Pope Francis continued his catechesis on apostolic zeal with a focus on the life of Saint Therese of Lisieux. The Pope prayed before her relics that were present in St. Peter's Square. Although Saint Therese never went to other continents, she is the universal patroness of the missions.
SUMMARY OF POPE FRANCIS' CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear brothers and sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on apostolic zeal, we now turn to Saint Therese of Lisieux, the universal patroness of the missions; happily, today her relics are here in our midst. At an early age, Therese discerned a vocation to enter the Carmel and to devote her life to prayer for the Church’s work of evangelization.
She adopted several foreign missionaries as a “spiritual sister”, writing them letters of encouragement and supporting them by her prayers and daily sacrifices. Saint Therese longed for all people to open their hearts to the saving love of Jesus. She interceded fervently for the conversion of sinners, even those most hardened.
In her final illness, she promised to continue that intercession even after her death. Saint Therese reminds us that charity and intercessory prayer, even more than projects and programs, are essential to the spread of the Gospel. Let us ask her to intercede for an outpouring of missionary zeal upon the Church in our day, so that the name of Jesus may everywhere be known and loved.
