Does it seem strange that St. Therese, who was a cloistered nun and never really went anywhere, became a patron saint for missionaries? I suppose that is because we are only familiar with one aspect of missionary work, albeit a very important part, the travel to impoverished people to minister to their needs and work for their conversion. However, several definitions I’ve found broaden that view a bit.
According to the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in a post about St. Therese, “What makes a missionary are not the legs but the heart! ” (found here, para 4) Also, Vatican II describes missionary work in this way, “The special end of missionary activity is the evangelization and the implantation of the Church among peoples or groups in which it has not yet taken root.” (found here, para 1) SSPX goes on to say that the methods chosen for missionary work could manifest as, “prayer, writing, preaching, penance; the goal and the motive are the same: save souls by love.” (same page, para 4)
Certainly St. Therese fits in that view of missionary work. She described the initial realization of her desire for mission work like this, “I experienced a great desire to work for the conversion of sinners, a desire I hadn’t experienced so intensely before.” (found here, para 2) In particular, she was devoted to praying for priests and other missionaries to support their work. That is part of the devotion of a contemplative nun, she is committed to a life of sacrifice, penance, and prayer for the sake of others.
In her case, her focus was on winning souls for heaven. She also claimed that she wanted to continue her work of saving souls even after her death. SSPX recounts the story of a mission that was failing in the arctic region of Hudson Bay among the Iniut natives. The missionaries were about to close the mission and leave the region when they unexpectedly received two envelopes in the mail. One contained a short biography of Sister Therese of the Child Jesus, who had just died sixteen years earlier. The other contained some dust from her grave, where her body had recently been exhumed.
The two missionaries decided to try once more. While Fr. Arsene preached on the law of the Church, Brother Prime sprinkled the dust on the heads of the those listening. Reportedly, the witch doctor of the Inuit tribe came forward and asked to be baptized, and many others followed. Soon they build a church and a hospital, both named for Sister Therese, the “Little Carmelite.” This was likely part of the reason that Pope Pius XI insisted on naming her Patroness of the Missions. (read more here, para 8-16)
Throughout this year (2018) I have been reading a though of the day from St. Teresa of Calcutta, or more precisely from Mother Teresa, since these are the words she shared during her life. Her central theme was entirely about thirsting for the conversion of souls. Reading about St. Therese and her desires for mission reminds me so much of my daily meditations from Mother Teresa.
The difference is that Mother Teresa was in the trenches and was recognized during her life for the mission work she was doing. St. Therese with her illness and her position in a cloister, dreamed of the life of Mother Teresa but never got to live it directly. However, I think it illustrates an entry point for all of us.
I don’t know about you, but I am a little (okay a lot) intimidated by the amazing work of Mother Teresa. In St Therese I find solace that there is value in the small parts that we all play. Even while I am working to figure out what God has planned for me, I can devote time in my daily prayer routine to ask for missionary support. Who knows? Maybe starting those conversations with God will open our hearts to hear his commands.
Lord God, we want to pray for all those who are out in the world doing the hard work of evangelization. Protect them and give them strength to share Your love with people who might not be quite ready to receive it. Soften the hearts of those who hear the good news from Your missionaries. Allow their eyes to be opened to Your amazing grace and mercy. And please guide us to do our part to quench Your thirst for souls.