October 1st

A particularly special day for me, for two reasons...

1. It is the Feast of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, patroness of the missions and of missionaries. She died in obscurity of tuberculosis in 1897, but was declared a saint in 1925, patron of missions in 1927, co-patroness of France in 1944 (along with one of her own favorite saints, Joan of Arc) and a Doctor of the Church in 1997. She is also my confirmation saint!

For all you trivia buffs out there, go here to read about the miracles which made her a saint.

2. It is the very first day of school at the Emmanuel School of Mission in Rome. This school, and the Emmanuel Community that runs the school, is under the special patronage of St. Thérèse. There is a large photograph of her in the school's dining room. It is no accident that her feast and the start of school fall on the same day.

So, exactly one year ago today, I arrived in Assisi with 19 other students to start off my year at ESM. We were there for a week of retreat and intense introduction to the school, coupled with lots of prayer in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare. Very fond memories of this. Assisi is absolutely one of the most beautiful and holiest cities I have ever been to. And the students of this year's class are on the same journey! Please keep them in your prayers.