Fr. Tayao reminds Dominican faithful: Do ordinary acts with extraordinary love

by Kristine Salamagos and Yuan Miguel Navarro, Junior Staffers

Mid-32nd Family Rosary Crusade at St. Dominic Academy of Pulilan, Dominican faithful gathered once again in prayer and reflection as they celebrated the Memorial of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, also known as the “Little Flower.”

During the celebration, Rev. Fr. Kenneth Arvin C. Tayao reflected on St. Thérèse’s spirituality and her teaching known as the “Little Way,” emphasizing that holiness does not always require extraordinary actions. Instead, people can grow closer to God by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love.

St. Thérèse used the image of a little flower to describe her relationship with God. In her autobiography, The Story of a Soul, she reflected on how God delights in every flower. A flower does not have to be the biggest or most beautiful to have value. What matters is that it blooms according to how God created it.

This reflection also applies to every person. Each individual has different talents, abilities, and qualities, but these differences do not determine one's worth before God. What matters is how people use what God has given them and continue to grow according to His will.

Fr. Tayao also emphasized that people often think that becoming a saint requires doing something great or extraordinary. However, the life of St. Thérèse shows that holiness can also be found in the simplicity of everyday life.

“You don't have to do extraordinary things to become holy. You can become holy by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love,” the mass presider shared.

St. Thérèse’s “Little Way” teaches the faithful three important attitudes: to love, to trust, and to offer.

First, the Little Way calls people to do even the smallest actions with love. For students, this may mean doing schoolwork honestly, helping at home, or showing kindness to others. These actions may appear simple, but when they are done with genuine love, they become meaningful offerings to God.

Second, St. Thérèse teaches the faithful to trust God like a child. This does not mean avoiding responsibility or expecting God to do everything. Rather, it means recognizing that people are not self-sufficient and that they need God's grace and guidance. Like a child who trusts a loving parent, believers are encouraged to approach God honestly, even in moments of weakness.

Third, the Little Way teaches people to offer their ordinary lives to God. St. Thérèse lived a simple life filled with prayer, work, and service, yet she transformed these ordinary experiences into opportunities for holiness.

The reflection emphasized that everyone can follow this path regardless of their role in life. Students can strive to become good examples, parents can dedicate themselves to their families, and teachers can serve their students with devotion. In every situation, ordinary responsibilities can become a path toward holiness when offered to God with love.

This message was also connected to the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Through the Holy Rosary, the faithful reflect on the life of Mary and the life of Jesus. Although Mary lived an ordinary life as a mother and a member of her family, she offered everything she had to God.

The homily also reminded the faithful that gathering together in prayer is itself an ordinary moment that can become an opportunity to love God and others. Even the smallest acts of devotion can become meaningful when they are offered with a sincere heart.

These lessons were anchored on the Gospel reading from Matthew 18:1–5, where the disciples asked Jesus who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus called a child and placed the child among them, teaching that those who humble themselves like a child are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Gospel connects deeply with St. Thérèse’s spirituality because her Little Way was rooted in humility, simplicity, and complete trust in God. Like a child who depends on and trusts a parent, Christians are reminded to recognize their dependence on God and to approach Him with humility.

The Gospel also serves as a reminder that greatness in God's eyes is not measured by achievements, recognition, or the size of one's actions. Instead, true greatness can be found in humility, love, trust, and service.

As the 32nd Family Rosary Crusade continues, the celebration of St. Thérèse reminds the Dominican community that holiness can begin in the simplest moments of everyday life. Through the Little Way, the faithful are encouraged to love through small actions, trust God even in times of weakness, and offer their ordinary lives to Him.

May the lessons of St. Thérèse and the Gospel continue to guide the Dominican faithful to grow in faith and deepen their relationship with God. May every small act of love, every moment of trust, and every ordinary responsibility become an offering to Him.

As the Family Rosary Crusade continues, may the faithful remain united in prayer and continue to follow the example of St. Thérèse to love.#