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Courageous youth

10/31/2014

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In August 1818, two years after St Eugene de Mazenod and his companions established the missionary community in Aix, they were asked to accept the shrine of Notre-Dame de Laus. Until that time they were like a family: they were a small community living in the same house. The community was made of 7 priests, 3 seminarians and 6 young candidates beginning their training. Accepting the shrine presented a new challenge: how could they remain united in the same spirit while living in two different places? After discernment they decided to accept the invitation to look after Notre-Dame de Laus. At the same time they entrusted Eugene with preparing a book of Rule of life that would help them to live according to the same spirit. In September Eugene and two young seminarians left Aix and made their way to a country house owned by Eugene’s family where the Founder wrote the Rule of life for his missionaries. Upon his return he and two other missionaries organized the documents needed to take possession of the Shrine. After that they went back to Aix. Out of 120 kilometers they walked 90. When they got home Eugene’s companions were exhausted but the Founder was in an excellent form. It was strange as a few months ago he was seriously ill. Something very exciting and energizing was happening in his soul. He was going to present to his missionaries what he had grown to understand and to accept himself. In Aix he gathered the priests who were full members of the community to discuss and to accept the Rule. As he was reading to them what he composed during the time away in the countryside they were approving it until he read that they were to take vows. 4 missionaries out of 7 said that they would not take religious vows, that they didn’t join a Religious Order but diocesan clergy. In favor of vows were Eugene, Fr Tempier and a young priest who was ordained a couple of weeks earlier. Interestingly most of the members of the Society who had been with Eugene since the very beginning, opposed the idea of taking vows and consequently becoming a religious Institute. It was in the morning of October 24. In the afternoon Eugene invited the three seminarians to join the meeting, once again he explained the vows and asked all to vote again. The seminarian voted in favor of the vows and in this way the final result was 6:4. The Holy Spirit worked very powerfully that day as after the votes were counted, even those who were against the vows accepted that they were going to become a religious congregation. In our Oblate Congregation we say that those young seminarians who supported vows gave courage to others because voting in favor of vows they expressed their eagerness to take those vows themselves. Once they finalized all other business the whole community began their annual spiritual retreat. Interestingly during that week two missionaries who originally opposed the vows changed their mind and said that they now support them. At the end of the retreat they took their vows. It was November 1, 1818. The spiritual energy that was evident in Eugene in the weeks leading to that famous meeting on 24th of October was to fill the others as they embraced the religious vows. I believe that the discovery Eugene made during his time alone in the countryside some months earlier, was that the best way to keep his missionaries united was to unite them very closely to Jesus Christ and the religious vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and perseverance were a perfect means to achieve that.

Eugene was right, today after 200 years we know that what keeps us, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, together is not a common hobby, but our life commitment to Jesus Christ. At this time when we remember the retreat the first oblates were attending before taking the first vows in our Congregation my thoughts go to those three young boys: Suzanne, Courtes and Dupuy who were so courageous and strong in their faith. They didn’t want to take an easy way for the future, they wanted to walk the narrow, challenging and difficult road Jesus spoke of in the Gospel. They were eager to take vows because they were eager t unite themselves with Jesus. May God give us more young people like them.

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Oblate House in Aix where the meeting of October 24 took place. Holy Spirit was very busy here
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Shrine of Our Lady of Laus, the first Oblate House outside Aix
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30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily

10/25/2014

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There was a young man who joined a monastery. After a few months living there he came to his superior and said: “Father, before I joined you I admired you. You were my heroes. Now, after sharing daily life with for some months you I don’t admire you anymore.” The old monk said: “My son, that’s great. Now you can love us.”

It happened 20 or 30 years ago but it is an echo of what a saint who lived 15 hundreds years ago and whose name was Augustine said: “You cannot love what you don’t know.” This Sunday as we listen to the words of our Blessed Lord: “You must love the Lord your God. You must love your neighbor.” I would like to preach on this very basic and fundamental truth: “You cannot love what you don’t know.”

            My Sisters and Brothers! A few times, or maybe more than a few times, I have been challenged by some people saying that celibacy is not what God wants for me. I realize that I am an insignificant person, so there is no need for those people to know me, to know that I am happy as a celibate priest, as an Oblate. It is not easy, but I hope you agree with me that what is difficult doesn’t need to be wrong or bad. However I always ask those who seem to know God’s mind so well: “How many hours do you pray every day? How many times have you read and contemplated the whole Bible? How many times do you attend Mass every week? How much time do you spend with those in need every week?” I guess that something wrong must be with the questions because usually the conversation stops with the last question.

            That young fella who joined the monastery first thought that he knew the monks well. Probably coming to their church for some services or maybe even joining them for the meals, they were consuming most likely in silence, he developed the image how perfect the place was. Was it the reality? I believe it was even if the monk weren’t faultless but they were supporting each other, they were committed to each other and they must have forgiven each other if they were still living in that limited space. The reality the young man faced was that he had created in his head a different image of the place.

Our God is faultless so he can’t disappoint us on that but what can present a challenge to us is that he always wants good for us and unfortunately it is not always what we want.

So, can we come to know God? God never expects us to do what is impossible for us. That’s why what we have heard today from Jesus: “You must love the Lord your God” it implies that we can come to know our God. If we it were impossible for us to know God it would be impossible love him. But let’s be humble in our quest to come to know God in order we could love him. What does it mean? You and I are not the first people desiring to know God. There have been lots of people who did that before us: the patriarch and prophets from the Old Testament, the apostles and saints over centuries of the Church mission, and the best source of knowledge of God: his only begotten Son Jesus Christ. It would be arrogant to ignore that rich experience of who God is. Those people I have just mentioned that can give us deep knowledge but they all, no matter how different they were have one thing in common: THEY LIVED EVERY DAY LOVING GOD AND NEIGHBOUR. They didn’t only write inspiring books on God but they lived every day in his presence.

To finish let me touch very briefly the second commandment Jesus spoke of in the Gospel: “You must love your neighbor.” St Augustine’s saying aply to that as well: “You cannot love what you don’t know.” Some years ago when I was working in a parish, we had a group of altar servers there. Great kids! One Christmas the mother of an altar server asked her son what she should get me as a gift. Do you know what he said? “Get him a box of tomatoes.” You know what? He was right. I was surprised how well he knew me.


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October 22

10/22/2014

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PictureTomb of St John Paul II, Rome
For the first time the Universal Church celebrates the memorial of St. John Paul II. Usually the day of a saint is observed on the day of his or her death. In the case of John Paul II it is the day of the inauguration of his pontificate: October 22. I find it very providentially that the Pope who became a great evangelizer started his ministry as the successor of St Peter on the day when the Church was celebrating the World Mission Day.  In 1978 when he inaugurated his pontificate it was Sunday, Mission Sunday.  I believe that we need to pay attention not only to the words but how the Lord puts them in the context. That’s why what the Pope said then is a powerful inauguration not only an office but a mission: “Brothers and sisters, do not be afraid to welcome Christ and accept his power. Help the Pope and all those who wish to serve Christ and with Christ's power to serve the human person and the whole of mankind. Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of States, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid. Christ knows "what is in man". He alone knows it.”

As we glorify God for the saintly Pope today I also quietly pray that this new celebration can help us Oblates to remember this day better. It was also October 22, when the first six Oblate missionaries left France to begin their first overseas mission. It was 1841 when they began they voyage to Canada. At that time there were 45 Oblates so to send 6 of them to Canada was very daring. In that decision I see was St. John Paul II encouraged the Church not to be afraid and to open wide the doors to Christ. Those early Oblates did that and the Lord blest them and the people they served.

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Blessed Paul VI

10/19/2014

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PictureBlessed Paul VI
This morning I baptized a two year old boy. As soon as the water was poured three times on his head and the Trinitarian Formula: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”  was pronounced the little Luke looked at me and said: “Thank you.” I must confess that I am still recovering from such a powerful faith experience. Isn’t what each one of us who have been baptized should say every day as we recall our own Baptism? The water of Baptism touched only the surface of our skin but the grace of the Blessed Trinity went deep, right to the core of our being, to our soul, to fill us and transform us from within. Today the Church across the world rejoices as a little boy begins the journey of holiness but today the Church across the world also rejoices as one of her children is declared a Blessed: Pope Paul VI. It is a powerful reminder that what is done at the Baptism does work. Blessed Paul VI allowed the Holy Spirit to work marvels in his life. The same Holy Spirit who was given to Paul VI has been given to all of us who have been baptized. For those who may grow tired on their Christian journey of holiness the Church gently assures today: “Have faith! Trust the Lord! What God accomplished in Blessed Paul VI He wants to accomplish in you too.”

This Sunday fills me with so many reasons to glorify the Lord. 39 years ago it was also 19th of October when the Pope who is being beatified today, Paul VI, beatified four Servants of God, among whom was Eugene de Mazenod. That Sunday Paul VI declared: “After much careful deliberation, and having prayerfully implored divine light, now with our Apostolic Authority, we inscribe in the register of the beatified Charles-Joseph-Eugene de Mazenod.” In his homily Paul VI preached: “To the sons of Father de Mazenod, (Oblates of Mary Immaculate)… be very proud; exult with joy. Blessed Eugene was impassioned lover of Jesus Christ; he was unconditionally attached to the Church. On the morrow of the French Revolution, Providence was to make him a pioneer of pastoral renewal…” The Blessed Pope also used the words of his Predecessor Pope Pius XI, to describe the Oblates when he said that Sunday: “Oblates, you are the specialist of the most difficult missions.”

That Sunday 39 years ago was a Mission Sunday, today the Church observes a Mission Sunday too. As we think about the missionary activity of our Church which takes the Gospel to all continents let’s listen to what Blessed Paul VI preached in 1975 when he beatified the Founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate: “To all baptized, to all apostles of today, Blessed Eugene sends out the message: let the fire of Pentecost invest, invade you and you will experience the enthusiasm of mission.”

As I was watching the image of Blessed Paul VI being unveiled on the façade of St Peter’s Basilica in Rome after Pope Francis declared him Blessed of the Church I quietly said what little Luke said this morning: “Thank you.” It was for the holiness of that Pope and for him recognizing in the name of the Catholic Church the holiness of our Founder. Blessed Paul VI you can be sure that we Oblates have taken seriously what you said to us on 19th of October 1975 – we are very proud of Our Founder Saint Eugene de Mazenod. We also thank you Blessed Paul VI for your words of encouragement and faith. Thank you.
 

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Tomb of Blessed Paul VI in Rome
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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily

10/18/2014

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            Some time ago when digital photography was unknown and no one thought that phones would be used to take pictures, a little boy was asked by his teacher to bring a photo of him so that he could be issued with a student card. Following day he handed a photo over to his teacher. She was surprised to see that the photo was of his father. So she said: “You have brought the wrong photo. I need a photo of you not of your Dad.” Now the little boy got surprised and said: “What’s wrong with the photo? Can’t you see the resemblance? Can’t you see that Dad and I look alike?”

            My Sisters and Brothers! The Pharisees were very cunning questioning Jesus, however they knew the Bible well. Our Blessed Lord asked then first: “Whose head, or following the Greek translation of the Gospel of St Matthew, whose image – eikon is on the denarius coin?” They said: “Caesar’s.” Then Jesus said: “Give back to the Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” That’s how the passage finished today but if we kept reading we would find this sentence: “This reply took them by surprise and they left him alone and went away.” Why did Jesus’ reply take them by surprise? Because they realized straight away that he spoke of what is written in the first chapter of Genesis: “God created man in the image of himself, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.” It means that every human person bears an image of God. As I have said already that image in Greek is – eikon, which we use often too. Just think how often we talk about icons. I don’t mean the icons you find on your computer, smartphone or tablet but those beautiful and mysterious paintings coming particularly from Eastern tradition. An icon is like a window that enables you to look into the divine, awesome world we all dream to be part of. An icon gives us a glimpse of the mystery of Our God. The very first icon was produced by God himself when he created the first people. When he blessed them so that they could be fruitful and multiply, he wanted them to fill the earth with icons of himself. Giving the humans the power of procreation he gave them talents to continue his magnificent art of creating new icons of God.

            When the fullness of time came and the Son of God was to descend among humans, he appeared as a human himself. The second Person of the Blessed Trinity – Jesus Christ, didn’t appear in some exulted form of an angel or seraphim or cherubim or some other but as we profess in our Creed every Sunday: “He was incarnate of the Virgin and became man.” Some people wonder why Jesus had to be a human person. He has become a human being because God has never ceased seeing in every human person the image of himself. I guess that those who question the reality of God becoming man are the people who can’t see the image of God in their neighbor.

            To finish this homily let me do a quiz.

Who is on the obverse of 5¢? Queen Elizabeth II. Who is on the 10¢? Queen Elizabeth II. Who is on 50¢? Queen Elizabeth II. Who is on 1$? Queen Elizabeth II. Who is on 2$? Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, let’s do a bit exercising? Turn to the person next to you. Whose image can you see in his or her face? God. Turn to the person behind you. Whose image can you see in his or her face? God. Look at the person in front of you. Whose image can you see in his or her face? God. Look at our altar servers. Whose image can you see in their faces? God.

            My dear friends! Queens, kings, presidents and PMs will pass away. The coins produced during their time will be lost but you can be sure that in two thousand years when people look into each other faces they can still say: “I can see an image of our God in you.” Even if because of lack of faith they may not see God in their neighbor God will still see the image of himself in humans.
 

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St Teresa of Jesus

10/15/2014

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When at the age of 61, St Teresa of Jesus was presented with a painting of her, she said to the artist: “May God forgive you. You have painted me ugly!” Some could detect traces of her hot Spanish temperament but knowing her faith we can also recognize that she was able to see in herself the beauty which was telling her of God who created her in his image, and God who redeemed her by his suffering on the cross.

Next year the Church will celebrate the Fifth Centenary of her birth. She was born on March 28, 1515. At the age of 21 she joined a Carmelite. However the monastery was more like a palace for spoilt girls then a place of prayer and penance. For next 21 years Teresa lived there but she didn’t become corrupted by the bad example of others. The deciding moment came when she was 42. She was praying before an image of the scoured Jesus. As she looked into his eyes she discovered that she couldn’t just focus on her own, personal holiness, that the holiness of others was important too. That day when she was looking into the eyes of suffering Lord a revolution was beginning. It originated in her heart and was to extend to all corners of the world through prayer, ministry and example of life of Carmelites. The next 25 years of her life she spent travelling and establishing new monasteries of the reformed Carmelite Order. The nun who wanted to spend her life in solitude of contemplative prayer didn’t hesitate to do God’s work. She did it well. Her writings show her concern for others. She was sharing her mystical experiences so that more people could be drawn to follow Jesus.

As I reflected on her life I saw how powerfully Jesus worked through her life. I can also see in her life that the changing moment when she prayed before the suffering Christ what similar to what changed St Eugene when he prayed before the crucifix. Both of the saints were led to love the Church so much that they were able to look beyond their own dreams for holiness and perfection. They have become experienced guides for others on the way to Christ.

I believe we all can benefit with her advice that can become our prayer:

Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily

10/11/2014

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            A missionary somewhere in Africa was instructing people in the Catholic Faith. Then he noticed a young man coming who was completely naked. The priest didn’t want to upset the new candidate so very gently he said to him: “Look, when we, Christians, come to our church we dress appropriately to show God that we respect him.” The young man looked up at the priest puzzled then he looked at his naked body and very embarrassingly whispered: “I am so sorry father. Give me a moment.” He run quickly home and came back wearing a hat.

            My Sisters and Brothers! In the Gospel we heard about a man not wearing a wedding garment. To avoid misunderstanding, like it happened in the African jungle, let’s reflect on what that mysterious garment was all about. Two events from the Bible I would like to recall today.

The first one is from the Book of Genesis. After the people sinned they their eyes were opened and they realized that they were….naked. That’s right. They hoped to be like God but they lost their innocence, their dignity. What did they do next? “They sewed the fig-leaves together to make themselves loin-clothes.” However their first garment couldn’t cover their shame, their guilt, and their anger. They hid themselves from God as if God were to look lustfully at them. Because of their sin they didn’t see purity and respect in God’s eyes but only the reflection of their own lust and passions. How many people around us stay away from God like Adam and Eve did. They stay away from God because all they see is their sin and shame. They don’t want to look into God’s eyes because all they see is their own sinful past they want to erase.

What did God do for Adam and Eve before He expelled them from Paradise? “God made clothes out of skins for the man and his wife, and they put them on.” They didn’t wear silk, wool or cotton but skins. How skins are obtained? An animal must be killed first. As Adam and Eve were walking out of Paradise wearing skins it was promised to them that the guilt and shame they have brought upon themselves and the whole humankind were to be taken away by the blood of the Innocent Lamb crucified on Good Friday - Christ the Lord.

The second event I would like to talk about is Jesus’ death itself. In the Gospel of John we read that: “When the soldiers had finished crucifying Jesus they took his clothing and divided it among themselves.” Those who had the Blood of Jesus on their hands were given Jesus’ clothing. He was humiliated on the cross so that they and we could be given our dignity back. On the cross our sin was forgiven. The wedding garment Jesus spoke of in the Gospel is God’s forgiveness enveloping us as the best outfit we could find. But God doesn’t force it on us. He offers it to us. How can we tell that somebody wears this wedding garment, God’s forgiveness? When people forgive others. When people acknowledge their own sins and are sorry for them. When people dream and pray not to sin any more because they know how much it cost Jesus to forgive us our sins. Behind his words: I forgive you there is hidden his sacrifice on the cross. Remember the animals killed to cover the shame and guilt of Adam and Eve. Jesus gave his life to cover what those skins of animals would never cover: our guilt, shame, embarrassment etc.

My Dear Friends! As you have observed our priests dress a bit differently to the rest of the congregation. Have you observed that? Great! You are very observant! I guess that this green chasuble stands out but let me draw your attention to this white alb underneath. You don’t need to be a priest or a bishop to wear it. Any person coming to the Catholic Church puts on this robe after being baptized. It is a baptismal garment, the robe that reminds of God’s forgiveness. When I walk into a church to celebrate Mass it is not a royal entrance but it is the entrance of a sinner who has been forgiven and who wants to extend forgiveness to others. You know what? You don’t need to be a priest to forgive those who have wronged you. But when you rejoice for being forgiven and forgive others, even if you walk about in your plain clothes God sees that you are wearing the wedding garment.

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Birthday in the Scholasticate

10/10/2014

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As the last term is becoming busier and busier it was a good distraction to have Br Sayyane’s birthday. The celebration started with evening Eucharist and Vespers and flowed to our community time. Although brothers are preparing to become missionary priests we do value every moment we have together. Our life isn’t only about big projects but it stresses the importance of various events in our daily life. There is no doubt that each Oblate is a gift to his community and it is the way we celebrate birthdays. As birthdays bring wit them them various cakes and sweets we acknowledge that the highlight it is the person whose gift of life we thank God for. St Eugene wanted us to see in each other the presence of the Lord and to be grateful that our brother Oblates become part of our life as much as we become theirs.

Happy birthday Br Sayyane!!!!

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27th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily

10/4/2014

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Some months ago one of our seminarians who is preparing to be a missionary priest was on the train coming from his classes in the city. He was reading a book he needed for his essay. Next to him there was a group of young people. When they saw that he was reading a book on Jesus one of them said: “Look at this poor guy. He is wasting time studying this fantasy story of Jesus.”

Do you think that the seminarian wasted his time learning more about our Blessed Lord?

            My Dear Sisters and Brothers! The parable told us by Jesus today shows how badly people were treating those whom God was sending to them, how badly they treated his servants – the prophets and even his Son. We may think: Poor prophets. All they got for their mission was mockery or death. Jesus himself got both of them: mockery and death. Do you think that their life was wasted?

            There is no waste when a person gives his life to Jesus, when the person becomes a sign in the midst of others telling that God loves his people.

            A few days ago we honored our Guardian Angels. I suspect that some of us think of the angels in the same way I and my folks were thinking of Asian people when I was growing up in Poland. We thought that they all were Chinese. Some Catholics think that all those pure spirits in heaven are angels. But they are not. Only those spirits who are chosen by God to look after people or those who communicate some important message like Gabriel can be called angels. What on earth would inspire them to leave the beautiful heaven and come to this polluted planet? They love God so much that God’s love for the people becomes their love too. They share God’s passion for the people.

            What makes people friends? They share same interests or the same hobby. What is God’s interest or his hobby, if we could use this expression? God is interested in saving us. His hobby is all about his love for us. This hobby God doesn’t share only with his angels but he also shares it with some people, like prophets. They came to know God so well that God’s love for his chosen people became theirs. Our first reading for this Mass comes from one of those close friends of God – Prophet Isaiah. He says: “Let me sing to my friend the song of his love for his vineyard. And to make sure that it is all clear he explains whom he means by his friend and by the vineyard: “The vineyard of the Lord of Hosts is the House of Israel.” His friend his the Lord of Hosts and the vineyard is the People God chose as his own. He loved God so much that he loved the people in the way God loves them.

            I am not sure if you ever worked in a vineyard? It is a very demanding job. It needs to be regular and done with patience. That’s how God works on us, his vineyard, his Church. He not only shares his hobby, his passion for the Church with his angels but he also shares this hobby of his with you and me.

            Is faith waste of time? It could be if it didn’t lead us to share God’s passion for his Church.


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St Therese of the Child Jesus

10/1/2014

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PictureSt Therese promised to send the rain of roses (graces) on earth
  Where could I spend the day of St Therese of the Child Jesus if not in her shrine? Today as the Church honors the Little Flower I went to this little church in Kew, Melbourne, which is the national shrine of St Therese here in Australia. I must confess I took with me some issues I wanted to ask her to take care of. It is a beautiful little church, it looks like a taste of heaven. As I was praying an elderly Carmelite nun was watering flowers there. Then she disappeared and some tie later out of blue she was tapping me on the shoulder and said: “St Therese wants you to have this.” She was holding a little book “Praying with Therese of Lisieux” I always knew that my dear friend in heave, St Therese is very efficiient when it comes to answering prayers but I was taken aback by how quickly she does it. I am confident that the issues I took to the shrine to pray for are in good hands now. It hasn’t been the first time when the Little Flower helped an Oblate. In 1912 two Oblate Priests were sent to the Inuit of Hudson Bay in the Northern Canada. They worked very hard to establish a new mission but there was no interest among the Natives To make things more difficult at that time two other Oblates were brutally murdered by another group of the Inuit. Friends tried to convince the Oblates to leave the mission. However Bishop Charlebois who was an Oblate himself decided to give one more year to the mission. It was 1915. In Autumn 1916, two envelopes arrived addressed to the Oblate working in the mission. However there was no return address on either of them. 
The first enveloped contained a booklet: The Little Flower of Lisieux. The booklet tells that she prayed for missionaries and that she promised to spend her heaven doing good things for the earth. Could she possibly bring about the conversion of the Inuit? The second envelope contained a bit of soil, along with this note: “Soil taken from under the first coffin of the Little Flower of Lisieux. With this she performs miracles.” Both Oblates spent the evening praying to the nun who wasn’t yet canonized. Next day when one of them was playing an organ when a group of the Inuit approached him and listened to his performance. The other Oblate came from behind and dropped the soil form the grave of Therese in the hair.
Following Sunday, at the sound of the bell, the Inuit arrived. They said “We knew that you were speaking the truth, but we didn’t want to listen. Right now, our sins frighten us. Could you remove them?” Father Turquetil answered: “Yes. Come in and I’ll explain it to you.” His sermon was on Baptism. Then he turned his thoughts to the Little Flower: “Therese, you made this possible… keep on inspiring them, and guide them towards Baptism.” That night, one of th elders, came to the Father: “We are three who want to be baptized, with our wives and children.” “Fine,” answered the Oblate, “but first I must instruct you. This could take time. And you will be leaving soon to hunt” “We will not be hunting, we’ll stay here to be instructed and baptized.” answered the man. The Oblate asked: “How will you nourish yourselves?” The answer was: “It’s very simple, the one you call Our Father, he loves us… he will help us, we will not die of hunger and we will be baptized” They then agreed that the catechumenate would begin on the following day, for two hours each day.
For the next eight and a half months, all of them persevered faithfully. On July 2, 1917, this date, Father Turquetil had the joy of baptizing his first Inuits. It was a grand day for him and for the Oblate missions of the Far North. Saint Theresa had saved themission.
Bishop Charlebois was so impressed with the development that he sent a request to Rome, signed by 226 missionary bishops from all over the world, asking for the grace to declare Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus patroness of all the missions in the world. In 1927, Pope Pius XI responded favorably to this request. Now the Catholic Church has got two patron for her missions: St Francis Xavier who spend his life as a missionary and a Carmelite nun who died in her little convent in France but who has been very busy now interceding and supporting missionaries around the world.

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Shrine of the Little Flower, Melbourne
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Altar of the Little Flower in the Shrine
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