What Saint John Saw
From the Apostolic Letter Quod Ioannes on the beatification of Thérèse of Lisieux
Saint John saw, on the Mountains of Zion, the choir of Virgins who follow the Lamb wherever he goes, and he heard a very sweet Canticle that no one could repeat. This shows how much God esteems the flower of Virginity, which is that kind of life that conforms more to angelic nature than to human nature.
This life is precious above all; due to the grace of the Gospel, a great number of young girls have embraced it with zeal, following the August Virgin, Mother of God, who is rightly regarded as the Author of Virginal Beauty. They wear their white robes in the Church of God. They despise the fleeting delights and seductions of the world for the Celestial Goods, which do not pass away.
So we see, in the Catholic Church, the white lilies of the Virgins mingle with the purple roses of the Martyrs. Both form that splendid crown with which the Immaculate Spouse of Christ is adorned.
Now, in our time, there has stood out, in this choir of Virgins, THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS, professed nun, glory and ornament of the Order of Carmel, who, in a few years, has fulfilled a long race and raised the virginal candor which she had dedicated to the Divine Lamb, by the brilliance of the most beautiful virtues.
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On the happy day on which this year was celebrated the feast of the Holy Patriarch Joseph, Illustrious Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Patron of the Church, after having offered the Eucharistic Sacrifice, We have, in the presence of the same Bishop, Cardinal Antonio Vico, Relator of the Cause and Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, together with Our dear Sons Angelo Mariani, General Promoter of the Faith, and Alessandro Verde, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, decreed that we can, in complete safety, proceed to the solemn Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God, THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS.
This is why, moved by the prayers of the entire Order of Discalced Carmelites, by virtue of Our Apostolic Authority and these Letters, We permit the Venerable Servant of God, THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS, professed Religious of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, to be called BLESSED, and that her body and her relics be presented for the public veneration of the faithful, provided however that they are not carried in solemn supplications.
— Pius XI
Apostolic Letter Quod Ioannes (1923)
Note: This excerpt is drawn from the Apostolic Letter Quod Ioannes (1923), in which Pope Pius XI formally proclaimed Thérèse of Lisieux Blessed.
⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
What are the “goods that do not pass away” in your life?
⬦ Join the conversation in the comments.
Source reference
Archives du Carmel de Lisieux. Quod Ioannes: Litterae Apostolicae quibus Venerabilis Dei Famula Theresia a Iesu Infante… Beata renuntiatur. By Pius XI. April 29, 1923. Accessed April 29, 2026. https://archives.carmeldelisieux.fr/en/naissance-dune-sainte/la-beatification-et-la-canonisation/bref-de-la-beatification/
Featured image
A photograph of the Apostolic Brief of Pope Pius XI announcing the beatification of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux is set against a bright blue sky as white rose petals fall in a luminous shower.
Image credit: Discalced Carmelites (by permission); AI-generated background by Carmelite Quotes
The goods that do not pass away in my life are: Jesus, my best friend, Mary my Mother, St. Joseph, my protector, and my Guardian Angel.
Sometimes it's hard to see beyond our physical family and friends in this life.
But, must we do so to see our eternal reward?
Is it easy to see beyond our physical family and friends? I myself, can say no. Especially when I need them the most, through trials and tribulations.
I know Jesus gave them to us to help us with these things and more, but He gave Himself, His Mother, His Foster Father and our Guardian Angel 😇 to help even more so.
If only we look to them can we see the real goods of our lives. We can do this, if we ask our Lord for faith and trust. Our family and friends will be there to have our backs, but not in the same way, as the Holy Ones I mentioned.
Great insights too!