Awesome Relic Story

A reader writes:

I saw your post the other day about your OSV story on relics; however, not being an OSV subscriber, I couldn’t read it. Nonetheless, I wanted to share our story about a relic that I thought might interest you. In addition, it will bring you up to date on our eldest son and his travails.

As you may recall, we had a hugely important meeting with the local school district back in January and the results of that meeting were, well, miraculous. Our high-priced experts told my wife and me that we went from Step 2 to Step 5 in one day, and that is unheard of. Considering the amount of resistance and animosity that we had received from the school (as opposed to the school district at the county level) over the previous eleven months, the outcome was even more spectacular and incredible.

Now the relic’s part in this story: Our son had been receiving Home Hospital Teaching from county-provided teachers since March 2009. The teacher who was assigned this past October is a lovely older gentleman who teaches out of a deeply rooted sense of service. Steve doesn’t need the money, and he certainly could be spending his retirement doing other things, but he feels called to help troubled students as best he can. He is also a devout Catholic, and raised six children with his recently deceased, beloved wife of 34 years. Our son has even asked Steve to be his sponsor as he prepares for Confirmation.

Well, this past Christmas, Steve gave our family a bona fide first-class relic of St. Therese of Lisieux, along with an actual photograph of her. He told us we could have the relic for a year, or until next Christmas. We bring out the reliquary for the family Rosary and such things.

In preparation for our meeting with the school district, among other things, My wife and her friend, M, prayed a novena to St. Therese. As the meeting date neared, M expressed her disappointment that she “didn’t get [her] rose,” referring to St. Therese’s fame for sending unexpected roses to those who ask for her intercession.

Immediately after the meeting and the astounding outcome, My wife and I drove to M’s house since she had been watching our two youngest sons. My wife had worn the relic around her neck during the meeting, and she pulled it out from underneath her blouse to show M. M venerated the relic, and when she did, she got a big smile. She handed it back to my wife and told her to smell the relic. There was a clear and distinct smell of tea roses. Having grown tea roses as a teenager, I easily recognized this very strong smell. M was gleeful, and immediately called her mother in Poland, exclaiming in Polish, “I got my rose!” Me, I thought it was really great that the relic had the fragrance of a rose, but was surprised that I hadn’t noticed it before.

Two days later when Steve came to our home for our son’s next teaching session, we told him the story and gave him the relic to smell. He handed it back and said that he didn’t smell anything. Sure enough, the fragrance was gone. It seems as though St. Therese sent her gift to us on the day of the meeting and only on that day – her little kiss was especially for us.

All Glory to God that He gives us these wonderful gifts, from the even better gifts of His glorious saints.

OBTW, our son started school two days ago in a non-public, private-placement day school. So far, so good. Seems to be a good fit for all concerned. The biggest challenge will be waking up at 0500 for a two-hour bus ride to school in Annapolis, then a 2+hour ride home in the afternoon.

Your continued prayers are welcome and needed. Thanks, Mark.

Father, thank you for this extraordinary sign of grace via your daughter, St. Therese. Grant supernatural faith, hope and love and give you healing to this boy and your strength, grace and consolation–and sanctification–to this family who hope and trust in you through your Son Jesus. Mother Mary and St. Therese, pray for them!