The little way

For years, the Holy Father (whoever he happens to be) has spent a part of the summer vacation period at the Papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. While other Romans retreat to the seaside during the period known locally as ferragosto, the Pope and his entourage retreat to this lakeside villa where he rests and continues a somewhat restricted schedule of meetings and research until the beginning of October.

Today, when the Church celebrates the Memorial of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Holy Father thanked the people who make his summer stay possible.

"(St. Therese's) witness", he said, "shows that only the Word of God, accepted and understood in its concrete requirements, can become the source for renewed live. To our society, often permeated by a rationalist culture and widespread materialism, St. Theresa of Lisieux shows, as a response to the great questions of life, the 'little way' which looks to the essence of things. It is the humble path of love, capable of enveloping and giving meaning and value to all human affairs".

More than a century ago, this Carmelite nun, who accepted the task of living a cloistered life, also chose to give her life as a spiritual pilgrim. Her little way of humility continues to inspire hearts young and old to come to the heart of God, where we all find the forgiveness which is offered and the joy that allows the spirit to be at peace even in the midst of torment, fatigue and physical suffering. Following Therese's example, each of us can find our little way, speaking words of reconciliation to our world today, and living as witnesses to the divine love shown to us in its fullness by Christ himself.