Four Keys to Thérèse’s Holy Spiritual Life – Feb 04 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Feb 04, 2026, exploring St. Thérèse of Lisieux's profound yet simple understanding of prayer as an intimate, loving relationship with God, highlighting its simplicity, constancy, contemplativeness, and foundation in love.

Father continues his series on holy spirituality by focusing on prayer through the life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus. He recalls the Bayeux diocesan catechism's definition that Thérèse knew by heart: prayer as an elevation of the soul to God to render religious due and seek needs, linked to the virtue of religion. Yet Thérèse offered a more personal view, quoted in CCC 2558: “For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart... a simple glance directed to heaven... a cry of gratitude and of love... which expands my soul and unites me with Jesus.” This surpasses duty, echoing the Holy Spirit's gift of piety that infuses love into religious acts, making prayer an intimate bond with our greatest Lover. Father notes St. Augustine's view of prayer as desire's expression, powerfully realized in Thérèse. He highlights four characteristics: simplicity, where Thérèse spoke plainly to God like a child, avoiding elaborate books, knowing He understands pains and joys; constancy, as she thought of God constantly, rarely three minutes without Him, praying in all circumstances because love naturally dwells on the beloved; contemplativeness, evolving from her childhood confusion over silent prayer to her deathbed words, “I don't say anything. I love Him,” embracing silence as profound love's language, even while meditating on the Our Father; and rooted in love, not fear or obligation, with her cell inscribed “Jesus is my only love” and prayer as her invincible weapon alongside sacrifice. Father urges us to emulate this, asking Our Lady's help for simpler, constant, contemplative, love-filled prayer, leading to union with God who is charity itself.

CCC 2558 - Thérèse's definition of prayer - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1.htm#2558
CCC 2090-2092 - Virtue of religion explained - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c1a1.htm#2090
CCC 1830-1831 - Gift of piety detailed - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1829
Story of a Soul - Thérèse's autobiography insights - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-therese-of-lisieux/
Our Father - Meditative prayer example - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6
St. Thérèse Letters - Simple love declarations - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231015-santateresa-delbambinogesu.html

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Joseph of Leonessa - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=4084
Readings: Wednesday 4th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020426.cfm
1st: 2sa 24:2, 9-17
Resp: psa 32:1-2, 5-7
Gsp: mar 6:1-6

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=606&r=1585

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iZip3Gqv9AQ