St. Therese of Lisieux-Friend and Inspirer-Summertime Reading

For the final book that my parish Summer Book Club will read and discuss in September is the classic autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux-"The Story of a Soul." I will read it over the summer to lead the discussion. It will be my fourth reading of this spiritual classic. I even took a course about St. Therese from the Carmelite Institute many years ago. When you study the writings of St. Therese, or pray for her intercession, she befriends you in a mystical, mysterious way and I am certainly not the only person who has said that, many others confirm that as well.
St. Therese has been called "the greatest saint of modern times." She was canonized on May 17th, 1925 by Pope Pius XI and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II (now a saint himself) in 1997.
Therese wanted to be a saint, she was very focused on her love for Jesus and her little way of spiritual childhood. She knew that to be a saint she would need God's help. She couldn't do it on her own and so she asked God to lift her to heights, she couldn't possible reach on her own and be her  "divine elevator." One of the most remarkable things about Therese is that she attained every one of her goals though some were attained after her death.
I have two of her relics, small pieces of her brown Carmelite habit, which I have for many years and which were attained from Rome.
Therese has a great devotion to the Blessed Mother and her religious profession was on the day that the Church celebrates Mary's birth- September 8th. Therese took the day of her profession very seriously, she sent out wedding invitations! September 8th is an important day in my life too, as I was born on that day. So I feel connected to Therese and the Blessed Mother, in a special way, because of my birthday. It's a great grace to be born on a Marian feast day. I'm not boasting, it is what it is.
So I expect many graces to come from reading, "Story of a Soul," again. I'm not sure what they are but I'm positive that St. Therese will work from Heaven as she always does, to bring some added grace or graces into my life.
NJA

Suicide Rates Are Lower For People Who Practice Their Faith-Another Benefit of Belief in God and Prayer

I recently read something which I firmly believed in my heart to be true since I've read other studies about the positive effects that faith, worship and belief have for human beings. People of faith go through crisis better, handle misfortune better, and are usually healthier and live longer than people who don't. Why this is true is up for debate but the data supports what numerous studies have found and I've written about many times. And I've experienced firsthand the inner strength, courage and hope that belief in God gives, especially in times of loss.
And so I thought faith, religious practice and worship would also affect suicide rates and as it turns out, I read an article to support my belief. Such vindication!
This is what I read in an online article, "Against a grim backdrop of rising suicide rates among American women, new research has revealed a blinding shaft of light: One group of women-practicing Catholics appears to have bucked the national trend toward despair and self-harm. Compared with women who never participated in religious services, women who attended any religious service once a week or more were five times less likely to commit suicide between 1996 and 2010, says a study published by JAMA Psychiatry.
Faith and belief in God and of course, prayer, gives you courage, inner strength and the ability to realize that no matter how bad the disappointment , hurt, sorrow and/or rejection is today, tomorrow will be better. At least a little better. There is always hope because we trust the words of Sacred Scripture and the words of Christ. "God is my protector, my rock, my shield in whom I trust.""
For a few weeks in June and then again for a week in September I lead a Summer Book Club in my parish. Our first book this year was recommended by a Jesuit priest, the book is a highly recommended book titled, "In His Spirit-A Guide To Today's Spirituality." We are enjoying reading it and discussing it. Seems like the Church doesn't talk about the Holy Spirit enough...not sure why.  The Spirit is enlightener, sanctifier, one who guides and empowers and prompts us towards God and the will of God for our life.
"The goal of Christian spirituality is to recognize and respond to the continual interior movements of the Spirit, for the Spirit will always lead us toward greater union with Christ and greater love and service of God and others." ("In His Spirit.....")
Veni, Sanctus, Spiritus!
NJA

The Lord is waiting to show you favor and he rises to pity you. For the Lord is a God of justice, blessed are all who wait for him.  (Isaiah 30:18)

Copycat Suicides-Bourdain and Kate Spade-Hopelessness Ends Lives

It's hard to get one's head around the news this morning that Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef, author and host of Parts Unknown on CNN would take his own life. I watched his show often, he was gifted in many ways. I loved how he related so well to people of all religions and cultures throughout the world and how through food and cooking he could create good will. I always marveled at how he overcame drug addiction as he explained on one show, he was a heroin addict when he was young. So I thought to myself from heroin to becoming a celebrity chef and TV personality. Pretty good! But it was not all good because in the end, his demons got the best of him. You have to say, "Why?" What makes a successful person who came from so little and became rich and famous and related so well to all kinds of people die in such a horrific, hopeless way.
And then there was the other baffling news story of another successful, rich person, Kate Spade, whose name is everywhere taking her own life in a horrific way. Death by strangulation. That's pretty bad. It's pitiful. What's worse is who is left behind. Both Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had teenage daughters. How will they ever be the same? I feel so bad for Bourdain's daughter Ariane, aged 11 and Kate Spade's daughter Frances age 13. Such a difficult time in life as it is for young girls growing up in this uncertain world and they have to deal with such grief and pain.
It just doesn't make sense to me. This is the reason I hold my deep faith very close to me and know of it's importance. Because even if one day seems hopeless or I am disappointed I know tomorrow I will wake up feeling better because Jesus walks with me in good times and bad. You can't minimize mental illness, I understand that, but I know how much hope my faith gives me. And because of that, it's priceless to me.
Rest in Peace Kate and Anthony
NJA