When the young nun, St. Therese of Lisieux, laid upon her death bed in 1897, she watched a rose bush blooming outside her window, and she said: “After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good upon Earth.”
The mythic story of this modern saint and her “little way” has resonated with Christians since the early twentieth century. She exemplified a path to Catholic sainthood that required no violent battles fought or philosophical manifestos argued. She wrote in her journal, which was later published as the book Story of a Soul, “I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short, and totally new.”
Lay people and religious across the world have found inspiration in her story and have prayed for her intercession, which is said to be given with the gift of a rose.
The Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Covington, Louisiana have long expressed a devotion to “the little saint” by celebrating her feast day on October 1. For twenty six years, the sisters have hosted the annual Mass of Roses on the first Sunday in October. Gathering with the community on the grounds of their monastery, the sisters distribute hundreds of roses—blessed at the hands of a priest—to the congregation. The Mass has only been cancelled three times in the Carmelites’ twenty-six years in Covington: once for Hurricane Katrina when thirty-five trees fell on the property, last year for COVID-19, and again this year.
Carmelites make a vow of poverty, living very simple lives supported largely by donations. The funds raised annually during the Mass of Roses pays, specifically, for health insurance for sisters in Covington. As it has for so many other organizations and businesses, the pandemic has taken a serious financial toll on the Carmelite community—which has been exacerbated by damages caused by recent Hurricane Ida. During this time, the sisters could use the support of their Louisiana community.
“Our hearts go out to all the sick, dying, and caretakers,” says Sister Edith Turpin. “We pray daily for a permanent stop to the pandemic. We are very grateful for those of you who still think of us and strive to help up us during this time.”
To learn more about the Carmelites in Covington, their lives and their mission, visit covingtoncarmel.org. To donate, call (985) 898-0923 or contact Sister Turpin at ocd.edith@gmail.com.
