Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway

An icon by Lewis Williams, SFO

This icon, "The Four Churchwomen of El Salvador," available at Trinity Stores, represents Maryknoll missioners Ita Ford and Maura Clarke, lay missioner Jean Donovan, and Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, who were martyred in El Salvador thirty-four years ago today.  How they lived in the spirit of St. Therese, who loved the "little ones" of the world and who longed to be both a missionary and a martyr!  

In reflecting on their lives and witness in the light of the life of St. Therese, patron of missions, I was reminded of Therese's letter of May 9, 1897 to Fr. Adolphe Roulland, the newly ordained French priest who had just gone out on mission to China, where the French were so much hated that their lives were at risk.  Therese had just learned of the death of Fr. Mazel, a 26-year-old French priest in China who had been killed by looters because he was a European.

On this earth, where all changes, one single thing remains, and this is the conduct of the King of heaven regarding His friends. Ever since He has lifted up the stan­dard of the Cross, it is under its shadow that all must fight and carry off the victory. Théophane Vénard said: "The whole of a mis­sionary's life is fruitful in the Cross"; and again: "To be truly happy we must suffer, and to live we must die."

Brother, the beginnings of your apostolate are marked with the seal of the Cross; the Lord is treating you as a privileged one. It is more by persecution and suffering than by brilliant preaching that He wills to make His kingdom firm in souls. You say: "I am still a child who cannot speak." Père Mazel, who was ordained the same day as you, did not know how to speak either; however, he has already taken up the palm. ... Oh! how the divine thoughts are above ours! ... When learning about the death of this young mis­sionary whom I heard named for the first time, I felt drawn to in­voke him; I seemed to see him in heaven in the glorious choir of Martyrs. I know that in the eyes of men his martyrdom does not bear this name, but in the eyes of God this sacrifice without any glory is not less fruitful than the sacrifices of the first Christians, who confessed their faith before tribunals. Persecution has changed in form, the apostles of Christ have not changed in sentiment, so the divine Master would not be able to change His rewards unless it were to increase them in proportion to the glory which was refused them here below.

. . . . how can we doubt that God will open the doors of His kingdom to His children who loved Him even to sacrificing all for Him, who have not only left their family and their country to make Him known and loved, but even desire to give their life for Him whom they love.... 

(Letters of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Volume II,  tr. John Clarke, O.C.D.  Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1988, pp. 1092-1093).

These words remind me so much of the women, especially of Ita, who arrived in El Salvador in April 1980, and Maura, who came to El Salvador in the autumn of 1980.  In a few short months, they suffered much with the eople they loved so well.  Therese's words "This sacrifice without any glory" reminded me vividly of the heart-rending film of the shallow grave by which the other nuns were kneeling--film which was all over our television screens.  At that time it was only a year since I had completed my year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.  We felt very close to these women, who were our contemporaries.  To many young people today, they are historical figures, but, if you get to know them, they will inspire you no less.  To learn more about them, view the 2:32 film below.

 book "Salvador Witness: The Life and Calling of Jean Donovan" by Ana Carrigan  Also see Ana Carigan's book "Salvador Witness: The Life and Calling of Jean Donovan," which focuses on the lay missioner and former young executive, but tells very movingly the story of all four women.  Well-researched and well-written.  

May Therese, Ita, Maura, Dorothy, and Jean draw us to witness in the shadow of the Cross to the special love of Christ for the poor, and may we share in the Resurrection they enjoy now.