Episode 2821: A Servant's Journey to the Lord's Assembly - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
A Servant's Journey to the Lord's Assembly
Welcome to Faithful Traditions, where we reflect on the beauty and depth of our Catholic faith. Today, we will explore the courageous witness of St. Anysia of Thessalonica, the spiritual depth of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and how their lives inspire us to abandon ourselves entirely to God’s will.
Segment 1: St. Anysia – Courage in Witness
The words of St. Anysia remind us of the unwavering courage of those who live for Christ:
"I am," said she, "a servant of Jesus Christ, and am going to the Lord’s assembly."
St. Anysia lived during a time of great persecution under the Roman Empire. Her declaration was not simply a statement of intent but an act of profound faith. To go to the Lord’s assembly meant risking her life to worship God in secret. This courage ultimately led to her martyrdom.
Her example reminds us that our identity as servants of Christ requires us to live boldly, no matter the cost. In our modern world, where faith is often met with indifference or hostility, we are called to stand firm and proclaim the truth.
Are we willing to say, with St. Anysia, "I am a servant of Jesus Christ"? Are we prepared to follow Him wherever He calls, even if it leads to sacrifice?
Segment 2: St. Thérèse – Abandonment to God's Will
St. Thérèse of Lisieux provides us with another powerful example of total surrender to God. In her reflection, she wrote:
"I received this floweret as a relic, and noticed that in gathering it my father had pulled it up by the roots without breaking them; it seemed destined to live on, but in other and more fertile soil. Papa had just done the same for me. He allowed me to leave the sweet valley where I had passed the first years of my life for the mountain of Carmel."
This imagery of the flower pulled from the earth beautifully symbolizes the soul’s journey from earthly attachments to the fertile soil of God’s will. St. Thérèse recognized that God was calling her to a higher purpose, and she embraced this call with joy, even as it meant leaving the comforts of her family and home.
Her story teaches us the importance of detachment from earthly ties. Like Thérèse’s little flower, our lives are meant to bloom in the fertile soil of God’s love, even if it means enduring the breaking of attachments and comforts we once held dear.
Segment 3: Lessons for Our Lives
Both St. Anysia and St. Thérèse show us the path of total abandonment to God’s will.
From St. Anysia, we learn the courage to profess our faith openly, regardless of the challenges or persecutions we may face.
From St. Thérèse, we learn the beauty of surrendering ourselves entirely to God, trusting that He will plant us where we will grow best in His grace.
In our daily lives, we are called to live as servants of Jesus Christ, just as St. Anysia declared, and to trust in God’s providence as St. Thérèse did. This might mean speaking up for our faith in a hostile environment, embracing our vocations wholeheartedly, or letting go of worldly attachments to draw closer to God.

Are we willing to allow God to "pull us up by the roots," as Thérèse described, and plant us in the fertile soil of His will?
Conclusion Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the witness of St. Anysia and St. Thérèse, who lived as faithful servants of Your divine will. Grant us the courage of St. Anysia to proclaim our faith boldly and the trust of St. Thérèse to surrender ourselves entirely to Your plan.
May we always seek the fertile soil of Your grace, leaving behind all that ties us to this world, and grow in holiness as we journey toward the heavenly assembly.
Through the intercession of Your saints and the guidance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we always remain faithful to You.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us on Faithful Traditions. May the courage of St. Anysia and the childlike trust of St. Thérèse inspire you this week as you live your faith boldly and joyfully. Until next time, may God bless you abundantly.