All Saints: ⛪ Saint Jean-Théophane Vénard: The Joyful Martyr Who Inspired a Saint

Feast Day: November 6 (February 2 - date of martyrdom)

"My Favorite Saint and Martyr"

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, called Théophane Vénard "my favorite saint and martyr" and kept his picture in her prayer book. She wrote a poem to him and said of him:

"I like Théophane Vénard even more than Saint 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."

What kind of man could so profoundly inspire one of the greatest saints of modern times? The answer lies in a joyful, tender-hearted French missionary who faced martyrdom at age 31 with such cheerfulness, love, and courage that his letters from prison continue to move hearts more than 160 years later.

A Happy Childhood in Rural France

Born to a Schoolmaster's Family

On November 21, 1829, Jean-Théophane Vénard was born in the small village of Saint-Loup-sur-Thouet in the Diocese of Poitiers, France. He was one of six children born to the local schoolmaster and his devout wife.

The Vénard household was characterized by:

Deep Catholic faith
Love of learning (thanks to their father's profession)
Strong family bonds
Simple country life

A Lively, Joyful Boy

Young Théophane was not a somber, withdrawn child. Quite the opposite! He was lively, joyful, and sincere—the kind of boy who delighted everyone who knew him. He loved his family deeply and showed it openly.

His happy, outgoing personality would remain with him throughout his life, even in the darkest moments of persecution and imprisonment. This natural cheerfulness, transformed by grace, became one of his most distinctive spiritual characteristics.

Tending Goats and Dreaming of Martyrdom

From the time Théophane was nine years old, tending goats on his father's farm, he had one great dream: to go to Tonkin (Vietnam) as a missionary.

What planted this extraordinary desire in such a young heart?

The answer lies in a book.

The Story That Changed Everything

As a boy, Théophane loved to read the lives and adventures of the martyrs with great enthusiasm. One story in particular captured his imagination and his heart: the martyrdom of Jean-Charles Cornay, a French missionary priest who had been tortured and martyred in Vietnam in 1837.

Father Cornay's story was not ancient history—it had happened less than a decade before Théophane was born. It was fresh, vivid, and real.

Young Théophane read and re-read the account of Father Cornay's courage, faith, and ultimate sacrifice. He longed—with all the passion of a young boy's heart—to join Father Cornay's company and shed his blood for Christ in the mission fields of Vietnam.

This was not a passing childhood fancy. It was a vocation that would shape the rest of his life.

Education and Formation

Early Studies

Théophane first learned the basics of Latin from his local parish priest—a common practice in rural France at the time. The priest recognized the boy's intelligence, piety, and sense of vocation.

In 1841, at age 12, Théophane entered the College of Doué-la-Fontaine to continue his education. He would later study at:

Montmorillon
Poitiers

Throughout his academic years, Théophane excelled not only in his studies but in virtue. His classmates and teachers recognized in him a special combination of intellectual ability, genuine piety, and infectious joy.

The Paris Seminary for Foreign Missions

At age 18, Théophane began his seminary training. His dream of becoming a missionary had not faded—if anything, it had intensified.

In 1851, as a sub-deacon, Théophane entered the Paris Seminary for Foreign Missions (Missions Étrangères de Paris). This was the seminary that prepared priests specifically for missionary work in Asia—particularly in regions where Christianity was forbidden and persecution was intense.

His family was deeply pained by his decision. The Paris Foreign Mission Society had earned a grim nickname: "a factory for martyrs." Parents who watched their sons enter this seminary knew they might never see them again. Many of these young priests would die violently in foreign lands, far from home and family.

But Théophane's vocation was clear, and his family, though heartbroken, supported his calling.

Ordination to the Priesthood

On June 5, 1852, at the remarkably young age of 22, Jean-Théophane Vénard was ordained to the priesthood.

Just over three months later, on September 19, 1852, he departed from Paris for the Far East, leaving his beloved family behind forever.

The journey would be long, dangerous, and one-way.

The Journey to the Mission Field

A Perilous Voyage

Father Théophane left Paris and traveled to Antwerp, Belgium, where he boarded a vessel bound for Asia.

The journey did not go smoothly. A heavy gale drove the ship into Plymouth, England, where it was forced to take refuge and make repairs. After some delay, the ship finally sailed on October 10, bound for Singapore.

After months at sea, the vessel arrived at Singapore on New Year's Day, 1853—a fitting beginning to what would be a new life in a new world.

Hong Kong: Language Study and Preparation

From Singapore, Father Théophane was sent to Hong Kong, where he spent fifteen months studying the Chinese language and preparing for missionary work.

Learning Chinese was extraordinarily difficult for a young French priest, but Théophane applied himself diligently. He knew that without the language, he could not effectively serve the people God had called him to reach.

During this time of study and waiting, Théophane's longing for the mission field intensified. He was eager to begin the work for which he had sacrificed everything.

Assignment to West Tonkin (Northern Vietnam)

In 1854, a providential change in plans resulted in Father Théophane being sent to assist Bishop Pierre-André Retord at his mission in West Tonkin—the northern region of what is now modern-day Vietnam.

This was it. After years of preparation, study, and longing, Théophane was finally going to the place he had dreamed of since he was nine years old.

The young priest's joy must have been immense.

But so, too, would be the trials that awaited him.

Ministry Under Persecution

A New Royal Edict Against Christians

Father Théophane arrived in West Tonkin at a time of intense and escalating persecution.

Emperor Tự Đức (who had succeeded the cruel emperor Minh-Menh) was a fanatical enemy of Christianity. Shortly before Father Théophane's arrival, a new royal edict had been issued against Christians, ordering the arrest and execution of all foreign priests and the suppression of the Catholic faith.

Bishops and priests were forced to flee their churches and seek refuge in:

Caves
Dense forests
Hidden rooms in the homes of faithful Catholics
The mountains

The Church in Vietnam had gone completely underground.

The Hidden Ministry

For nearly six years (1854-1860), Father Théophane exercised his priestly ministry in secret, mostly at night.

Despite his naturally delicate constitution and frequent illness, he:

Said Mass in hidden locations
Heard confessions in the darkness
Baptized infants in secret
Brought the Eucharist to the sick and dying
Catechized new converts
Strengthened the faith of those who were wavering under persecution

His bishop, Bishop Retord, wrote:

"Though in chains, he is as gay as a little bird."

This cheerfulness in the midst of hardship was remarkable. While other men might have become bitter, fearful, or discouraged, Father Théophane remained joyful—a living sign of the joy that Christ gives even in the darkest circumstances.

Living in Hiding: The Cramped Cave

At one point, Father Théophane wrote to a friend describing his living conditions:

"Three missionaries, one of whom is a bishop, lying side by side, day and night, in a space a yard-and-a-half square, getting a dim light from three holes the size of a little finger, made in the mud wall, which a poor old woman conceals with some sticks thrown down outside."

Imagine: three grown men living in a space less than five feet square, unable to stand, barely able to see, completely dependent on an elderly woman to hide their presence and bring them food.

For years, this was Father Théophane's daily reality.

Yet in his letters home, he never complained. Instead, he wrote of the privilege of suffering for Christ and the joy of serving his beloved Vietnamese Catholics.

The Suffering and the Sweetness

Father Théophane's health had never been robust. The climate of Vietnam, the poor living conditions, the constant hiding, and the physical hardships took a severe toll on his body.

He suffered from:

Recurring fevers
Malaria
Exhaustion
The effects of malnutrition
The psychological strain of constant danger

Yet he also experienced profound spiritual consolations. He wrote of the sweetness of celebrating Mass in secret, of the deep faith of his Vietnamese converts, of the privilege of bringing Christ to those who hungered for him.

The persecution, he believed, was purifying the Vietnamese Church, separating the wheat from the chaff and creating a community of truly committed believers.

Betrayal and Arrest

The Intensification of Persecution (1859-1860)

In 1859, the persecution intensified dramatically. The emperor, furious that Christianity continued to spread despite his edicts, ordered a systematic hunt for foreign missionaries.

Large rewards were offered for information leading to the capture of priests. Torture was used to extract information from suspected Catholics. Whole villages were punished if they were found to be harboring priests.

Father Théophane was forced to move from hiding place to hiding place, never staying long in one location. The stress and danger were constant.

The Betrayal

On November 30, 1860, after nearly six years of successful hidden ministry, Father Théophane was betrayed.

The person who handed him over to the authorities was not a pagan enemy but an ostensible parishioner—someone who claimed to be Catholic but who either coveted the reward money or cracked under pressure from the authorities.

This betrayal must have been a profound spiritual suffering for the young priest. Like Christ, he was handed over by one of his own.

Father Théophane was arrested and taken first to the city of Phủ Lý, then to the prefecture in Hanoi, where he would await trial and sentencing.

Trial and Imprisonment

The Crime of Being Christian

Father Théophane's "trial" was a formality. The outcome was never in doubt.

He was charged with the crime of being a Christian priest—specifically, a foreign missionary spreading a forbidden religion.

Under Vietnamese law at that time, this crime carried an automatic death sentence.

Given the Chance to Deny Christ

During his interrogation, Father Théophane was given multiple opportunities to save his life. All he had to do was:

Deny Christ
Renounce his priesthood
Trample on a crucifix (a common test used by persecutors)

His refusal was cheerful but absolute.

He would not—could not—deny the Lord who had given him everything. He would not betray the Vietnamese Catholics who had risked their own lives to shelter him and receive the sacraments from him.

The sentence was pronounced: death by beheading.

The Cage: A Prison Like No Other

After his sentencing, Father Théophane was not placed in a conventional prison cell. Instead, he was locked in a wooden cage—a small enclosure that allowed him to sit but not stand, move, or lie down comfortably.

He would remain in this cage for two months, from late November 1860 until his execution on February 2, 1861.

For most men, such an experience would have been pure torture—physical, psychological, and spiritual. The cramped space, the inability to move, the public humiliation, the constant awareness of approaching death—all of it would have been unbearable.

But Father Théophane transformed his cage into a chapel.

The Letters from the Cage: A Testament of Joy

Writing to Those He Loved

During his two months in the cage, Father Théophane wrote a series of letters to his family in France—his father, his brother Eusebius (who would become a priest), and his sister Melanie (who had entered religious life at Amiens).

These letters are among the most beautiful and moving documents in the entire history of Christian martyrdom.

They reveal:

Profound peace in the face of death
Radiant joy despite physical suffering
Tender love for his family
Complete trust in God's providence
Concern for his executioners and guards
Anticipation of heaven

The letters contain no bitterness, no fear, no regret, no second-guessing of his vocation. They are filled instead with gratitude, love, and joy.

The "Little Flower" Letter

The most famous of Father Théophane's letters is the one he wrote to his father. In it, he used an image that would later profoundly influence Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and inspire her to call herself "the Little Flower of Jesus."

Father Théophane wrote:

"A slight sabre-cut will separate my head from my body, like the spring flower which the Master of the garden gathers for His pleasure. We are all flowers planted on this earth, which God plucks in His own good time: some a little sooner, some a little later... Father and son may we meet in Paradise. I, poor little moth, go first. Adieu."

This beautiful image—of human lives as flowers that God gathers when he chooses—captures the essence of Father Théophane's spirituality:

Life is a gift from God
Death is not tragedy but homecoming
We do not control the timing of our "plucking"
God gathers us for his pleasure, not as punishment
We will meet again in Paradise

When Thérèse of Lisieux read these words years later, they touched her heart so deeply that she adopted the flower image as central to her own spirituality. Father Théophane had given her—and through her, the whole Church—a profound theological image wrapped in tender simplicity.

Concern for His Executioners

In another remarkable detail, Father Théophane wrote about his conversations with his guards and his executioner.

Rather than treating them as enemies, he:

Asked about their families
Shared memories of his own family life
Spoke with them about their sorrows
Showed genuine interest in their lives

His captors grew to love him. Often, they would let him out of the cage to walk about the camp and pray the rosary. They allowed him to hear the confessions of fellow prisoners.

Some sources indicate that several of his guards may have secretly converted to Christianity because of his witness.

The Executioner's Request

Father Théophane's executioner was particularly struck by the young priest's kindness and joy. The executioner's "payment" for his work was to keep the clothes of those he executed.

Knowing this, the executioner approached Father Théophane with an unusual request: Would the priest take off his clothes before the execution so that they wouldn't be soiled with blood? And would he give the executioner something extra to make the beheading swift and painless?

Father Théophane's response was extraordinary:

"The longer it lasts, the better it will be."

He was not being masochistic or seeking suffering for its own sake. Rather, he wanted every possible moment to unite his suffering with Christ's, to offer his pain for the salvation of souls, and to give glory to God.

This is the spirituality of the martyrs: not running toward suffering, but embracing it when it comes as an opportunity for love.

The Day of Martyrdom: February 2, 1861

The Procession to the Execution Ground

On February 2, 1861—the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)—Father Théophane was taken from his cage and led to the execution ground at Ô Cau Giay, just outside Hanoi.

As he walked to his death, Father Théophane:

Chanted psalms and hymns
Prayed aloud
Showed no fear
Maintained his characteristic cheerfulness

Witnesses reported that he walked calmly, joyfully, almost as if he were going to a wedding feast rather than an execution.

In a profound sense, he was going to a wedding—the eternal marriage feast of the Lamb.

The Beheading

Father Théophane knelt and bowed his head.

With a single stroke of the executioner's saber, his head was severed from his body.

He was 31 years old—the same age at which Christ had died.

He had been a priest for less than nine years, and a missionary in Vietnam for less than seven years.

But in that short time, he had:

Strengthened thousands of Vietnamese Catholics
Baptized countless converts
Suffered joyfully for Christ
Given witness that would inspire missionaries for generations
Died a martyr's death

His Head on a Pole

According to the custom of the time, Father Théophane's severed head was placed on top of a pole and displayed publicly as a warning to other Christians.

The message was clear: "This is what happens to those who follow the foreign religion."

But the effect was the opposite of what the persecutors intended. Instead of terrifying Christians into apostasy, the sight of the young priest's head only strengthened their resolve. They saw in him a hero, a saint, a brother who had gone before them on the path to glory.

The Recovery of His Relics

After some time, faithful Vietnamese Catholics managed to secretly recover Father Théophane's head. They preserved it as a precious relic and passed it down through generations of Vietnamese Catholics.

To this day, his head is venerated in Vietnam as a sign of the faith's triumph over persecution.

His body, meanwhile, was eventually returned to France and now rests in the crypt at the motherhouse of the Paris Foreign Mission Society in Paris, where missionaries continue to be formed and sent out.

The Impact of His Letters

A Book That Changed Lives

After Father Théophane's martyrdom, his brother Eusebius (now a priest himself) collected all of Théophane's letters—especially those written from the cage—and published them.

The book, titled Vie et Correspondance de J. Théophane Vénard (Life and Correspondence of J. Théophane Vénard), was published in Poitiers in 1865.

It became an immediate sensation.

Inspiring a Generation of Missionaries

Most Reverend James Anthony Walsh, co-founder of the Maryknoll Missionary Society, wrote a biography of Father Théophane called A Modern Martyr. In the first chapter, he recounts:

"Théophane's letters, read to the students at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts, kindled the spark that grew into a flame and started a movement which in time brought about the missionary order of Maryknoll."

Think of that: A young French priest's letters from a cage in Vietnam, read to seminarians in Massachusetts, directly inspired the founding of one of America's most important missionary societies!

Countless other priests and religious—from America, Europe, Asia, and beyond—have testified that reading Father Théophane's letters confirmed their own missionary vocations.

The Favorite Saint of Saint Thérèse

Perhaps no one was more profoundly influenced by Father Théophane than Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Thérèse discovered Father Théophane's story (he was not yet even beatified at the time) and was captivated. She kept his picture in her prayer book. She wrote a poem to him. She called him "my favorite saint and martyr."

What drew her to him?

She explained:

"I like Théophane Vénard even more than Saint 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."

Thérèse, who was naturally shy and melancholic, found in Théophane a model of how to transform one's natural temperament through grace. She saw in him how to be joyful, serene, and peaceful even in suffering.

She adopted his "flower" image and became "the Little Flower."

She took his words as her own:

"I do not rely on my own strength, but on the strength of Him who defeated the power of Hell and of the world through the Cross."

When Pope St. John Paul II canonized Father Théophane in 1988, one can imagine Saint Thérèse rejoicing in heaven, delighting in her "dear brother" finally being recognized by the universal Church!

The Road to Canonization

The Cause Begins

The cause for Father Théophane's beatification was introduced at Rome in 1879—just 18 years after his martyrdom.

His reputation for holiness was immediate and widespread. His letters had moved thousands. His death had inspired countless missionaries. The Vietnamese Church venerated him as a hero and intercessor.

Beatification: May 2, 1909

On May 2, 1909, Pope Pius X declared Jean-Théophane Vénard Blessed, along with 33 other Catholic martyrs, most of whom were natives of Tonkin, Cochin-China, or China.

The beatification ceremony brought a large delegation from France, including:

The Bishop of Poitiers
The martyr's only surviving brother, Canon Eusebius Vénard
Representatives from the Paris Foreign Mission Society
Hundreds of faithful who had been moved by his letters

Canonization: June 19, 1988

On June 19, 1988, Pope St. John Paul II canonized Blessed Théophane Vénard along with 19 other Vietnamese martyrs.

This canonization was particularly significant because it:

Honored the Vietnamese Church's long history of persecution and faithfulness
Recognized both foreign missionaries and native Vietnamese martyrs together
Came at a time when Vietnam was still under communist rule and the Church still suffered
Gave the persecuted Church in Vietnam new heavenly intercessors and models

The canonization took place during a time when the wounds of the Vietnam War were still fresh in American memory, and when the Church in Vietnam continued to face restrictions and persecution.

Saint Théophane became not just a martyr of the past, but a patron and protector of the Church in Vietnam today.

Spiritual Legacy and Lessons

The Joy of the Martyrs

The most striking characteristic of Saint Théophane's life and death was his radiant joy.

He shows us that:

Authentic Christian joy is not dependent on circumstances
Suffering does not have to destroy our peace
We can face death with confidence because Christ has conquered it
The Cross is not the end of the story—Resurrection follows

His bishop said of him: "Though in chains, he is as gay as a little bird."

This is not natural stoicism or psychological denial. This is supernatural grace transforming natural suffering into supernatural joy.

The Power of Ordinary Holiness

Saint Thérèse was drawn to Théophane precisely because his life was "quite ordinary."

He was not:

A great theologian
A visionary
A mystic with extraordinary experiences
A reformer who changed structures
A brilliant scholar

He was simply:

A faithful priest
A loving son and brother
A cheerful companion
A courageous missionary
A joyful martyr

His holiness consisted in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well, with great love.

This is the "little way" that Thérèse would later articulate—and Théophane was one of her primary models.

Love for Family is Compatible with Missionary Vocation

Some people imagine that missionaries must be cold, detached people who care nothing for their families. Saint Théophane proves the opposite.

His letters overflow with:

Tender affection for his father
Deep concern for his siblings
Nostalgia for home
Gratitude for his upbringing
Love for the family he would never see again

Yet this love did not prevent him from following God's call. It sanctified his vocation and made his sacrifice more complete.

We can love our families deeply AND follow radical vocations. The two are not opposed—they enrich each other.

The Evangelization of Persecutors

Saint Théophane's kindness to his guards and executioner shows us a profound truth:

Our persecutors are potential converts.

He did not view his captors as enemies to be hated, but as souls to be loved and won for Christ. He spoke to them about their families, showed interest in their lives, and treated them with genuine compassion.

The result? Many of them came to love him. Some may have even converted.

This is the way of Christ, who from the cross prayed: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

"The Longer It Lasts, the Better"

Father Théophane's response to his executioner—"The longer it lasts, the better it will be"—reveals a profound spirituality of redemptive suffering.

He understood that:

Suffering united with Christ has infinite value
Every moment of pain can be offered for the salvation of souls
Quick, painless death is not necessarily better than prolonged suffering
Love transforms suffering from tragedy into gift

This is not masochism. It is love—the same love that kept Christ on the cross when he could have called legions of angels to save him.

The Flower Image

The image of human lives as flowers that God plucks has become one of the most beloved in Catholic spirituality, thanks to Saint Théophane and Saint Thérèse.

It reminds us that:

God is the Master Gardener who owns the garden
Each life is beautiful and precious to him
He alone knows when to gather each flower
Death is not a tragedy but a homecoming
We will bloom forever in the garden of Paradise
"Early" death is not necessarily a loss—God knows best

This image has brought comfort to countless people facing death—their own or that of loved ones.

Relevance for Today

A Model for the Persecuted Church

Christians around the world continue to face persecution for their faith:

In the Middle East
In parts of Africa
In North Korea, China, and other restrictive countries
Even in the West, through increasing social marginalization

Saint Théophane stands as a patron and model for the persecuted Church, showing:

How to maintain joy under pressure
How to continue ministry in secret
How to face death with courage
How to love one's persecutors
How to trust that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church

A Challenge to Comfortable Christianity

For those of us who live in relative freedom and comfort, Saint Théophane challenges us:

Are we willing to sacrifice anything for our faith?

If we complain about minor inconveniences—missing a TV show to go to Mass, fasting during Lent, being mocked for our beliefs—how would we respond to:

Having to celebrate Mass in secret?
Living in a cave for years?
Being locked in a cage for months?
Facing death for refusing to deny Christ?

His example calls us to gratitude for our freedom and to courage in using that freedom well.

An Inspiration for Missionaries

Saint Théophane reminds missionaries—whether foreign or domestic—that:

Success is not measured by numbers or results
Faithfulness matters more than effectiveness
Joy is essential to witness
Loving those we serve transforms ministry
Suffering for the Gospel is a privilege

His letters continue to inspire new generations of priests, religious, and lay missionaries who leave home to bring Christ to those who do not know him.

The Importance of Letters and Communication

In our age of instant communication, Saint Théophane's letters remind us of the power of written words to:

Console and encourage
Inspire and challenge
Preserve memories
Witness to faith
Touch hearts across time and space

His letters from the cage have done more good than he could ever have imagined. They continue to inspire, console, and convert.

What might our own letters, emails, texts, and posts accomplish if we wrote them with such love, faith, and joy?

Prayer to Saint Jean-Théophane Vénard

Saint Jean-Théophane Vénard, joyful martyr of Vietnam, you who faced death with a song on your lips and peace in your heart, intercede for us before the throne of grace.

You who loved your family deeply yet followed Christ's call to distant lands, teach us how to love both God and neighbor with undivided hearts. Show us that authentic love for family enriches rather than diminishes our vocation to serve God.

You who lived in caves and cages yet maintained radiant joy, help us to find true happiness not in circumstances but in union with Christ. Free us from dependence on comfort and teach us to embrace whatever crosses God permits.

You who were betrayed by one you trusted, yet showed no bitterness, grant us the grace to forgive those who hurt us and to see in every person—even our persecutors—a soul precious to God.

You who called yourself a "poor little moth" and spoke of life as flowers that God gathers, help us to accept our smallness, to trust in God's timing, and to believe that every life—no matter how short—has infinite value in his eyes.

You who wrote such beautiful letters from prison that they inspired a saint and founded missionary movements, remind us of the power of our words. May everything we write and speak give witness to the joy of the Gospel.

You who said "The longer it lasts, the better it will be," teach us to value suffering united with Christ and to offer our pains—great and small—for the salvation of souls.

You who inspired Saint Thérèse of Lisieux with your "little way" of ordinary holiness, show us how to become saints through faithfulness in small things, through daily duty done with great love.

Saint Théophane, intercede for the persecuted Church throughout the world. Strengthen Christians facing imprisonment, torture, and death. Give them your joy, your courage, and your unwavering faith.

Pray especially for missionaries who have left home and family to bring Christ to those who do not know him. Protect them in danger, sustain them in loneliness, and fill them with your cheerful spirit.

Through your prayers and example, may we learn to face whatever trials come—from minor inconveniences to grave sufferings—with the same joyful trust that marked your life and death. And may we, like you, be gathered by the Master of the garden when he wills, ready to meet him face to face.

Through Christ our Lord, who conquered death and gave you the martyr's crown. Amen.

For Further Reflection

What aspect of Saint Théophane's life most challenges or inspires you?
How can you cultivate joy even in difficult circumstances?
Are you willing to make sacrifices for your faith? What sacrifices is God calling you to make right now?
How might God be calling you to missionary work—whether in distant lands or in your own neighborhood?
What "flowers" in your life might God be asking you to let him "pluck"—plans, relationships, securities, comforts?
Who in your life needs to receive a letter, email, or message of faith, love, and encouragement from you?
How can you show love to those who oppose, criticize, or even persecute you?
In what ways can you embrace Saint Théophane's "ordinary" path to holiness through faithful daily duty?

Saint Jean-Théophane Vénard, pray for us!

May we have your joy in suffering, your love for those who hurt us, your courage in persecution, and your unwavering faith in God's loving providence. Help us to become, like you, little flowers that bloom for God's pleasure and bring fragrance to the world.

A Final Word from Saint Théophane

Let us conclude with the young martyr's own words, written from his cage just days before his execution: