St. Thérèse: Trust During Darkness

We all struggle with periods of sadness, worry, fear and doubt. Even saints including St. Thérèse of Lisieux have experienced these very same trials. With Dr. Edward Sri we explore the life of St. Thérèse and the great darkness that she experienced. From her suffering and perseverance, we can learn how to trust in God’s healing love to get through our hard times.

Snippet from the Show

God gives us the saints we need for our times.


Shownotes

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Quote

“Suddenly the fog which surrounds me becomes more dense; it penetrates my soul… [a voice] says mockingly to me: ‘You are dreaming about the light, about a fatherland embalmed in the sweetest perfumes; you are dreaming about the eternal possession of the Creator of all these marvels; you believe that one day you will walk out of this fog which surrounds you! Advance advance; rejoice in death which will give you not what you hope for but a night still more profound, the night of nothingness.’”

Lessons Learned from St. Thérèse of Lisieux:
  • Persevere in prayer
    The temptation is to stop praying, but keep praying!
  • Make acts of faith
    Love resides in our will. By making acts of the will and praying, even a short prayer, we are making acts of faith. 
  • Know that God is close to you
    He may be closer to you now than ever before; trust that He is there. 
  • Love your neighbor
    Continue to love the people around you. You’re loving God in your neighbor, so maintain your responsibilities and duties to others.
  • Turn to the Psalms
    Cry out to the Lord and be honest with Him.
Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Quote

“I have made more acts of faith in this past year than all through my whole life.”

St. Thérèse of Lisieux Quote

“I sing what I want to believe”

Psalm 13:2-3

How long, LORD? Will you utterly forget me? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Psalm 142:2-3

With my own voice I cry to the LORD; with my own voice I beseech the LORD. Before him I pour out my complaint, tell of my distress in front of him.

Upcoming Events List
  • Oct 3: Diocese of Harrisburg Annual Priest Workshop – Hunt Valley MD
  • Oct 5: McHenry County Catholic Prayer Breakfast – Chicago IL
  • Nov 16: Women of Christ 16th Annual Conference – Brookfield, WI
  • Feb 8: St. Rose Philippine Duchesne – Anthem AZ
  • Feb 19: FORGE – Des Moines IA
  • Feb 22: Marriage Enrichment – Celina OH
  • Mar 26-27: Holy Family Parish Mission – Wayzata MN
  • April 4-5: Parish of the Resurrection – Nashua NH
  • Apr 9-10: St. Ann’s Parish Mission – Sherman TX

Resources

  • Visit Dr. Sri’s website at www.edwardsri.com and to book online events with Dr. Sri email events.edwardsri@gmail.com
  • Find more of Dr. Sri’s episodes at www.ascensionpress.com/allthingscatholic 
  • Ascension is pleased to offer our new and improved online bible study programs and sacramental preparation programs digitally to help you minister with flexibility. Go to www.ascensionpress.com to view all our offerings

Dr. Edward Sri is a theologian, well-known Catholic speaker, and author of several best-selling books. His work with Ascension includes study programs such as A Biblical Walk Through the Mass, No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk Through Christ’s Passion and Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother. Several of Dr. Sri’s programs were filmed on-site in the Holy Land, and feature immersive video explorations of the sacred sites where Jesus, Mary, and the Apostles lived and died.

Dr. Sri is the host of the acclaimed Ascension podcast All Things Catholic with Dr. Edward Sri.  Together with Curtis Martin, Dr. Sri is a founding leader of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), of which he serves as senior vice president of Apostolic Outreach.

Dr. Sri lives with his wife Beth and their children in Colorado.

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