"The Remains of a Burnt-out Love"
Relics of our Patron visit the UK

St Thérèse of Lisieux was made the YCW patron in 1929 by Pope Pius XI. She was ommitted to the everyday, ordinary experiences of life, discovering God in them and offering her work and life to Him. In this way, the Pope, by making her our Patron, recognised how Thérèse's own story is an example for every Young Christian Worker.

Offering her daily tasks to God, known as her "Little Way", fits well with the YCW's See-Judge-Act. The Saint's vision of finding God in the small everyday things of daily life, is given a practical tool in our Review of Life Method, helping us as YCWs to see where God is acting, and to act with Him, in our everyday tasks.

St Thérèse's "Little Way" is nothing more complicated than recognising that holiness is not to be found only in dramatic martyrdom or major sacrifice, but in accepting the irksome little things and minor sacrifices which are part of each day. This quiet acceptance of what goes against our will, "mortifications", or "offering it up" formed a major part of traditional Catholicism. We can, for instance, get up the minute the alarm goes off, rather than having another five minutes in bed; when the bus is late, or we are late for the bus, we can give that time to God, or do something useful with it, rather than huffing and cursing. Most important of all, for YCWs, we can use our work as a way to holiness, whatever our work is - study, seeking work, or work itself. The French Dominican and worker-priest, Marie-Dominique Chenu (who, incidentally, was a strong supporter of the early Young Christian Workers), thought that our work - whatever it is - is the way in which we participate in God's creative activity. If we think of our work this way, it should make us want to do the very best job we can, for God and for the whole of creation. Whatever we are doing, whether we are doing the housework, homework or paid work, God asks only that we do our task to the best of our ability, and with a smile - for we are doing it for, and with, him.

The relics of St Thérèse visited the UK from 16th September to 16th October 2009. The purpose of the visit was to show in a concrete way that God is alive and visits his people.

The YCW organised the young adult event in London, at Westminster Cathedral, on Wednesday 14th October.

The liturgy led the young people through the life of St Thérèse, to help them reach a better understanding of the "little way". After the vigil there was an opportunity to pray through the night around the relics.

The photos here capture some of the moments from that evening.