Celebrating the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux

The Church of St Theresa Nilai (CSTN) marked the feast day of St Thérèse of Lisieux with a fourday celebration, beginning on her feast day, October 1.

Oct 18, 2024


By Aileen Anthony
The Church of St Theresa Nilai (CSTN) marked the feast day of St Thérèse of Lisieux with a fourday celebration, beginning on her feast day, October 1. The event drew hundreds of parishioners and pilgrims, who gathered to honour the young Carmelite nun, who passed away 127 years ago in Lisieux, France, at the age of 24.

The celebrations began with the launch of Mission Month and the Holy Childhood Box by the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) and the Archdiocesan Mission of New Evangelisation for Christ (AMNEC), following a Mass presided over by Fr Xavier Andrew. CSTN is the first of five parishes scheduled for pilgrimages in October, a fitting tribute to St Thérèse, the patron saint of missions, and one of four women saints designated as a Doctor of the Church.

On Oct 4, the second day of the triduum, Fr Gnana Selvam Berentis celebrated the Mass, focusing on St Thérèse’s ‘little way,’ highlighting how even the smallest gestures, like a simple smile, can have a significant impact.

The theme of family life took centre stage on Oct 5 during a Mass presided over by Fr Michel Dass. He addressed the challenges faced by families, drawing parallels with the life of St Thérèse and her parents, Sts Louis and Zélie Martin, who endured the loss of four of their nine children but raised five daughters all of whom became Religious.

After Mass, a solemn procession took place across the church grounds. Six sets of bearers carried the statue of St Thérèse through six stations, preceding the Blessed Sacrament. Parish priest Fr Christopher Soosaipillai remarked on the significance of the procession, saying, “It’s time our beautiful saint takes a walk with us,” as we reflect on the hardships brought on by the pandemic and previous years when inclement weather prevented processions.

The triduum concluded on Oct 6 with a Mass celebrated by Fr George Ho OCD, who further entrenched the message that family life is a vocation capable of sending ripples outward, affecting community and society. At the heart of the celebrations was the cornerstone of faith — Christ as the core of both personal and communal life, guiding us through surrender, prayer, and example.

Each day of the celebrations concluded with fellowship, where parishioners and visitors shared meals, sponsored and prepared by the community, accompanied by music and joyous gatherings. As the triduum came to a close, devotees were invited to take home flowers from the church décor, reminding them of St Thérèse’s words: “I understood that every flower created by Him is beautiful… we all have a role to play in building the kingdom of God.”

The feast day celebrations left a lasting impression on all who attended, as they reflected on the teachings and legacy of the Little Flower.

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