Fulfillment of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Prayers
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.”
Embracing the Little Way: Keith’s Journey with St. Thérèse
The BFG (Built For God) Handbook reflects the principles of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Way” or “The Little Flower.” I am particularly inspired by her heartfelt desire to become a missionary in North Vietnam, the land of my birth and home to the Catholic Church, Phuong Duc, built by my great-grandparents.
St. Thérèse earnestly prayed for healing from her illness so she could travel to Vietnam. She was one of the first to volunteer in response to calls for more sisters to assist in missionary work, showcasing her eagerness to serve. This commitment is beautifully expressed in a letter she wrote to a French priest, illustrating her deep longing to spread the Gospel.
“This will perhaps surprise you; is it not a dream that a Carmelite think of leaving for Tonkin? Well, no, it is not a dream, and I can assure you that if Jesus does not soon come looking for me for the Carmel of Heaven, I shall one day leave for that of Hanoi, for now there is a Carmel in that city, the Saigon Carmel recently founded it.”
St. Thérèse also wrote about the missionary St. Théophane Vénard, who was beheaded in Tonkin, North Vietnam, in 1861. In her reflections, she expressed:
“I have read the lives of many missionaries. One I have read is the life of Théophane Vénard, which interested me and touched me more than I can say. I like Théophane Vénard even more than St. Louis de Gonzaga, because the life of Saint Louis de Gonzaga was extraordinary and Théophane Vénard’s was quite ordinary. . . . My soul is like his. He is the one who has best lived my way of spiritual childhood.”
It was not God’s will for St. Thérèse to spend her life in Vietnam as a missionary like St. Théophane Vénard; instead, her mission was to shower the world with roses from Heaven. In 1897, she passed away from tuberculosis at the young age of 24, and her last words were, “My God, I love You.” Pope Pius XI canonized St. Thérèse in 1925 and declared her the Patron Saint of Universal Missions in 1927. She is affectionately known as “The Little Way” or “The Little Flower” of Jesus Christ.
St. Thérèse’s special message, known as the “Way of Spiritual Childhood,” significantly influenced the Second Vatican Council, promoting a return to the Word of God. Through her quiet and simple life, she sparked a spiritual revolution that shifted the perception of God from one of fear and vengeance—rooted in Jansenism—to a God who embodies Love, Life, and Joy.
“I feel that my work is just beginning, my work of making people love God as I love Him, of giving my “Little Way” to other souls.” – St. Thérèse de Lisieux
Pope Pius X (1903-1914) referred to Sister Thérèse as “the greatest saint of modern times.” On June 2, 1980, Pope John Paul II emphasized her significance by stating, : “The `Little Way’ is the way of `Holy Childhood’. It is a way to confirm and renew the most fundamental and universal truth. After all, which of the Gospel’s truths is more fundamental and more universal than this, God is our Father and we are His children?”
Carmelite Father Marie Eugéne declared, “She, a little child, will teach the souls who will make up the army of the last days to give themselves over entirely to God’s mercy. We are at the start of her mission. The great works are still to come, and they will show her at last for what she really is, great among all the saints!”
Her trust in God offered hope to St. Faustina Kowalska during a severe illness, thought to be tuberculosis. In 1932, St. Faustina dreamed of St. Thérèse, who urged her to place her trust in the Lord, Jesus. Remarkably, three days later, she was healed. Today, St. Faustina’s spirit continues to thrive, guiding countless souls to experience and embrace God’s Love and Mercy.
I had no knowledge of St. Thérèse until my first meeting with Fr. Barry on October 1, 2019. Immediately after our conversation, as I walked down the building’s outdoor ramp, my cousin and I were enveloped by the scent of roses. We looked around but saw no roses in sight. At the time, I didn’t understand the significance of this miracle, but I later discovered that it occurred on St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s feast day, October 1. Later that month, when I met with Fr. Barry again, he mentioned that I reminded him of St. Faustina. I felt both humbled and honored, but I was unfamiliar with St. Faustina as well. Shortly after, I invited my family to watch a newly released movie about her at our local theater. After the film, I asked my kids for their thoughts, and they remarked that I was like St. Faustina. They recognized that the trust St. Faustina had in Jesus is the same kind of trust I aspire to, even when the narrow road is filled with uncertainties.
“Jesus, I trust in you.” – St. Faustina
Since 2007, I have faced numerous challenges while striving to complete the Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching, also known as the Built For God Handbook. My goal was to finish this project within five years and begin my mission of sharing it with the world. Unfortunately, this journey led to a financial crisis, an uncertain future, and declining health. My father often wondered why I remained so cheerful during these tough times. He once asked, “Why are you so happy? You’ve lost your status and wealth, you’re not focusing on your business, and you’re involved in activities that don’t support your family financially. People criticize your choices, you’ve lost their respect, and they ignore your requests for help.”
I replied, “The suffering you see is actually the joy I experience. I’ve grown more intimate with God, which has deepened my understanding of His sacrifice for us on the cross. The loss of God’s Son and the suffering that Jesus endured is far greater than any pain I could ever feel. As God’s children, we see the love He has for us through Jesus’s sacrifice. The closer I draw to Him, the more joy I find. So, the suffering you notice in my life reflects God’s goodness as He fulfills His promise in me. Please don’t worry about me; instead, pray for those who do not know God.”
“It’s true, I suffer a great deal–but do I suffer well? That is the question.” – St. Thérèse de Lisieux
However, I was concerned that my body might not withstand the long hours of work, which had taken a toll on my physical health. I confided in my wife that if anything were to happen to me, I wanted her to continue my mission to restore the Truth. Unfortunately, my fears became a reality. I had neglected my health for too long, ignoring the warning signs my body was sending. In 2019, I found myself in the ER, and just a few hours later, doctors rushed me into surgery.
After preparing me for the procedure, they discovered that my body was too weak, raising concerns about potential complications. As a result, the doctors decided to postpone the five-hour surgery until the next day. On May 29, 2019, while I was waiting for the operation, I received an unexpected call from my wife with a surprising message. This message came from a calendar she had gifted me on my birthday.
Max Lucado May 29 Calendar Message:
You’ll get through this waiting room season just fine.
Pay careful note, and you will detect
The most wonderful surprise. The doctor will step out
Of his office and take the seat next to yours.
“Just thought I’d keep you company while you are waiting.”
Not every physician will do that, but yours will
After all, he is the Great Physician.
After hearing those words, I felt God reassuring me that everything would be okay, much like how St. Thérèse spoke to St. Faustina in her dreams, urging her to trust in Jesus during her illness. Not only was my health fully restored, but the business I had temporarily stepped away from to complete the Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching was miraculously recovered beyond my expectations.
Throughout my journey, I discovered that my great-great-grandfather, Hoang Lenh Thu, died a martyr for the Faith. Following his martyrdom, my great-grandfather and grandmother, Riem, built the Catholic Church, Phuong Duc, in North Vietnam. Could it be that my mission is to fulfill St. Thérèse’s prayers for North Vietnam?
“When I die, I will send down a shower of roses from the heavens, I will spend my heaven by doing good on earth.” – St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Today, I am joined by Bishop Kevin W. Vann, Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, Fr. Michael Barry, Fr. Bao Thai, Fr. Michael Khong, and my wife, Tracy, in our mission to restore the Truth of our Faith through St. Thérèse’s Little Way—a path open to everyone. We believe that true Wisdom is found only in this Truth, which we share in the BFG Handbook. Our goal is to cultivate meaningful dialogue that transcends rules, regulations, and religious or political differences, revealing core principles that embody a universal truth. This shared language is accessible and empowers people to lead fulfilling lives. By integrating moral and cultural truths relevant to today’s society, we aim to renew our spirits and rediscover the beauty, goodness, and Truth of our Faith.
“I can nourish myself on nothing but truth” – St Thérèse of Lisieux
The Truth in the Bible can often seem unfamiliar to non-Christians, so we must seek ways to express a simple, universally good way of living that is not framed as rules or laws. As Luke 6:31 reminds us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Everyone, whether Christian or non-Christian, has their own understanding of Truth, and imposing our beliefs can lead to resistance. Even practicing Catholics may struggle with rigid laws. At the heart of the law is love for one another; God understands the human heart. When God cleanses a heart, He makes no distinctions. Therefore, it is unjust to place our own interpretations onto others. Instead of using laws to burden non-Christians, Christians should aim to communicate our differences through a universal Truth that is simple and easy to understand.
The BFG Handbook serves as a solution for fostering healthy relationships between diverse cultures and faiths by communicating a universal truth. St. Thérèse de Lisieux exemplifies this understanding, emphasizing that while rules and laws can be easily rejected, friendships are harder to abandon, making dialogue possible. This approach offers a simpler way to discover the fundamental truths of our faith in today’s world, embodying the principles of St. Thérèse’s “Little Way.”
“The Little Way” is accessible to everyone; it is not reserved for the elite or sophisticated methods of reaching Heaven. Instead, it represents a modern interpretation of God’s Word, guiding a demoralized society back to the Gospel. St. Thérèse’s journey to sainthood offers comfort and inspiration to many facing emotional or spiritual crises, as she has promised to intercede for us “to the end of time.” Her approach is straightforward and available to all, requiring no formal theological training, which led to her recognition as a Doctor of the Church by St. John Paul II in 1997.
St. Thérèse sought to simplify our relationship with Faith, emphasizing that it isn’t about complex theology or eloquent prayers but rather about finding an alternative, more accessible path to God. The BFG Handbook embodies these principles, aiming to restore the truth of our faith. This represents a vital call from the Church to build God’s army of saints for the New Evangelization. As Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, co-author of the BFG Handbook, states, “It is not a different gospel, but a presentation of the gospel that is new through its ardor, through its methods, and through its expression.”
The truth revealed in the Built For God Handbook will help us recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit, making evangelization possible. This serves as a crucial call from the Church to build God’s army of saints for a New Evangelization.
“God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.” – St. Thérèse de Lisieux
Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching, BFG Handbook
“This book is a personal journey to the spiritual common ground between East and West – an important quest for humanity, and a worthy goal for all of us.” – Derek Lin, Award-Winning, Bestselling Author in the Tao Genre.
St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Pray For Us!