The Little Flower’s Gift of Snow

In early January of 2024 a classic Nor’easter brought snow to our area for the first time in two years. When winter storm Ember dropped five inches of fluffy snow on our New Jersey town, delighted residents posted pictures of the winter wonderland on social media. Backyards and nearby farm fields blanketed in snow and the riverside red mill accented in white made for picturesque photographs.

Swirling snowflakes outside my kitchen window created a snow-globe effect. The hush that a snow day brings isolated us from the world for a while. After a snowless winter last year, the wonder had returned. My husband and I rejoiced that our little granddaughter, who lives just a few miles away and does not remember ever seeing snow on the ground, would be able to use the sled we had given her last Christmas.

Although we were snowed in for the day, no one complained (at least not publicly on Facebook) about the roads or the inconvenience. There was a kind of reassurance in the return of snow. All discussion of global warming or climate change aside, I simply want to live in a place where seasons change and it snows every once in a while. Winter storm Ember clarified that this was so, and I said a prayer of thanksgiving.

A Saint Who Loved Snow

The return of snow after its lengthy absence brought to mind a saint who so loved snow that she wrote about it when relating her spiritual journey. In her autobiographical writing, Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux tells of a memorable incident when she was entering the Carmelite convent. The young saint had adored snow from her early childhood. She explains, “When I was small, its whiteness filled me with delight, and one of the greatest pleasures I had was taking a walk under the light snowflakes” (Therese 186). Therese muses that this may be because she was born in January. Her first views of nature were of snow-covered scenes.

Whatever the reason for her love of snow, Therese had always wished that the day on which she would receive the habit of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel would be accompanied by snowy weather. She hoped that on this day, “nature would be adorned in white,” resembling the white garment that Therese would wear (Therese 186). Therese’s Clothing Day ceremony was scheduled for January 10, 1889. Despite the January date, Therese noted that temperatures were warm. The night before the ceremony, a light rain was falling, and Therese guessed that her dream of a snow-covered day for the reception of her habit would not be fulfilled.

Unexpected Delights

However, St. Therese’s religious Clothing Day was to be a day of unexpected delights. The sisters had considered having Therese’s robing ceremony in private because her father had been seriously ill. Nevertheless, to everyone’s surprise, her father recovered sufficiently to attend. Therese describes her father that day as “my dear King,” and reports, “never had he looked so handsome, so dignified,” as he did on this day, which was the last time that she would ever embrace him (Therese 187).

The second surprise of Therese’s day was the hymn, “Te Deum”, which the Bishop intoned at the conclusion of the ceremony. A priest in attendance murmured that this hymn was usually sung only at Professions, not at a Clothing Day ceremony. However, the Bishop continued and the hymn of praise was sung in its entirety.

The culminating joy of the event was the snow which Therese had so desired. Skies had continued to appear dismal and grey that morning. But after the ceremony, Therese beheld the monastery garden covered in snow fallen from heaven. Her childlike delight at the sight is expressed in her description: “What thoughtfulness on the part of Jesus! Anticipating the desires of His fiancée, He gave her snow. Snow! What mortal bridegroom, no matter how powerful he may be, could make snow fall from heaven to charm his beloved?” (Therese 187). People called it a little miracle. Townsfolk nearby also commented on Therese’s strange weather preference!

A Relationship with the Divine Spouse

Therese’s account of the gift that her Beloved surprised her with illustrates the love she bore for him. It also provides a glimpse into the relationship between a religious and the Divine Spouse. She receives the beauty and wonder of the gift of snow as a girl would accept a diamond ring. She acknowledges Jesus’ regard for her, believing absolutely in his love. This is a tremendous example for those in religious life. Lay people as well can learn from Therese how personal and genuine our relationship with the Lord can be if we recognize what he does for us even in the details of daily life.

Extending this idea to winter storm Ember, I think of God’s own delight in bringing joy to my neighbors and me upon our first snowfall in two years. Responding to our simple wish, the Creator sent us a winter wonderland. It is fitting and proper for us to sense his love in the gift.

How blessed we are by the example of the saints who have traveled this road ahead of us. Their experiences of the everyday wonders and works of the Creator display a kinship that we share with them. Such is the case with our spiritual sister, St. Therese, the Little Flower who so loved snow.

Works Cited:

St. Therese of Lisieux. Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese. Translated by John Clarke.   lcigorokacom.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/saint-therese-of-lisieux-story-of-a-soul-the-autobiography.pdf . Accessed 8 January 2024.