Embracing the Little Way of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

On October 1, 2024, the Carmelite Monastery in Lanang, Davao City, was filled with devotion as the faithful gathered to celebrate the Feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. Known for her “Little Way” and spiritual childhood, St. Therese has inspired countless individuals through her deep understanding of God’s love and mercy.

The Heart of St. Therese’s Spirituality

The Mass was presided over by Fr. Ramil Oraiz, OCD, and concelebrated by Fr. Jovencio Ma, CSsR. In his homily, Fr. Ramil emphasized the centrality of love in the life of St. Therese. He articulated that at the core of her spirituality lies the belief that “God is love.” This understanding is fundamental to Teresian spirituality, which invites us to experience God’s merciful love as the source of our transformation.

St. Therese’s journey began with significant challenges. Orphaned at a young age after her mother’s death, she grappled with insecurity and self-doubt, often seeking the approval of others. In a world where appearances and societal judgments weighed heavily, she exemplified the struggles many face today—feeling inadequate and longing for acceptance.

The Transformative Power of Love

Realizing that her efforts alone could not heal her insecurities, St. Therese turned to God, recognizing that only love could bring about true conversion. She prayed fervently for the grace of healing and, at the tender age of 13, experienced an encounter with Jesus on Christmas Eve. This transformative moment deepened her understanding of divine love, allowing her to shed her insecurities and embrace her identity as a beloved child of God.

Fr. Ramil reflected on his own spiritual journey, sharing how he came to understand that God’s love is not contingent upon our actions or merits. “God loves us not because of what we do, but because He is good,” he said. This realization echoes St. Therese’s own understanding: we are precious in God’s eyes, not for our performance but for our inherent worth as creations of God.

Responding to Divine Love

St. Therese’s “Little Way” teaches us that true merit lies in love rather than in the quantity of our deeds. As Fr. Ramil noted, God desires our love above all else. Our actions should flow from an authentic response to God’s goodness, not from fear or the need to earn favor. This radical shift in perspective enabled St. Therese to approach prayer, Mass, and acts of kindness not as obligations but as joyful responses to the love she received from God.

In her writings, St. Therese emphasizes that love is what makes us acceptable to God. She believed that God values the measure of love we invest in our actions rather than their magnitude or difficulty. Her life exemplifies how love, rather than fear or obligation, should motivate our spiritual journey.

A Call to Open Our Hearts

As we reflect on the life of St. Therese, we are invited to embrace the merciful love of Jesus. To truly love ourselves and others, we must first receive and believe in God’s untiring love for us. “Ang Ginoo nahimoot gyud kanunay,” Fr. Ramil reminded us, expressing that God delights in us consistently.

Let us learn from St. Therese, who teaches us that the path to holiness lies in simplicity and trust. By allowing ourselves to be loved by God, we can cultivate a spirit of love in our hearts, transforming our relationships with ourselves and those around us. (Sara Mae Sotomil)