Sr Jasmine Cano and Nathan Magill from the Legion of Mary Belfast pictured with a painting of St Thérèse outside of De Montfort House in Dublin on October 2. Photo: Frida Hennig. Young people actively participating in the Church “have that zeal in them,” said young Belfast legionary Nathan Magill to The Irish Catholic. Speaking at the Legion of Mary headquarters in Dublin upon the arrival of St Thérèse’s relics to Morning Star Avenue last weekend, Mr Magill and fellow legionary Sr Jasmine Cano, both in their 20s, expressed their hopes for the future of the Church and reflected on St Thérèse’s ‘Little Way’ as an inspiration for faithfulness.
“Ever since I joined the Legion a year ago,” shared Sr Cano, “I can see…there is a big revival of youth, which is good to see.” Mr Magill, who joined the Legion when he was 19, shared a similar story. “I actually got to see the transition through older people to the youth coming into the Legion.” When he joined, Mr Magill said there were only two people under the age of 30. Now, he shared, “we’re definitely seeing a big revival in the Legion.”
While the number of youth actively participating in the Church may still be low, Mr Magill noted that those who are involved are uniquely passionate and hardworking. “They’re able to bring their enthusiasm, their youth, even their talents. It’s one of my favourite things about youth and God, is that God brings people that are really starting their lives out, that are really talented, that are really courageous, and are willing to try new things,” the Belfast legionary continued.
The two legionaries expressed hope that witnessing the devotion of young people to St Thérèse this past weekend would demonstrate the faith of youth like them. Both Sr Cano and Mr Magill traveled from Belfast on October 2 to witness the arrival of the relics of St Thérèse and her parents Sts Louis and Zélie Martin at De Montfort House.
Mr Magill described ‘The Little Flower’ as one of the easiest saints to connect with. He said she challenges the idea that God is only concerned with the “big acts”, as St Thérèse’s ‘Little Way’ focuses on living out a faithful life through daily, small acts.
Speaking also about St Thérèse ‘Little Way’ in his talk at De Montfort House on October 2, Archbishop Dermot Farrell said, “Sometimes we’re inclined to rely on the great deeds, the grand deeds, the heroic deeds, but it emphasises complete childlike trust in God’s mercy and offering up even the smallest things in life’s moments as quiet acts of faith.”