St Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Word for the day

“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart.” Luke 18:1

Life

Rosa Eluvathingal was born on 17 October 1877 at Kattoor near Irinjalakuda, in the diocese of Thrissur. As a child she felt drawn to give her life to God and, after some resistance from her family, joined the Carmelite sisters of the Syro-Malabar Church (today the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel), taking the name Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

She suffered serious illnesses as a young sister and attributed her recovery to the intercession of the Holy Family. For many years she lived at St Mary's Convent, Ollur, where she served as novice mistress and superior. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament, and people came to her for prayer and counsel.

The people of Ollur called her the “praying mother” (Prarthikkunna Amma), and also the “moving tabernacle”, because Christ seemed to go with her wherever she went. She died on 29 August 1952. She was beatified in 2006 and canonised by Pope Francis on 23 November 2014, together with St Kuriakose Elias Chavara.

Lessons

Prayer is a work

Euphrasia's main apostolate was prayer. Her intercession sustained many families.

Close to the tabernacle

Her love for the Eucharist made her a “moving tabernacle” for others.

Faithful in ordinary duties

As novice mistress and superior she guided others with gentleness and firmness.

Hidden holiness

She did not seek attention; people simply knew that she prayed for them.

Stories

The praying mother of Ollur (tradition)

People of every background came to the convent at Ollur asking “Amma” to pray for their needs: sick children, debts, exams, family quarrels. She would promise to pray, and she kept her promise, often late into the night in the chapel.

Homily · The saint's life and message

1. Called from childhood

Rosa Eluvathingal desired to give her life to God.

2. Healed and grateful

Her recovery from illness, attributed to the Holy Family.

3. The praying mother

Long hours before the Blessed Sacrament at Ollur.

4. Faithful in ordinary duties

Novice mistress and superior, simple and kind.

Dear brothers and sisters, the people of Ollur called St Euphrasia the praying mother. She did not do spectacular things. She prayed, and she did her daily duties faithfully, with great love. That was her holiness.

Rosa Eluvathingal was born at Kattoor in 1877. As a child she felt God calling her, and despite resistance from her family she joined the Carmelite sisters, taking the name Euphrasia of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a young sister she suffered serious illness and attributed her recovery to the intercession of the Holy Family.

For many years she lived at St Mary's Convent, Ollur, as novice mistress and superior. She spent long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. People came to her with their troubles, and she listened and prayed. She was faithful in small duties: sweeping, teaching, correcting, encouraging.

Euphrasia reminds us that prayer is real work. A world that values only activity needs people who pray. Let us visit the Blessed Sacrament this week, even for five minutes, and bring to the Lord the troubles of our families. And let us ask St Euphrasia to pray for us.

Homily option 2 · In the light of the Word: pray always and do not lose heart

1. The persistent widow

Pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1–8).

2. Prayer in secret

Your Father who sees in secret (Matthew 6:6).

3. Remain in me

Abide in me as I abide in you (John 15:4–5).

4. Mary's part

Sitting at the Lord's feet (Luke 10:39–42).

Dear friends, Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept asking an unjust judge for justice until he gave in. He told it so that His disciples would pray always and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). St Euphrasia lived this parable.

Prayer is not always easy. Sometimes we pray and nothing seems to change. Euphrasia also knew illness and difficulty. But she kept praying, day after day, before the tabernacle. Jesus said: when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret (Matthew 6:6). Her holiness was mostly hidden.

Jesus also said: abide in me as I abide in you; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4–5). Euphrasia's long hours before the Blessed Sacrament were not wasted time. From that union came her wisdom, her kindness and her strength.

Martha served; Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened, and Jesus said she had chosen the better part (Luke 10:42). We need both. But in our busy lives, let us not lose Mary's part. Give God a fixed time every day. Do not lose heart.

Homily option 3 · For young people and families: the power of a praying mother

1. Mothers who pray

Many of us are believers because someone prayed for us.

2. Pray for your children by name

A daily habit.

3. Teach children to visit Jesus

Five minutes before the tabernacle.

4. Pray when it is hard

Do not give up on a wandering child.

Dear families, St Euphrasia was called the praying mother, though she never had children of her own. In a sense she became a mother to everyone who came to her for prayer. Many of us here are believers today because a mother or grandmother prayed for us.

Parents, pray for your children by name every day. Pray for their studies, their friends, their future spouse, their faith. Pray especially when they wander or struggle. St Monica prayed for years for her son Augustine. Do not give up.

Teach your children to visit Jesus in the church, even for five minutes, after school or on the way home. Euphrasia spent hours before the tabernacle; children can start with a few minutes. They will remember it all their lives.

Young people, you too can pray for your parents, your friends and your future. Prayer is not only for the old. Ask St Euphrasia to teach you to pray with trust, and never to lose heart.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you gave St Euphrasia a heart burning with love for your Sacred Heart and a life of constant prayer. Through her intercession teach us to pray always and not lose heart, and to carry you to others. Amen.