THE MIRACLE OF ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

Yesterday, March 7, the pilgrim relic of St Therese of the Child Jesus was schedule to pass by our small city on it's way to the airport going to Manila. The last time the relic came to the Philippines was in 2000 and I remember lining up with my Mom, brother, son, our house helpers in the Carmelite Monastery Chapel in Bacolod City where it was placed for public veneration. We were among the thousands who lined up then. This time, when the relic arrived we did not have a chance to visit because we had so many appointments and in fact, my mom said that everyone in Bacolod was in the Carmelite's except us. So the next best thing was just to line up in church to watch it pass by in motorcade on it's way to the airport. I woke up early and drove my Mom to the church, and on our way we saw children lining the streets carrying the diocesan flags and flowers also waiting for the motorcade. Upon reaching the church, I wondered aloud...why are the people inside, will the relic stop over and enter the church? I parked the car and my mom went ahead inside excitedly. Indeed the relic will enter the church! Why? Because the airforce plane bringing it back to Manila went first on a mercy mission to Eastern Samar and will be delayed. The plane finally came at 5:00 PM. And so, the plan for just a passing through of the pilgrim relic of St. Therese of the Child Jesus was suddenly changed to an actual visit. We also found out that the ancestor of the Gaston family in Silay was from Lisieux, the small town where St. Therese lived. He was born 23 years before Therese and worked as a watch repairman. Guess what the work of St. Therese father was? ...a watchmaker! Therefore, in all probability, Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Louis Martin knew each other and may even have worked together. In our small city was also a school, Colegio de Sta. Teresita, now called St. Theresita's Academy, so it is no wonder that the Little FLower of the Child Jesus wanted to stay for a little while and be with us. It was God's grace and a small miracle!