The Little Flower

Let’s begin by saying Hello October! And how are you? Within the Catholic Church, the month of October is dedicated to praying the Holy Rosary. Every year I vow to follow the examples of my faith and pray the Rosary every day. I have yet to make it to the finish line.

Perhaps with the help of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, whose feast day we celebrate today I’ll be more mindful of my commitment to prayer. Her official title is Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and The Holy Face. She is also called the Little Flower of Jesus, or simply the Little Flower or Little Rose.

Some saints are called to be saints early in life. Others have fought great spiritual battles before coming to God. Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin heard God’s call early in life. She joined her two older sisters as a nun in the cloistered Carmelite community of Lisieux in Normandy. Answering God’s call did not mean she would not struggle or suffer. Saint Thérèse died at the age of 24 from tuberculosis. It was after her death that she became globally known as a result of her spiritual memoir, The Story of a Soul. In it she reveled her own struggles of faith, and even her sense of abandonment at one point in her journey. Saint Thérèse is very important to me personally. During a particularly difficult time in my life when I felt separated from Jesus. His presence was something that had always been with me, and suddenly when it seemed I needed Him most, I felt isolated. When I spoke with our Parish Pastor at the time, he told me that such experiences put me in very good company, and he pointed to Saint Thérèse in particular. While I might not pray the rosary every day, on the Feast Day of Saint Thérèse I do light a candle and say a prayer.

Dear Little Flower, make all things lead me to heaven and God,
Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars
and the vast expanse in which they float,
or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest,
the beauties of the earth so full of color and so glorious,
may they speak to me of the love and power of God;
may they all sing His praises in my ear.
Like you may I daily love Him more and more
Amen

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Sausage and Bowtie Supper
1 Yellow Bell Pepper
1 Orange Bell Pepper
1 large Red Onions
1 lb Sweet Italian Sausage Links
1 lb Hot Italian Sausage Links
1 (24 oz) jar Pasta Sauce
8 oz Bowtie Pasta
Feta Cheese for garnish

Stem, core and slice the bell peppers. Peel and cut the onion into slivers, Set aside.

Spray the insert of a slow cooker with cooking spray. Scatter the onions and peppers in the bottom of the prepared insert. Lay both kinds of sausage, still in their casings, on top of the vegetables. Pour the pasta sauce over the sausage. Fill the now empty pasta sauce jar about a quarter of the way with water, then add wine to fill the jar about half-way. Swirl to collect any sauce remaining in the jar, empty into the slow cooker. Cover; cook on LOW setting for 8 hours or HIGH setting for 4 hours.

Once the sausage and vegetables have finished cooking, keep on warm. Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook the pasta, uncovered, until cooked through but still firm, about 10 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

While the water comes to a boil and the pasta cooks, remove sausage from the slow cooker. Coin cut sausage links in their casings, return to the cooker and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve the pasta topped with the sausage mixture. If desired, garnish with a sharp cheese such as Feta. For a simple supper, serve with warm bread.

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Let my tongue be silenced if I ever forget you!