Fathers’s Day :
Little Theresa of Lisieux asked her first-grade classmates, “Have you ever seen a saint praying; If not, come to my house in the evening, and you will see my dad on his knees in his room with outstretched arms, praying for us, his children, every day.” She wrote this later in one of her letters from the convent.
The third Sunday of June is traditionally celebrated in the United States as Father’s Day. The promoter of Father’s Day in the United States is Mrs. Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Washington. Mr. William Jackson Smart, her dad, accomplished the incredible task of raising his six children after their young mother’s death. Mrs. Dodd suggested observing Father’s Day by wearing a flower, a red rose for the living father, and a white rose for the deceased father. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge made the first Presidential proclamation in support of Father’s Day. In 1972, President Richard Nixon declared the third Sunday in June a National Day of Observance in honor of fathers.
“Fatherhood demands responsibility. Our nation and our world are in great need of good fathers who only can create good leaders”
#1- The father’s role in the family in today’s society:
Some recent studies have demonstrated how important a father is to his child’s development. Children raised with fathers’ present have lower rates of delinquency, drug, alcohol use, teen pregnancy, much lesser than those with absent fathers. The father’s presence is also a significant factor in children’s getting a college education, finding a satisfying job, and making a lasting marriage. Psychotherapists today are saying that both parents are vitally important for the stable development of their children. The mother’s input is invaluable in the formative pre-adolescent years, and the father’s most important influence is at adolescence. Single mothers tell us that it is difficult to teach their children about the meaning of God the Father, who seems so impersonal because their biological fathers have abandoned their children. Adolescent daughters long to hear from their fathers that they are beautiful and loved. A girl’s choice of partner and satisfaction in marriage is often directly related to the relationship she has had with her father.
A father’s role according to the Bible:
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the vital importance of the father’s role comes from the fact that, with his wife, he cooperates with God the Creator in bringing a new human life into the world. There is no power greater than that (CC#2367). A few Biblical references to the same point: Genesis 2:24, Exodus 20:12, Ezekiel 19:19-20, Sirach 3:1-16, Matthew 19:16-22, John 1:14, 2 Cor 6:16-18, Ephesians 6: 1-4, 1 Thess. 2:11- 12.
The ideal and the real:
Many fathers today are real leaders, heroes, role models, providers, and protectors of their families. They also provide emotional and spiritual support to their wives and children and are able to balance careers with family life. They struggle and make sacrifices for their families. They try to be models to their families, and they deserve our prayers and support. Above all, they are a model of goodness, holiness, faith, trust in God, and fidelity to the teachings of the Church. But in reality, some fathers abandon their children, beat, ridicule, ignore, abuse, and so damage their children psychologically. We are reminded of the number of children growing up fatherless because their fathers have abandoned them, or their fathers have been unfaithful. Fatherhood demands responsibility. Our nation and our world are in great need of good fathers who only can create good leaders!
It is written about St. Teresa of Avila in this way; in the final year of her high school studies, she was sent by her father against her will, to a boarding house conducted by nuns. Her father took this decision when he discovered bad books and yellow magazines hidden in her box. These had been supplied to Teresa by her spoiled friend and classmate, Beatrice. St. Teresa later wrote as the Mother Superior: “But for that daring and timely action of my father, I would have ended up in the streets, as a notorious woman.” Father’s Day celebration challenges Christian Fathers to be role models, heroes, and leaders to their children!
Today is also an opportunity to pray and support our Spiritual Fathers, pastors, priests, mentors, and anyone who guides you in your life journey! May you be blessed and be a blessing to others! Happy Father’s Day! You are awesome, guys! We love you, and we need you!
Lovingly,
Fr Tomy Puliyan, MSFS
“Holiness and Happiness through Wellness and Wholeness”
Good morning
Thanks for the nice message. Please keep us in your heart 💖
Happy father’s day to all fathers
I feel chetai to wish you a very happy fathers day.since I accept you as spiritual father.I really enjoyed today’s message.its really true to respect our fathers.
A very nice thought on the importance of fathers in the life of children.Any father can give a lot of light in the lives of their children.
Happy Father’s Day Fr.Tommy
Chettai, inspiring reflections. Thank you.. First time I heard the quotation of St. Theresa on father.