October 30

 

Bl. Maria Teresa of St. Joseph, Virgin and Foundress

 

 

Office of Readings

Second Reading

 

From the Autobiography of Bl. Maria Teresa

 

  During the night of January 21, 1890 I seemed to see a very touching

picture in my sleep.  It was a living, life-size crucifix.  From the hands

to the feet, the body was framed with a wreath of thorns.  A wreath of

thorns in the shape of a heart was impressed into the left side of the

heart.  There was no crown of thorns on the head.  The arms were not

lowered; they were stretched out, as a sign of life.  This vision was a

shocking and pitiful sight, as well as horrible and jolting.  There are no

words to describe it.  While my eyes rested on it, my heart trembled with

pain.

   I understood this picture to mean that the Divine Savior is the head in

heaven, without pain or thorns.  The Body is His holy Church, not only

affixed to the cross by earthly powers but also wounded by lukewarm, lapsed

Catholics, indicated by the thorns framing the body.  The thorns impressed

upon the heart are those consecrated to God, who have become the tepid and

disloyal priests and members of religious Orders.

   That morning I arose quite early and hurried to the church.  My heart was

profoundly moved by pain and compassion; no, it was wounded.  It was clear

that God was asking of me prayer and atonement!  I was to pray for the

conversion of sinners, and to move the mercy of God for the freedom of Holy

Church.

   From that morning on my heart was filled with a new hunger and thirst,

not only for God's pleasure or for perfection, but with a burning hunger and

thirst to win souls for the Divine Heart.  That crucifix is stamped on my

memory, and it not only keeps my zeal for the salvation of souls alive, it

increases its fire and creates in me the desire to arrive soon at the throne

of God, where my longing for souls may be satisfied.

 

Responsory

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,

-- and I complete that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ in my

own flesh for the sake of His body, that is the Church.

I appraised the cross always as the greatest sign

  of divine love,

-- and I complete that which is lacking in the sufferings of Christ in my

own flesh for the sake of His body, that is the Church.

 

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God,

who filled Blessed Maria Teresa with marvelous zeal, so that she might serve

your people persevering in prayer and work, Grant to us by her intercession

that working with the same love even in the midst of hardships We may be

able to construct Your Church earnestly.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.