Reflection
on the
Return of the St. Therese Relics
TAIZÉ PRAYER AROUND RELICS OF ST THÉRÈSE.
The return visit of the relics of St.Thérèse to our monastery on 17/18th April invited us to revisit her life, and especially her teaching; a teaching that is as old as the Church itself. It is essentially about God’s love for us, and our response to that love. People came in thousands to touch the reliquary of St. Thérèse because they wished to be themselves touched with the living power of God who works through her. An all Night Vigil took place on Friday 17th starting with a Taize Prayer session at 9.00pm
The church was completely transformed by creating space in the centre around the Relics using numerous candles to provide light. This created a very peaceful, prayerful and listening atmosphere for the human tide, young and old, who came along and made themselves comfortable on benches or on cushions on the floor around the relics. As we reflected on the teaching of St. Thérèse and chanted the familiar Taize chants like Ubi Caritas, OAdoramus te Domine, Magnificat, My Peace I leave you....., which was beautifully sung by The Kilquade Parish Folk Group (Dick, Caroline, Sr.Enda, Rachael, Matt, and Patrica) it became an expression of collective prayer, and for many it proved to be a most refreshing spiritual experience as the words of the chants entered deep within our hearts.
As we prayed together that night in silence and at times of intercession, one could feel rivulets of prayer and communion flowing out into our world of fragile peace and broken promises. Yes, the desire for communion with God has been set within the human heart and the mystery of that communion reaches down to the very depths of our being.
What is the magic of Taize prayer? How do you explain its popularity among so many people all over the world? Well, for those who like to sing without having too much to learn it is ideal! One of its great strengths is its repeatability which can create a soothing, peaceful and harmonious atmosphere and this atmosphere was very palpable in our monastery church that night. Many stayed as the group of singers remained on and sustained the singing as we moved further and further into the night.
The flickering candles were a reminder that Christ’s love is a fire that never goes out and the words of Bro. Roger of Taize came to mind:
“When the night becomes dark,
His love is a fire.
So fix your gaze on the lamp burning in the darkness
Until the dawn comes
And the morning star rises in your heart.”
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Reflection read during the Taize Vigil.
“You are the light of the World!
A Reading from the Gospel of Saint Matthew
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”
Reflection
Therese lived a life that was short and small and hidden. But that little life was so filled with God’s love and God’s light that it burst beyond itself. It gave light to the people who knew her then. It gives light to us here tonight. It does – and will – give light to the world.
Therese shone the light of love into the darkest, dullest crevices of daily existence by performing endless acts of tenderness, of tolerance and of thoughtfulness. Each one so tiny, so ordinary, so unremarkable – it was their sheer abundance that made her a saint. She did not just love the Gospel. She lived it.
And she never lost sight of itslight. Once, as a small child, she sat on a rock at the seaside with her sister, Pauline, watching the sun cast a golden path along the water. When Pauline said that it looked like the path to Heaven illuminated by God’s grace, Therese decided that she would always think of her soul as a little white ship sailing along the path of light to heaven.
Now, as we stare into the darkness of this cruel recession, it would be tempting to lose sight of the light. It would be easy to sink down into the thick, airless black and forget that the light was ever there. It would be tempting - and easy. Because light can be demanding. It asks us to have integrity and strength and trust and energy.
Now, especially now, we are challenged to keep the light in sight, to share it in a thousand tiny ways with each other and to keep our little ships on that path towards the sun – just like Therese did and just like the Gospel asks.
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