Scottish Catholic Observer

The relics of St Therese are due to visit Scotland from August 30 to September 20 touring every diocese in the country.

On Thursday June 27 the Little Flower in Scotland Facebook page, set up to promote the visit of the relics, revealed the Icon, which was written by a group of single women living together in Christ at St Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen.

Worth exploring

Fr James Grant, national coordinator for the visit in Scotland and general secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, said: “When the relics visited England in 2009 an Icon was written and I felt as though it was something that was worth exploring.

“I was delighted when the community of St Andrew put themselves forward. They’ve done a great job.

“Hopefully the Icon will be gifted and go on display somewhere in the country following the visit of the relics to remind us of the Little Flower.”

Depiction

The Icon depicts St Thérèse of Liseux holding a Crucifix in one hand and a scroll in the other with a message saying: “There is only one thing to do here below, To love Jesus, To win souls for Him so that He may be loved.” The line is taken from a letter the saint wrote to her sister Celine.

A member of the St Andrew Community said: “There was a few of us in the community who decided to come together and create the Icon.

“We as a community have a particular devotion to St Thérèse and we were very happy to be involved.

“I find her simplicity inspiring and the way she makes holiness acceptable to everyone through that simplicity, that is very important, as well as her mission to pray for priests.

“Over the years we’ve prayed asking her for particular graces and she always answers us in her own way.

“St Thérèse suffered a lot during her short life and people can tend to forget that; it’s kind of hidden.

“I think the fact she is holding a Crucifix reminds us of Christ’s suffering and the way that Thérèse helped people and prayed for people who were suffering.”

Private consecration

The Community of St Andrew has been based in Aberdeen for six years and is currently privately consecrated.

During the summer months they spend most of their time in the community, particularly with teenagers, visiting them and their families or going on pilgrimage.

In winter they continue to run a weekly youth group, with much of their time devoted to adoration, studying, private prayer and iconography.

For more info visit: www.littleflowerinscotland.co.uk or www.fb.com/littleflowerinscotland