SAINT TERESA OF THE CHILD JESUS
Virgin, Doctor of the Church

DOUBLE / WHITE

Therese Martin (1873-97) entered the Carmelite convent in Lisieux, France, at the age of 15. Her simple but heroic religious life of nine years was dedicated to saving souls and to praying for priests. The young Carmelite longed to lead her hidden life of prayer in a pagan land, but illness kept her in France. Yet so well did she fulfill the essential vocation of a missioner that in 1927, two years after her canonization, Pope Pius XI declared her the patron of all missions, together with St. Francis Xavier, Apostle of the Orient.

INTROIT Cant. 4:8-9

Come forth from Lebanon, my spouse, come forth from Lebanon. Come! You have pierced my heart, my sister, my spouse, you have wounded my heart!

Ps. 112:1. Praise the Lord, you His children, praise the name of the Lord!

V. Glory be . . .

COLLECT

O Lord, You have said, "Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven." May we imitate the humility and the simplicity of heart of the blessed virgin Teresa, so that we too may win an eternal reward; who lives and rules with God the Father . . .

LESSON Isa. 66:12-14

For thus saith the Lord: "Behold I will bring upon her as it were a river of peace, and as an overflowing torrent the glory of the Gentiles, which you shall suck; you shall be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother caresseth, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. You shall see and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb, and the hand of the Lord shall be known to his servants, and he shall be angry with his enemies."

GRADUAL Matt. 11:25; Ps. 70:5

I praise Thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and prudent, and didst reveal them to little ones.

V. O Lord, you are my hope from my youth!

Alleluia, alleluia! V. Eccli. 39:17-19

Bud forth as the rose planted by the flowing stream! Give forth a sweet odor as frankincense! Send forth flowers as the lily, and be fragrant; bring forth leaves in beauty, and with songs of praise bless the Lord in His works! Alleluia!

GOSPEL Matt. 18:1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying: "Who, thinkest thou, is the greater in the kingdom of heaven?" And Jesus, calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them. And said: "Amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven."

OFFERTORY ANTIPHON Luke 1:46-48, 49

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid. He who is mighty has done great things for me.

SECRET 

May the prayers of the blessed virgin Teresa accompany our Sacrifice, O Lord, so that her merits, which we commemorate by these offerings, may make it acceptable to You. Through our Lord . . .

COMMUNION ANTIPHON Deut. 32:10-12

He led her about and instructed her, and guarded her as the apple of His eye. Like an eagle He spread His wings and took her upon His shoulders and carried her. The Lord alone was her leader.

POSTCOMMUNION 

O Lord, let this sacred rite of heaven inflame us with the same fire of love that inspired Your blessed virgin Teresa to offer herself to You as a victim of love for all men. Through our Lord . . .