Vigil Gratitude for the Incomparable Parents of St. Therese

Another post so soon? Well, yes, if we're going to rashly announce novenas right and left, I think it only fair to follow up with a little celebration at their culmination, though I'll be honest and tell you I've been particularly pitiful about this one!

I was so lucky and blessed to be at the relics of Sts. Louis and Zelie two months ago, and when there, I told them how grateful I was for their giving us St. Therese, and how sorry I was to have so little devotion to them.

I wanted to do more, and this past week I determined, again, to read Louis and Zelie's letters (or rather Zelie and Louis' since the vast majority are from her pen) but somehow it isn't happening.

Ah Louis and Zelie! I say it again: Forgive me!
But in honor of your feast, I need to say something, so I will say this:

I thank you, dear Saints Louis and Zelie, for loving God and your children so much, for loving our holy Faith, and for loving the priesthood and religious life as well as your own vocation to marriage.

Thank you especially for giving us little Therese, who has given us little Marcel, who has made us happier than bugs in a rug. (I just looked that idiom up, and it should be "snug as bugs in a rug," but I think snug is very happy indeed, so it still works as far as I can tell!)

Ah, Marcel!
Here is what I read in your book of Conversations today, and I want to share it so we can all, in honor of Louis and Zelie's great love, absorb Jesus' love like a pile of dry sponges absorbing the living water!

On December 27, 1945, Jesus said to you (and to us through you):

So, what is it that you were asking me, Marcel, that I replied thus? You asked to be buried in my heart. It is good, I agree to it most gladly and, even if you did not ask for it I would not neglect to bury you in it anyway.

Come on Marcel, say after me: 'Jesus, I love you.' Little Marcel, why do you not say a word of love to me? Yes, why? Is it that you have already forgotten the word Love so that I must urge you to say it? In order to prove to me your love, Marcel, you have only two things to do, to say to me: 'Dear Jesus, I love you a lot.' Then look at me. Marcel, when you enjoy my conversation, you must say to me, 'Dear Jesus, I love you greatly.' This will be one way of answering me. As for looking at me, you will do so at the times when your heart feels bitterness and is unable to say a word to me. You will use this glance to give me a sign of your love. But you must make us of it only when I am not speaking to you. When I speak to you, don't just be content to remain there, leaning forward open-mouthed listening to me speaking without deigning to reply to me.

​My little Marcel, you get younger every day, so much so that I must begin again to teach you even the first words that I have already taught you. Why do you forget so quickly? However don't be sad because you have such a short memory. Even if you forget, you please me nevertheless, on condition that you do not worry about it.

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There is more, and it just gets better, as we just get younger!
But I don't want to tire you, dear reader, and so let me conclude by saying simply, "Don't be sad!" and too, "Don't worry!"

Louis and Zelie, pray for us!

And little Jesus: Draw me, we will run!