Colonel Ronald Garan was the astronaut who carried relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux into space and put them in orbit around the earth. The mission to bring the Saint's relics on board the Discovery shuttle was started by the Carmelite community in New Caney, Texas. They were inspired by St. Thérèse's own words:
"I have the vocation of an apostle. I would like to travel over the whole earth to preach your name and to plant your glorious cross on infidel soil. But oh, my beloved, one mission would not be enough for me, I would want to preach the Gospel on all five continents simultaneously and even to the most remote isles. I would be a missionary, not for a few years but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages."
This year Colonel Ronald Ganan had an audience with the Pope, and has announced that he will be bringing more of relics with him on his next mission to space in 2011. Here's to the Colonel for continuing to promote and educate other's on this great Saint.