One Weekend to Watch them all!

The Lord of the Rings Movie Marathon Weekend at St. Therese Institute

One of my favorite traditions at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission is our annual Lord of the Rings movie marathon. Every year, over the course of a weekend, we watch all three Extended Edition films—nearly 12 hours of storytelling! It is a true marathon, and it is also one of the most communal and joy-filled weekends of the year: fellowship, towering creativity…and even encountering the King of the Universe through the story. 

The Epic Quest Begins

The weekend begins on Friday evening as we transform the gym into a “hobbit hole” of sorts, filled with couches and comfy chairs, blankets and pillows. The movie staples of popcorn and beverages sustain us as our STIFM Fellowship journeys with the Hobbits out of the Shire into the unknowns of the wilderness and on to Rivendale. Sam’s declaration, “This is it. If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been,” reminds us of our own Christian journeys (and for some, Bruno is the farthest way from home they’ve ever been). We watch as the Fellowship is formed and they begin their near impossible quest to destroy Sauron’s ring of power. 

Saturday introduces the first twist to keep our cinematic indulgence far from passive: Our traditional Lord of the Rings Snack Competition! Teams of St. Therese residents imagine and create Middle Earth-themed munchies for the second movie in the marathon. 

Unrestrained fantasy-driven creativity has resulted in many glorious…and gory-ous…and gooey-ous…culinary creations. This year’s fare easily met the excited expectations of the community. Bilbo’s hundred-and-eleventy birthday cake launched us into celebration. Lembas (biscults masquerading as elven waybread) and pints of beer (root beer floats) sustained us. The “dead marshes” were represented this year by sour patch kids in lime jello, with cake chunks and pretzel tree stumps protruding from the deadly green gelatinous goo. First prize went to Mount Doom, recreated from chocolate caramel bunt cake and erupting sour cherry lava all over the table. The Eye of Sauron made two appearances: once as devilled-eggs and once in hummus form. The Ents were there too, made of broccoli. 

A hungry Fellowship of St. Therese residents helped themselves to the copious spread as they took in the second part of the trilogy, The Two Towers.

On Sunday, the program continues to fire the imagination and foster creativity with a second twist: The Middle-earth Costume Party!

Days or weeks of planning and clandestine work pay off as our St. Therese residents parade into the lounge in full garb, amidst an electric atmosphere of thunderous claps and echoing cheers! Poor Bilbo would be so overwhelmed he would surely collapse, muttering “Struck by lightning! Struck by lightning!” as he did in the Hobbit, the prelude to the Lord of the Rings story.

Some costumes are evocatively simple; some are over-the-top fantastic! Hobbits seemed to be the theme for this year with many notable Hobbiton denizens venturing out to watch the Return of the King, our third and final movie in the marathon’s trilogy.

Other notable cameo appearances are made by Aragon & Arwen, Boramir, Theoden, and Gandalf. The malevolent Lidless Eye of Sauron appears once more, as well.

Tolkien: Author, Professor and Catholic Witness

The weekend is full of fun, food, and abundant creativity, but there is a deeper reason we return to this story year after year as well. Its creator, John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien (1892-1973), was a man of profound Catholic faith. He famously described The Lord of the Rings as a “fundamentally religious and Catholic work”. Tolkien’s faith was not an add-on; it was the “underlying matrix” through which he understood the world.

This is visible in the “sacramental” elements of his stories. For example, the Elven waybread, lembas, which “fed the will” and gave strength for the journey, is a image of the Eucharist.

Characters like Galadriel reflect Tolkien’s veneration of the Virgin Mary. Even the date the Ring is destroyed—March 25th—was chosen intentionally. In the ancient liturgical calendar, March 25th is the date of both the Annunciation (the Incarnation) and the Crucifixion, the two moments where light definitively overcame the darkness of our own world.

And Jesus’ threefold munera (Latin for “offices” or “missions”) are embodied in the three main characters of Tolkein’s story: Gandalf (The Prophet), the spiritual being made flesh who undergoes a literal death and resurrection to return with greater power; Frodo (The Priest), takes on the “sin” of the Ring and offers himself as a sacrificial victim for the salvation of many; and, Aragorn (The King), the hidden heir who returns to claim his throne, conquering death itself by walking the “Paths of the Dead” (cf. the Harrowing of Hell).

The “Little Way” of Middle-earth

At St. Therese, we find a special connection in the way Tolkien’s “little people” mirror the “Little Way” of our patroness. St. Thérèse of Lisieux taught that holiness is found not in grand, worldly achievements, but in the “nothingness” of small, hidden acts of love.

Frodo Baggins – the hero of the Lord of the Rings tale – is not a classical hero of hubris or self-confidence. He is a small, fearful hobbit who succeeds through “dogged obedience” to a call he did not choose. As Elrond famously says, “Such is of the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere”. This is the essence of the Little Way: recognizing our own weakness so that Divine Providence can work through us. Even when Frodo “fails” at the final hour, his previous acts of humble mercy allow Grace to complete the quest.

A Future Patron Saint of Mythology?

Because of his “heroic virtue” and the way his work has led so many back to the Church, there has been a growing movement for Tolkien’s canonization. In 2017, a significant step was taken when a special Mass for the opening of his cause was celebrated at the Oxford Oratory—the very church where Tolkien attended daily Mass. While the process is still in its early stages of advocacy, we may join the many members of the faithful who pray the official Prayer for his Beatification:

“O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having graced the Church with John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and for allowing the poetry of Your Creation, the mystery of the Passion of Your Son, and the symphony of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him and his subcreative imagination. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Wisdom of God Incarnate, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore… hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints. Amen.”

To Be Love in the Daily Grind

The Apostolic Internship at St. Therese Institute

God calls and inspires us in many different ways. One key way God calls to us at St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission is through our simple but daring mission statement: “To be the love at the heart of the Church for the conversion of the world.” It’s a mission inspired by our patroness, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who taught that holiness isn’t about doing extraordinary things, but about doing the smallest, most ordinary things with extraordinary love.

From the Greenhouse to the Field

For those in our Gap Year and Mission Year programs, this mission is germinated and nurtured in what Executive Director David Douglas calls a “curated reality—a spiritual ‘greenhouse’ of sorts” where students are protected and nurtured so the roots of their faith can grow strong. Buteventually, every plant must leave the greenhouse for the field. Being rootbound and boxed in isn’t an option for lives meant to be lived fully in Christ! One of the reasons that the Apostolic Internship program exists is to aid that transition. 

Now in its second successful year, the Apostolic Internship acts as the “in-between stage of care,” helping our graduates transition from the controlled environment of the formation programs into the unpredictable elements of the work world, giving them resume-worthy experience and leadership skills while continuing to encourage spiritual development. 

LOVE in Action

We often say the interns are the “junior staff” who keep the engine of St. Therese running, but it is more than that. They are taking the “Little Way” that they learned about during their years of formation and challenging themselves to apply this beautiful theological vision within the gears of our real operations. From the kitchen to the front office, from the laundry room to classroom, from the hidden internal document to the public external viral reel, their work provides the Institute with expanded capacity and a magnanimous witness – to others and (most importantly) to themselves – of what love in action can really do:

Miranda Willenborg, our Female Formation Intern, notes that this “behind-the-scenes” work is where the formation she received really gets used and honed:

“You take your formation and you get to the internship where you’re practically applying it every day—and sure you might mess that up, but you just kind of live it. I love being on the team… because that’s where my charisms lie.”

The true success of the program is what happens inside the interns. St. Thérèse once wrote that she wanted to find a “shortcut” to heaven through her little way of love. Our interns get a chance to seek that shortcut in the midst of their 9-to-5 workdays.

Joseph Côté, our Male Formation Intern, reflects on times when prepping classes or setting up for activities require working through the scheduled Eucharistic Adoration:

“What God has been really working on my heart is: ‘You can encounter Me through the ordinary and through the work just as much as you can there [in adoration].’ It’s an invitation from God being like, ‘Do you trust that I can encounter you and I can meet you in this place just as much as you could in adoration?’”

A Year of Growing Professional and Personal Fruit

The internship year is also a year of immense professional fruit. Our interns are gaining resume-quality experience that is opening doors before they even finish the program.

• Olivia Mase (Marketing): “I recently received a job offer from a University because of my work here at the Institute. It’s an exciting example of recognizing that my work here actually means something and it’s tangible life experience.”
• Rachelle Bentler (Reception): “This year has brought a lot of confidence in the gifts that I’ve been given… I can totally see this year really impacting the rest of my life because it’s really anchored me and given me direction.” Through skills and connections built in our front office, Rachelle has been offered an opportunity for reception/admin work within a professional health practice.

Daniel Berube, our Custodial intern, found that his practical background and keen attention to detail were a perfect fit for the custodial role St. Therese required. Through using and nurturing those gifts this year, he’s found new skills have blossomed: 

“I have a charism of hospitality, an attention for detail, and a background in carpentry. It’s quite amazing how well my skills and passions and charisms lined up with the position… This year has given me the communication skills and leadership skills to dive into whatever my next—both large ‘V’ vocation and career vocation.”

Ready for a Transplant?

As we look ahead to our third year of the program (2026–2027), we are inviting the next group of leaders to get their roots ready and move into the field.

• Current participants in the 2025-2026 STIFM programs: Applications have been open for two weeks, and many great candidates have already applied!
• Alumni (Gap Year 2025 or earlier, and Mission Year Alumni): Your turn is here. Applications for alumni will be accepted until mid-week. Your window closes Wednesday, Feb. 11.

Discernment is rarely a lightning bolt; more often, it is a quiet realization that the Lord has prepared a place specifically for your gifts. If you feel a tug toward participating in the daily operations of this mission, consider how the “Little Way” thrives in the soil of a generous “yes.”

Take a step of faith. Come do the ordinary work of a modern-day lay apostolate with extraordinary love.

Snow Forts and Hot Chocolate

A playful snow day

It takes more than a -18°C day to stop fun in Saskatchewan. Admittedly, the windchill did shorten our time outside, but our resident Gap Year, Mission Year, and Apostolic Internship participants didn’t let that stop our annual Snow Day—an afternoon and evening of “Little Way” joy, play, some classic winter comfort food, and most importantly, intentional community.

The Battle for the Forts

The afternoon kicked off with a high-stakes construction project. Participants spent thirty minutes harvesting massive ice chunks to build snow forts, which quickly became the front lines of what was described as an “all-out war.” Between the physical exertion and the strategic snow-lump barrages, the freezing temperatures were forgotten for a while.

Will Cornish, a Gap Year student, reflected on the importance of this shared intensity:

“It was great to do things with everyone, especially something physical with the other men—lots of activity, lots of tackling, just being able to get some pent-up aggressive energy out with the community. It was a highlight for me.”

The “Indoor Cabin” Experience

When the -33°C windchill finally forced a retreat, the fun didn’t stop; it just moved. The gym had been transformed into a “cabin” oasis, featuring couches, blankets, a digital fireplace on the projector screen, and plenty of hot chocolate. The afternoon was filled with board games and chatting on the cabin half of the gym, while round after round of pickleball kept people moving in the other half.

Jenna Regnier, currently in her Mission Year, noted how this shift in the pace of life was exactly what she needed:

“Today reminded me of when I was growing up in Ontario and we’d have a snow day: we’d get to skip school, and go outside and play. Then, my mom would always make us hot chocolate when we’d come back, and it was really warm and cosy. Today felt like a break from regular real life and let me just be a child again. It was fun to hang out with people and relive this, plus I got to eat bannock for the first time! I love Saskatchewan!”.

Fire, Rosaries and Dragons

As the sun began to dip, the community suited back up in their winter gear and gathered around a bonfire for a classic weiner roast. A special treat (and Jenna’s favorite part) was the pan-fried bannock served with jam. 

For Rachelle Bentler, an Apostolic Intern, the outdoor meal was a reminder of what it means to be a spiritual family:

“We have community night every Saturday night, but it was really good just to have a day where everyone could be together, welcoming and interacting with everyone—from the people you normally do things with, to those that you sometimes struggle with or don’t know well. It’s  a chance to break through that and do something together with everybody to create memories together. It felt like fruitful family-time and was very wholesome. 

A highlight for me was the bonfire supper. It was just so much fun. We had hot dogs together around the fire—I think it was the first time where I actually really enjoyed a hot dog, charred by the fire, so warm and delicious!”

Gap Year participant, Alyana Canda’s highlight of the day was the movie that night. After supper clean up and saying the Rosary in the chapel, it was back to the gym for a not-winter-themed flick, How to Train Your Dragon 2.

“It was just so much fun just being with the community, being on the couches that we’d moved into the gym, the nice warm lights, the bonding time, and laughing together at the movie. Normally we try to be quiet during movies (so that everyone can watch and listen without distractions), but this time we were so expressive!”

Why We Play: The Theology of Leisure

Leisure is not an “escape” from our spiritual lives, but a vital part of them. By stepping away from the regular daily routine, our participants are able to refresh themselves and return to their mission with renewed fervor. This is what St. Thomas Aquinas called the virtue of eutrapelia—the moderation and “rightness” in play. Aquinas taught that because the soul’s power is finite, it becomes weary through over-application. Just as the body requires physical rest, the soul requires the “rest” of play and mirth to return to its work with a clear mind.

We see this lived out beautifully in the life of St. John Paul II. Even during his busy papacy, he was known for slipping away to the mountains to ski. He understood that encountering the majesty of winter was a way to encounter the Creator. He once said:

“It is important for us to find moments of silence and reflection, but also of healthy recreation, which allows us to return to our daily duties with new energy.”

While our “mountains” in Bruno might be made of shoveled snow, the sentiment remains the same. Whether skiing down a mountain side, or roasting hot dogs over a bonfire on the Saskatchewan prairies and trying bannock for the first time, we find God in the joy of His creation.

The Epiphany Party

A lasting St. Therese tradition

Over the 18.5 years of St. Therese Institute of Faith and Mission, many traditions have developed within these walls. Some have spanned a few seasons, while others remained for years before retiring. But one of my favorite traditions has spanned our entire history: the arrival of the Three Kings bearing “Epiphany Gifts” for our community.

While I am always excited to receive my gift from the Kings, over the last ten years my favorite part of this tradition has been its popularity with our broader community. This past week, alumni have reached out, one after another from all the program year cohorts, with the same question: “Will you draw an Epiphany Gift for me this year?”

What is an Epiphany Gift? 

The roots of this tradition stretch back to the Madonna House community and its foundress, Catherine Doherty. Catherine taught that just as the Magi brought treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child, the Lord in His infinite generosity has a specific “spiritual treasure” intended for each of us to carry throughout the new year. Catherine shares details of this practice in her book, “Donkey Bells”.

In our St. Therese adaptation, someone dresses as one of the Three Kings and carries a treasure chest through the gathering. Inside are small slips of paper, each inscribed with a different virtue or word. With a prayer to the Holy Spirit, each person draws a slip. We trust that the chosen word is a “spiritual assignment”—a whisper from the Holy Spirit suggesting a pathway of grace to ponder in the months to come. 

Some years I’ll tell others what my word is. Some years I’ll keep it for pondering in private. The slip might say Patience, Love, or Tenderness. Or, it might say Suffering, Poverty, or Purification. Sometimes there is an immediate, meaningful connection; other times, I’m left wondering how on earth that grace will play out. While some words may feel daunting at first glance, God has always helped me see them as a little “star” to follow and a reminder to trust in His all-knowing, all-seeing guidance and providence.

This year, my word is Hope. I’m looking forward to it as a personal extension of the Church’s “Year of Hope” which was coming to a close just as I drew my word.

Witnesses to the Word 

I reached out to several alumni to see what these gifts have meant to them over the years (and I always love opportunities to reconnect with our alums). Their stories are a beautiful witness to how God works through a simple slip of paper.

• Sarah-Jane Bend (2014-2015): “The joy of receiving an Epiphany gift is always so tender and full of meaning—a quiet invitation from the Lord to notice where He is gently leading next. My very first word was Beatitudes. That was the year I entered the Church, and my classmate [Monica Matuszewska, now Sr. Gaudia Maria Magdalena] entered the Sisters of Life. In a beautiful mystery, we both married Jesus our Bridegroom—she through her vocation, and I through the Eucharist. Last year, my word was Charity, and it unfolded in ways I could never have planned: volunteering at Camp Attach and serving those in hospice care. This year, my word is Love; I look forward to watching that grace take flesh throughout 2026.”
• Dominique Skuban (2016-2019): “Usually I keep my word close, but last year I totally forgot about it! When I finally went back to look, the word was Presence. I realized that although I had forgotten, the Lord hadn’t. That word summed up my year perfectly; many times I found myself forgoing tasks I felt ‘needed’ to be done to instead spend time with those I love. It was a true grace.”
• André Fillion (2020-2023): “I received the word Experience. I thought it meant that after years of ministry and study, I would finally go home and ‘use’ my experience. Jim Anderson [Director of Formation] thought differently—that maybe this would be a year where I came to know Jesus personally and experientially. He was right. Through a year of much suffering, I truly came to know and love Jesus as a person who loves me.”
• Will Riley (2024-2025; my son, who has been around STIFM since he was a baby) “I was 11, I had been often arguing with my mom. We had had a big argument that Epiphany afternoon, and I was frustrated and she was ‘exhausted and grumpy’ as we left for the Epiphany party. After picking my gift, I went to her (‘looking sheepish,’ according to her) and said, ‘I said a prayer before I picked it. I got Obedience.’ I apologized to her for not listening to her as I should. But the real kicker was when she showed me her gift: Exhortation. God really knew what each of us needed!”
• Shayna Engleking (2015-2016): “This year, the word Love was pulled for me. It is something I really needed after one of the hardest years of my life, navigating the loss of my grandpa and mum. Also, I am moving back to Canada soon after living 23 months in New Zealand, leaving a community that I love and feels like home. So with lots of changes along with navigating grief, I feel Love is very fitting and a good reminder for the year ahead.”
• Gabriella Debusschere (2014-2015, 2018-2019): “My word last year was Love. While the love between my fiancé and I has grown, I believe the love God was gifting me was even deeper. For most of my life, I believed the lie that I was unlovable. By God’s grace, that wound has been healing. My fiancé’s reassurance reminds me that if a fallen human being can love me this much, then the perfect God, who sees the depths of my being, loves me so much more.”
• Janelle Ryan (2018-2020): “I received my epiphany gift last year while lying on the couch, exhausted and fighting a cold, a sinus infection, and a weary heart. Rest. I laughed out loud as soon as I saw it. It came at a time where multiple friends and family were telling me to slow down, to lessen my load, and to, well, rest. I knew they were right, and I wanted to do so, but I soon realized it was about more than slowing down the pace of my life externally. This last year, the Lord has invited me to rest in His presence. To discover what it means to truly dwell with him, in the quiet places of my spirit, and to have peace there, no matter what is going on externally. To be moved not by the world, but by His word. It has been a very fruitful gift, and one that I am, in many ways, still unwrapping.” 
• Ilianna Airey (2021-2024) “The Epiphany word I received in my second year at St. Therese was ‘suffering.’ The Lord took me on a beautiful and challenging journey of learning to understand what it means to truly take up our cross and follow Him. He taught me so much, and I am so grateful. I still draw on the graces I received during that year!”
• Katie Yamniuk (2009-2010, Staff 2010-2013): “I’ve found that I really only notice the gift at the end of the year. It’s exciting to wonder about it in January, but even better to look back in December and say, ‘Oh! That is what God meant!’ His plan is always better than what my logical brain tries to come up with.”

Would You Like a “Star,” too?

Although we are past Epiphany, we’re still in Epiphanytide! We’d love to include you in this tradition. Like the majority of our alumni, you don’t have to be in Bruno to receive your word for the year! We trust that the Lord wants to speak grace into your life—and the Epiphany Gift word can be that “star” to lead you closer to His heart in the months ahead. 

If you would like us to draw an Epiphany Gift for you or your family, drop us an email at epiphany[remove-this]gifts@sttherese.ca by January 31, 2026. Include the names of everyone you’d like gifts drawn for. We will draw a word from the treasure chest and reply with your gift. (please remove the obvious part from the email address than needs to go — it’s there to try reduce spam)

Once you receive your word, jot it down, tuck it into your Bible, or place it in your prayer corner. Like Katie mentioned above, you might be surprised by the “Oh! That’s what He meant!” moment waiting for you at the end of the year.

We can’t wait to hear how the Holy Spirit works in your life!

An Advent Who-Done-It Mystery

St. Therese Institute’s Version of the Secret Santa Tradition

The noise of excitement and anticipation grows in the St. Therese coffee lounge as people finish their after-supper chores and make their way into the room. Decorated for Christmas and with furniture reconfigured for seating in the round, the room is transformed into a festive courtroom. 

These past few weeks of Advent have included some sneaking, some scheming, some bribing accomplices, and some clandestine undercover work. It all culminates in tonight’s final ceremony of the “Advent Angel” game. Advent Angel is the St. Therese Institute version of Secret Santa. In tonight’s ceremony, witnesses will be called and have their chance to lay down accusations of “who-done-it” – an attempt to guess the person who has been secretly blessing them with small gifts these past weeks. 

With hot chocolate in hand, the chairs, couches, and cushions on the floor are claimed. The room falls to silence as director Nick Pierlot rises and, instead of banging a gavel on the desk, erects a single pointer finger – the St.Therese community’s signal for “may I have your attention.” Nick welcomes everyone, explains the proceedings, and draws attention to Exhibit A, the focal point of this assemblage: the Christmas tree with 36 presents arranged under it, each wrapped in mystery. The presents are the final gifts of this annual Advent game.

The reason we give gifts at all goes deeper than just having seasonal fun! From a Catholic perspective, our sneaky gift exchanges are a direct sequel to the very first Christmas gifts: the offerings brought by the Magi, whom we will commemorate soon at the feast of the Ephiphany. When the three Wise Men rolled up to Bethlehem in the camel caravan, their gifts weren’t random stocking stuffers; they were a profound revelation of Jesus’ identity! 

• Gold, the still-sought-after precious metal, said, “You are a King!” 
• Frankincense, an incense used in the temple, said, “You are a High Priest!” and also acknowledged Jesus as God.
• Myrrh, used in embalming, said, “But, you must sacrifice your life to accomplish your mission!” 

When we give a gift, even if it’s just a snack, or note, or a cozy pair of socks, we’re mimicking the Magi—offering our own small tribute to the image of the King of the Universe in that person we care for.

The absolute reason we give gifts, however, is because God gave first. I think of the celebration of Christmas as the time we receive the gift of Jesus through His birth. But there is a surprise party that starts the whole thing nine months earlier. God was with us in Mary’s womb for nine months before coming into the larger world at Christmas. So, the Feast of the Annunciation, on March 25, is our first celebration of God’s gift of Himself in Christ. The gift of this moment is so foundational for everything else in the Gospel, that the Church also invites us to commemorate the Annunciation every day of the year, in the words of the Angelus prayer. 

Add in holy historical heroes—like St. Nicholas, the original “secret Santa” who slyly slipped gifts of gold coins to a family whose daughters were at risk of being sold into slavery, and we see how richly inspired our tradition of gift-giving is. 

Consider, too, the adaptation of various other ancient and cultural practices that Christians have redeemed from their pagan roots, in our characteristically confidence that we can baptise anything good into the great story of divine love!

Through it all, our generosity with each other becomes more than a mere tradition. It becomes a consistent spirit of gratitude that redeems our whole lives. It is the very sanctifying spirit that molds us increasingly toward the likeness of our God, who is the ultimate Self-Giver. 

And that is why our Advent Angel revelation ceremony is so awesome! Those weeks of sneaking notes, dropping off tiny treats, and (hopefully) stealthily performing acts of service are all ‘little ways’ of entering into this much larger and very holy reality. 

Tonight, witnesses are called one by one to take the stand. They are given two chances to guess who their Advent Angel is. Maybe the culprit wasn’t as sneaky as he or she thought! Maybe too many clues were found and the jig is up! Their identity is guessed. 

More often, however, the deeds done went unobserved, and the two accused suspects plead innocence, satisfying the jury. Then the witness unwraps a gift that is designed to be a clue. A chorus of “Oh’s” and “Wows” erupts from both the gift opener and the assembly. One final guess is cast, and whether right or wrong, the perpetrating Advent Angel reveals him or herself to thunderous applause – and often to heartfelt hugs of gratitude. 

It’s a moment to cheer for the selfless and quiet love that was shown to you for weeks, just like God’s love was silently and humbly given to the whole world, wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. 

We wish you all a very blessed Advent and joyous Christmas. Thank you for the ways so many of you are gifts to this Catholic mission and to the ministries at St. Therese Institute!

Journey toward Glory with Mary

St. Therese Institute devotions for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Every Advent on December 8, the Church celebrates a singular moment in history: the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a day of joyful hymns. White vestments replace the normal purple of Advent. We declare that grace is stronger than sin. 

This solemnity holds deep significance our St. Therese Institute program participants because they have prepared for 33 days! Our Gap Year participants just completed the 33 Days to Morning Glory program, a journey that led them to consecrate themselves to Jesus through the hands of Mary His Mother. Residents who are here for a Mission Year completed consecration to the Sacred Heart. Staff members on the intern team even did a 33 day consecration to St. Joseph. 

To celebrate the culmination of this journey, the St. Therese Institute community gathered with the wider parish in the morning at the church of St. Bruno. We were joined by Sr. April Mireau of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary for a profound reflection before Mass. Fr. Pius Schroh offered a festal Mass that was made especially beautiful by a schola cantorum choir from St. Therese Institute, led by Rachelle Bentler, which sang all the proper and ordinary parts of the Mass a cappella. Finally, St. Therese Institute hosted a feast day brunch afterwards at our campus. The total experience was indeed glorious. 

So what is the idea of “consecration,” and why is it such a magnet for young hearts in 2025?

Consecration to Mary: The “Surest, Easiest, Shortest” Way to Holiness 

The spiritual practice of consecrating oneself to Jesus through Mary is not new. Its most famous architect was St. Louis de Montfort, a fiery 18th-century French missionary who wrote the classic text, True Devotion to Mary. De Montfort’s premise was simple but radical: Since God chose to come to us through Mary, the most perfect way for us to return to God is also through her. 

De Montfort famously described this path as the “surest, easiest, shortest, and the most perfect means” to becoming a saint. He argued that while we can certainly approach Jesus directly, our own human frailty can make the path stumbling and slow. When we go through Mary, we are carried. We give her our small, imperfect merits, and she purifies them, presenting them to Jesus with her own perfect love. 

For a 21st-century reader, though, de Montfort’s 300-year-old language can sometimes feel intimidating. Enter Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, and his transformative book, 33 Days to Morning Glory. Fr. Gaitley describes his program as a “do-it-yourself retreat” updated for the Third Millennium. He takes the core of de Montfort’s teaching but expands it through the lens of three other “Marian Giants” of the modern era: St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II. This 33-day immersion brings a deeper relationship with Jesus’ mother and a deeper understanding of Mary’s roles in salvation history and our own spiritual journeys. 

Sr. April Mireau: Living the Mysteries 

Sr. April, a Sister of the Presentation of Mary, radiates the charisms of her order: to follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary presenting herself for service in the temple, in a spirit of adoration and self-offering. The Sisters of the Presentation are also dedicated to the Christian education of youth. 

In a talk filled with personal stories about her journey with Mary, Sr. April invited us to posture our hearts to receive. She challenged us to see the Rosary as a reality we live. Rather than seeing the Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious mysteries as events that happened 2,000 years ago, our own lives can be a participation in these very mysteries. 

“We’re called not only to meditate on the mysteries of Jesus in the Rosary, but also to live them,” said Sr. April. “There will be times in our life that are ‘Joyful,’ times that are ‘Sorrowful,’ times that are ‘Luminous,’ and one day, by God’s grace, ‘Glorious.’ We’re called to enter in and live these mysteries of Christ. It will look different for each one of us, but we’ll all touch them.”  

Sr. April reminded us that by consecrating ourselves to Mary, we are asking her to be present in every mystery we live, just as she was present in the life of Christ. Alongside Mary and the rosary, “you can ask yourself: which mystery am I living today in the life of Christ?” 

She ended with a beautiful prayer reflection and a challenge to the St. Therese residents to find a single word that summarizes their personal relationship with the Blessed Mother. “What is my key word? How am I going to live out that consecration and renew it as I go?” For Sr. April herself, the word is “dependence”, a concept that was at the heart of many of the personal stories she shared.

Voices from the Gap Year: “I’m Going to Hold Your Hand” 

Mass followed Sr. April’s talk. The atmosphere after Mass shifted from solemn prayer to joyful celebration with a special brunch in a festively decorated dining hall. After brunch, I chatted with several of our Gap Year students to see how the “33 Day” journey had landed in their hearts. 

Elizabeth Pueschel saw the “33 Days” book as a practical tool. The readings prepared her to face the reality of spiritual life which isn’t a straight line. Elizabeth found comfort in the idea of consecration as a partnership for the long haul. 

“The whole journey up to consecration made me realize that consecration day is not a one-and-done thing. It was great preparation, not only for the consecration, but also for life after the consecration. It gave lots of foresight for how I want to respond when I encounter challenges in life – to offer it back to Mary. The consecration is basically me saying, ‘Yes, I’m going to hold your hand, and now we’re actually going to walk down a road together.’” 

It’s not about having a perfect map; it’s about having the right companion. 

Mikayla Klover, Daniel Côté and Gabriel Lazar shared a discussion on the communal aspects of the consecrations and solemnity. In an age of individualism, doing something this significant together made an impression. 

“Doing the consecration as a group was cool, instead of just doing it by ourselves. The entire experience together, the atmosphere, and the community unity stood out. The rest of the parish was also invited, which was lovely to witness and participate in. The Schola did the music, which was beautiful. We’re so blessed to have so many good voices,” Mikayla shared. 

Daniel noted how the men’s community banded together during the 33 day preparation to support each other through: “Doing it together was so much fun. It made it a lot easier for all of us to do it, because we could encourage each other. If someone was falling asleep, someone would be there to gently smack him in the back of the head, wake him up again, and keep going.” 

Gabriel’s family had consecrated themselves to Mary in the past, but this time for him was different. “Because we did it as a family, I was mostly just passively listening. In all honesty, I did fall asleep a few times each year. Reading it this year [for myself] helped me understand it better.” 

Finally, Olivia Wilson shared a vulnerable testimony from her “33 Days” program experience. She admitted that trusting God directly can sometimes feel overwhelming, but also noted that Mary offers a gentle, accessible way to approach the Divine. In response to Sr. April’s challenge to find a specific word, Olivia shared her choice: 

“The word was Surrender. That word comes to my mind when I think of Jesus and constantly trying to surrender myself and everything to Him, especially while struggling with trust in the Lord. I asked myself a question the other day because I was really struggling with my trust in God, thinking, ‘Hey, today, I just don’t trust God at all.’ A little voice in my head asked, ‘But do you trust Mary?’ and I realized, ‘Yes, I think I do trust Mary, actually.’” 

This realization changed Olivia’s prayer life, giving her new confidence to approach the Lord. 

“So, even if God seems daunting to me, His mother seems less daunting. I can always go to her with my worries, and she’ll still bring those to her Son and to God. Whenever I imagine myself bringing something to God, I now imagine holding Mary’s hand and approaching God. She’s there to comfort me and essentially says, ‘You’ve got this! You can just go up to him and tell him about it.’” 

Walking Forward in Morning Glory 

As the sun set on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the feeling on campus was one blessedness. Whether living a “Joyful” mystery of laughter in community or a “Sorrowful” mystery of personal struggle, these Gap Year participants all share a new confidence: they do not walk alone. They have consecrated their lives to a Mother who makes all things possible through grace. They walk with their hands in hers. She will not let go until they reach that full glory shared by all the saints.