“The Little Way” of evangelizing the world

On Sept. 30, Father Peter Shults, O.S.B., led the first retreat in the fall series of the Days of Reflection at Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee. The theme addressed the teachings of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a French Carmelite nun (1873-1897) also known as “Little Flower,” and her “little way” of living a joyful life of humility and charity through simple everyday actions done with great love. The Day of Reflection coincided with the 126th anniversary of her death. 

Father Peter discussed three main topics: evangelization through the Little Way of Saint Thérèse, the meaning of love for the hurting world and the Eucharist as a prerequisite making the “little way” an effective method in Christian evangelization. 

He opened the day stating that all Catholics are called to evangelization in their personal and professional environments, by the virtue of their baptism and belief in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15, Matt 9:37-39). 

He further explained the “little way” of Saint Thérèse as the most effective and most accessible way of evangelizing the world.

“The ‘little way’ is a simple approach to the spiritual life that seeks to do ordinary things with extraordinary love. It consists not in seeking grand sacrifices to God, but in little acts of holiness,” he said.  

Depicting the uniqueness of the “little way” in the secular world, he elaborated that people can’t tune out the “little way” because it is action, not just empty words and by this they recognize that it is real.

He continued to unfold the distinct aspects of the “little way,” and said, “The best way to reach people with the message of Christ’s love and humility is to become little oneself because in the noisy and prideful world exactly this littleness (and wanting to remain unnoticed) will be ultimately noticed by others.”

Father Peter pointed to the cross that teaches genuine and perfect love, and naturally leads to evangelization. 

“Evangelization is all about love … and love is the key ingredient to practicing the ‘little way’ in everyday life,” Father Shults said.

The participants openly shared their personal experiences of practicing the “little way.” 

Sivani Page, from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Chandler, and OCIA candidate, said, “I am really inspired by the message of Saint Thérèse. It so much resonates with me because she teaches us to love in all situations. All things in our lives can be done with love. As Christians we are living witnesses of Christ. This realization can be intimidating at times, but when we apply the ‘little way’ and trust in Jesus, we are reminded to be like the first apostles and to spread Christ’s great love in the Church and the world.” 

Darby Heard from Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman has been devoted to Saint Thérèse for many years.

“I actively strive to live the ‘little way’ and to find opportunities to practice love in small ways every day, particularly in the mundane tasks that can tax my patience,” Heard said. 

She spoke about the fruits of practicing the “little way” in her life.

“The ‘little way’ forms the abandonment to and trust in the Lord. It gives us disposition to see God in small things. Whereas the world looks for big things, God’s voice is a whisper in the small actions we undertake.”

Father Peter emphasized the effectiveness and ripple effects of Saint Thérèse’s approach in the works of evangelization.

He said, “… it is like a pebble thrown into the pond; the rings on the surface disperse and go on and on, and that’s why the ‘little way’ is so effective, it is more effective than standing on the street and preaching with words.”

He further stressed that the only possibility to be successful with practicing the “little way” and effective in evangelizing the world is to be nourished by the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Through the power of the Eucharist, Catholic evangelization becomes a fire that ignites the world because it is based on Christ’s sacrificial love.

Concluding the Day of Reflection, Father Peter encouraged the participants, “Search for opportunities and demands of love. The smaller the opportunity for love, the better. This is the power of the ‘little way’!”

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Photo Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic