Relics of St. Therese of Lisieux

See those beautiful gold flowers?  They are the most beautiful reliquaries I've ever seen. These uniquely crafted flowers contain the relics of St. Therese and her parents, Blessed Marie-Azélie Guérin and Blessed Louis Martin.  

We here in Philadelphia were lucky enough to have these relics sent to us as gifts from France.  They were displayed for public veneration for a full week at the Cathedral Basilica.  Just beautiful, right?

I ended up coming back again on Saturday with a friend of mine.  John opted to stay in the car, but Chrissy, Vincent and I went in to pray before them one last time before they got sent to their final destination - a Carmelite monastery (also in Philadelphia).  

Vincent had never experienced public exposition before, so I really wanted him to see this part of our faith while he had the chance.  We waited our turn to kneel before the relics and I pulled him next to me.  He wasn't quite sure what to do.  I think he wanted to touch the reliquaries (which makes sense - they are super shiny!).  I told him, "Those are special flowers that have kisses from Heaven in them.  Can you thank Jesus for His special kisses?"

Vincent said, "Thank you, Jesus.  I love you, Jesus."  

He then blew a kiss to the box and I sent him back to stand with Chrissy while I said a brief prayer, myself.  

You see, folks, I had asked God to send me a sign last weekend at Mass.  Once and for all, Lord, just let me know I'm not crazy... let me know that Myla wasn't just a figment of my imagination.  For as much as I believe in my heart that I held her within me, outside pressures kept making me question myself.  So I begged God to just send me a sign one way or the other and I would leave it in His Hands.  She was so tiny - only about 4-5 weeks.

When I went to the Cathedral on Monday, I had no idea these were there.  In fact, when I went in during lunch, there was no identifying information.  I looked in the bulletin - nothing. I checked the website for the Cathedral - still nothing.  Finally, I called the rectory.  The secretary explained that they were relics of St. Therese and they just hadn't gotten around to posting about them yet because it was a last minute thing.

So knowing they were relics that would be gone by Saturday evening, I made sure to get back to properly venerate them and say prayers to Myla's namesake.

...

Myla was named after St. Therese of Lisieux (Myla Therese).  Not only did St. Therese send me a rose to answer my plea for confirmation, God allowed her to come in person to deliver the message.  I didn't even realize that until typing out this entry, and I'm crying all over again at the realization that God is so loving and merciful.  

All of my nightly prayers and kisses between Myla's guardian angel and mine have not been in vain.  My little sweetie is safe and in Heaven and I will not allow outside naysayers to cause me to doubt God's grace again.  

My little miracle, only a few weeks on this earth, already lives in Eternity.  

Bless the Lord for His faithful servant, St. Therese.  Bless the Lord for His gift of Myla.

Vincent and I before the relics of God's family of saints.

Best part about this experience is that on the way home, Chrissy was asking me all sorts of questions about St. Therese.  I explained a bit about her life, her death (and the shower of roses from Heaven) and how at the end of a novena to her, she lets you know she heard your prayer with a rose.

Chrissy asked me if I'd ever gotten a rose, and I actually said "NO."  Granted, I've never done the full novena to St. Therese, and I explained that to Chrissy, but stupid me, I didn't realize that I had just been delivered (TWICE) my first rose from St. Therese.

*Shakes head*

God must be laughing at my blindness.  He must absolutely be laughing.  *Grin*

I love you, Lord.  Laugh away.  <3