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VENERATION OF ST. THÉRÈSE

Here, today, in this Cathedral, the fullness of the invisible St. Thérèse is present. Today, this is the place, (hic locus est) where we encounter her face to face as it were. The distance of pilgrimage has been overcome. We have been yearning and longing for an intimate closeness with a saint. Now we have been given the joys of proximity. Heaven, as it were, has come to us.

St. Thérèse in Heaven, is present with us today. She brings with her the power, the mercy, the love, the compassion of our Heavenly Father. She is the bridge between heaven and earth. She who has the ear of God the Father and of Jesus Christ, our Lord, is here, fully present and attentive to what we have to say. She is the special messenger, the ambassador. She enjoys closeness and intimacy with God. She is God’s friend.

To you o holy one, we address our prayers of intercession. We have come to venerate you. By far, most of our prayers are about health in mind and body. We deeply crave God’s mercy; God’s forgiveness. We long for cures for our spiritual and physical ailments.

We kindly request you to plead our cause. We turn to you for friendship, for the renewal of our feeble faith and for strength to keep the simple promises we have made. We ask for protection; for inspiration, and for a genuine change of heart. This is a privileged moment. Every year thousands travel to your grave in search of a miracle. But today the grave, no, the “non-grave”, has come to us.

Through you, we pray that our Archdiocese will be blessed; brought together in unity and be strengthened in the faith. Let our families be renewed in the faith. Let South Africa be endowed with wise and caring leaders. Intercede on our behalf that we too may have saints in this land who will inspire, protect and guide us. Through you, we pray for the causes of Abbot Pfanner and Benedict Dwasa.

Behold, a friend of God is fully present among us. Let us venerate her in spirit and in truth. For this is a time favoured by the Lord. An auspicious moment. A moment full of grace. An occasion hopefully of a deep and lasting spiritual experience.