# The little flower and the power of intercession
*2020-09-30*

> Bill Young reflects on the life and intercession of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, sharing a personal miracle and praying for the protection of faithful Catholics in public office.

## The Little Flower

Today is October 1st, the feast day of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, one of my favorite saints. She is often known as the 'Little Flower' because she asked the Lord that she could spend her time in heaven helping people on earth, often signaling her presence through the scent or sight of roses. I highly recommend her book, Story of a Soul; it is a short read that anyone can finish in a day.

## A Miracle of Roses

A few years ago, during a Right to Life march against the sin of abortion, our parish provided a single rose to every participant. As we prayed the rosary and asked for Saint Thérèse's help, I was speaking with a parishioner about the saint's shrine and the roses often found there. Suddenly, a teenager driving by threw an egg at one of our parishioners—the head of our youth group. The egg didn't hit her, but it hit the rose she was holding. 

In an amazing moment, every single petal and leaf flew off that rose and spread across the pavement. When I looked at the stem, it was completely bare, yet not broken. I tried shaking my own brand-new rose to see if I could replicate it, but nothing came off. To me, that was a miracle showing that Saint Thérèse is truly here with us.

## Interceding for the Faithful

I believe in the process of intercession. While we always go to Jesus and Mary, I often go to the Little Flower first for my needs. Today, I offer a novena to Saint Thérèse, specifically asking for the grace and strength of the Little Flower to be with Judge Amy Coney Barrett. As she is nominated to the Supreme Court, she will face enemies who wish to destroy her. We must pray for her strength, as true Catholics must speak out and live their faith openly.

## Faith and the Public Square

There are two types of Catholics: those who practice their faith daily and those who are Catholic in name only. We must be the kind of Catholics who go to church and stand for the truth. This is especially important regarding the sanctity of life. I recall a story about Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was once asked why God allows cancer. She suggested that perhaps the scientist who would have discovered the cure for cancer was aborted and never born. This is a tragedy we must consider when we look at the promotion of abortion in our political leadership.

*We should strive to be practicing Catholics who live our faith boldly and rely on the powerful intercession of the saints.*