Together with St Francis Xavier, this young nun who never left the cloister of her convent, and, who died at the age of 24, is the Patroness of the Missions. What gained for her this title? It was her childlikeness! Notice she was childlike, but not childish! When one is childlike, one is possessing the mental characteristics of being open and trusting. That person is inherently frank, sincere and honest in his/her dealing with the neighbour. A normal growing child knows no regrets when things go awry. The child is not vindictive and harbours no malice towards people. When he/she succeeds the person is not proud, but simply joyful.

The childish person, on the other hand, is closed and egoistic, tends to treat people as things. Such people are not capable of really loving others, but love themselves so much that they care very little for the feelings of the person next to them.

Both types of individuals exist in our midst. A childlike person is both an asset and a joy to whoever crosses his way. A childish person, on the other hand, is a catastrophe in the society of civilized people.