One Rose 2015

Community: Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

"After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses." -St. Therese of Liseaux

During these months of autumn, we celebrate some of the most beloved saints of the Church. The beginning of October in particular is packed with feast days, including St. Francis, St. Faustina, and St. Teresa of Avila. On October 1st (just around the corner!), we commemorate St. Therese of Liseaux, also known as The Little Flower.

The Imagine Sisters Movement, an online organization that aims to inspire women to consider a religious vocation, has created a special initiative to celebrate St. Therese's feast day. The One Rose Invitation is an Imagine Sisters tradition that takes place each year on October 1st.

Inspired by the symbolism of roses associated with St. Therese, the One Rose is an opportunity for those who want to help promote a culture of religious vocations. In the days leading up to October 1st, you are invited to prayerfully reflect on the young women in your life, and to ask yourself, "Would my friend/roommate/daughter/sister/member of my parish/co-worker make a good religious sister? Do the qualities I see in her make me think she might have a religious vocation?"

If you think that a young woman in your life might be called to a religious vocation, present her with a rose on October 1st. Let her know that you see in her the qualities of a Bride of Christ. Explain the meaning of your gift in person, or by accompanying it with a card or note. You can use this pre-designed note from Imagine Sisters if you wish!

Of course, only God can call a young woman to a religious vocation -- her friends and relatives can't decide this for her, no matter how much they may think she would make a wonderful religious sister. So, if you receive a rose this October 1st, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a vocation to religious life. However, receiving a rose may invite a young woman to reflect, perhaps for the first time, on the possibility that God might be calling her to explore a religious vocation.

Do you know a young woman who is already discerning the call to religious life? Giving her a rose on October 1st will encourage her in her discernment, and let her know that she is supported and that you are cheering her on!

Read more about the fruits of the One Rose Invitation here.

This October 1st, present a young woman with a single rose. Pray. Invite. Encourage. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation.

Because one sister can change the world.

Photo credit: imaginesisters.org