Saint Teresa's Church on Clarendon Street
St. Teresa's Church on Clarendon Street is the first church where I attended mass in Ireland, on my first full day, which happened to be a Sunday. I entered the church from a side alley of the exclusive shopping district. We decided to attend this church because Steph had read that they have a choir. The homily was about how taking up your cross isn't supposed to be about suffering from domestic abuse or illness. The priest said that he was alarmed when a Eucharistic Minister told him that a church-goer was interpreting being hit by her husband as the cross that she had to bear. Jesus wants people to be safe and well, the priest said. He sought to cure people when he was alive. Rather, the priest emphasized, carrying your cross is about striving to care for others, above yourself, in the same manner as Jesus. He gave the example of a mother staying up all night with her sick son. It is a sacrifice given willingly out of love, he said, in his slight Irish brogue. I was happy to learn that the church live streams services, so I can attend mass in the future, from my home in America.
I like this mosaic on the floor of the church because it reminds me of Ireland’s close relationship with the sea. You see the Holy Spirit descending on the 12 Apostles to inspire them to be “fishers of men.”
“The good God gave me a father and mother more worthy of Heaven than of Earth.” - St. Therese of Lisieux
“Louis Martin (1823-1894) and Azelie ‘Zelie’ Guerin Martin (1831-1877) had nine children; four died in infancy and five entered religious life.
During their 19-year marriage the couple was known to attend Mass daily, pray and fast, respect the Sabbath, visit the elderly and sick, and welcome the poor into their home. Although they experienced many difficulties through illness and death they are a significant model of a Christian family, demonstrating the power of faith lived well in the context of family life.
On 18 October 2015, Louis and Azelie Martin became the first married couple to be canonized as saints by Pope Francis. Their youngest daughter, St. Therese of Lisieux, has also been declared a Doctor of the Church.”
The holy spouses Louis Martin and Marie-Azelie Guerin practiced Christian service in the family, creating day by day an environment of faith and love which nurtured the vocations of their daughters.” - Pope Francis
