do is trust Him, especially when we are at our worst. May we always be filled with the courage given to us by the Holy Spirit, to lift our hearts above the depths of our sinfulness, and receive the love that Our Blessed Lord abundantly pours into our souls us at every moment of our lives.    

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 7

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Anger, a virulent and corrosive passion, can instantaneously sweep our souls seemingly out of the reach of Christ's loving embrace. It is tempting to allow the mind to ruminate upon distracting petty annoyances, rather than to meditate upon the immeasurable mercy and love of Jesus. Saint Therese was confronted with the acerbic sentiment of fellow members of her order. She fought the temptation to descend into the emotional mire presented to her so frequently. This dear and lovely Saint consciously chose to love anyone who opposed her, for the love of Jesus. It took immense spiritual discipline to achieve the peace of Christ within her heart and to share the gentle ripples of His unconditional love.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which teaches us great lessons about being missionaries in our own homes, schools or places of work. Saint Therese often said that her ceaseless work of prayer would continue even when she was in Heaven. Her holy example of the beautiful forgiveness and love Jesus tells us to have for our enemies as well as our companions, flows gloriously from Eucharistic Adoration. If we love His Holy Face, as did Saint Therese, how can anger be directed at any of His children, in whose faces can so clearly be seen His?

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 6

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Waiting is perhaps the most challenging aspect of trusting in God. A true willingness to understand and obey His will involves waiting, which requires humility, courage and patience.  Saint Therese demonstrated these three virtues as she sought permission to enter a Carmelite Community at a very young age. Her determination was motivated by her immense love of Jesus

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter and the beautiful account of Saint Therese's valiant yet meek union with the Carmelites. Whenever God is asked for His direction regarding any decision, He orchestrates a series of events to reveal His will, with astounding clarity,

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 5

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Connie Rossini's reflections on marriage, childbirth and parenting are refreshing. Her humble sense of humor eases the reader into self acceptance, and an acceptance of God's timing in our own lives. A childlike trust in God is actually a sign of spiritual maturity. This is contrasted with "childish" efforts to measure one's worthiness by the counting of "good deeds" to gain favor with our Heavenly Father. Saint Therese's experiences as she matured spiritually are not foreign those of most aspiring saints.  

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which so clearly examines true motives in prayers, devotions and acts of mercy. I have often presented God with my own plans only to find that His will, though quite different from mine, has always drawn me closer to Him. For this I am eternally grateful! 

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 4

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     In this chapter, Connie Rossini explores how our reltionships with our fathers influence our peception of God. Saint Therese and her father Louis lived through the death of his wife, her mother, supported greatly by a strong foundation of faith. That same Catholic faith was the thread that upheld the Rossini family as their father suffered injuries and a difficult recovery from an automobile accident. Gods's love always transcends human imperfection. 

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which reminded me of how fortunate I am to have had a compassionate, down to earth father, whose solid faith overarched every challenge our family ever faced. The blessing of a loving Papi, helped form within me the relationship with our Heavenly Father I have today.