Daily Reflection, October 1, 2026

Reflection

Today is the feast day of one of the youngest and most beloved doctors of the Church, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. 

Dying two months short of her 25th birthday in a small French Carmelite monastery in 1897, her Spirituality would have a profound influence on the modern Catholic world. 

As a young person myself, St. Thérèse represents this amazing testament of God’s witness in our lives. As of a couple of weeks ago, I am now 25 but I spent the last year with a particular closeness to Therese being the same age as her when she passed away. How beautiful it is to be able to have friends in heaven!

As young people it can be tempting to just constantly wish to grow up, to be taken seriously by the adults around you. To get over all of the embarrassments that come with being young and to have it all together. And yet St. Thérèse provides an antidote to this and to all of us at any age- to be able to remain small and humble in the arms of the Father. 

Working in Youth ministry for the last 8 years, I am always surprised by how much adults underestimate Young People. Young people are a group of people filled with passion and seeing the world with fresh eyes. They want to be listened to, their ideas taken on- and not to just be held up as a token. 

St Therese, from such a young age, showed a depth of the Spiritual Life that would transform the world, not by her own striving, but by the power of surrender into her father’s arms. 

As we have more and more young people canonised, Carlo Acutis and Giorgio Frassati, and the many other saints who had their calling at a young age- we pray for the witness of young people, that they may know their voice and that we as adults are wise enough to listen and empower. 

Claire O’Donohueis currently serving as a member of the Oxley Passionist Youth Retreat Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree with majors in Visual Arts and Theology.