St. Therese's Little Way

St. Therese and Her Little Way - Like a Drop of Water Thrown Into a Flaming Furnace

2009-02-23T07:32:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Roses from I Believe In Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d'Elbee, a personal retreat based on St. Therese of Lisieux.

I'm blogging from this incredibly important book published in 1969 by a French priest who truly understood the spirituality of our dear little saint. Next to Story of a Soul, this book has been the most important for my carmelite spiritual journey. After reading it, I was able to focus and hold on to the truth that Jesus indeed loves me more than I will ever comprehend. Trust, trust, and more trust is the key to our spiritual growth. When we trust to the point of 'folly' Jesus rewards us with opportunities for more trust and sends us graces for our santification. "This spiritual classic has long been beloved by Catholics for its wondrous distillation of the teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux into a reader-friendly set of meditations. It’s perfect as a personal retreat when you have only a few moments to spare each day — and for spiritual reading anytime and anywhere. Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée, a French priest deeply imbued with St. Thérèse’s spirit, brings you St. Thérèse’s teachings on God’s love and the confidence in Him that it should inspire in your soul; humility, peace, and fraternal charity; the apostolate; the Cross; and what it means truly to abandon yourself to Divine Providence. I Believe in Love has helped countless souls embark on the way to the Father. It will help you focus on Him throughout each day, rest in Him amid your troubles, and live joyfully with Him at every moment! " Excerpted from the back cover, published by Sophia Institute Press.

CHAPTER TWO - HUMBLE CONFIDENCE Continued

"It is true that instinctively we seek to climb the rough stairway of perfection instead of taking the gentle elevator of the arms of Jesus. This is because we have been told so often of our miseries. We have been told, and rightly, that we are miserable; and then, we have been told about Jesus that He is good, yes, but not enough that He is wondrously good, infinitely good, infinite charity. No one has told us at the same time that He is Savior before He is Judge and that, in the Heart of God, 'justice and peace have embraced'.

We have been trained in the habit of looking at our dark side, our ugliness, and not at the purifying Sun, Light of Light, which He is, who changes the dust that we are into pure gold. We think about examining ourselves, yet we do not think, before the examination, during the examination, and after the examination, to plunge ourselves, with all our miseries, into the consuming and transforming furnace of His Heart, which is open to us through a humble act of confidence.

I am not telling you, 'You believe too much in your own wretchedness.' We are much more wretched than we ever realize. But I am telling you, 'You do not believe enough in mercuful love.'
We must have confidence, not in spite of our miseries, but because of them, since it is misery which attracts mercy.

Oh, this word, mercy -- misericordia -- 'miseris cor dare,' a Heart which gives itself to the miserable, a Heart which nourishes itself on miseries by consuming them. Mediate on this word.

St. Thomas says that 'to have mercy belongs to the nature of God, and it is in this that His omnipotence manifests itself in the highest degree.'

Little Therese perceived this when she wrote these lines which complete and crown her maunscript: 'Yes, I sense that even if I had on my conscience all the sins which can be committed, I would go, my heart broken, to repent and throw myself into the arms of Jesus, for I know how much He cherishes the prodigal child who returns to Him. It is not because the dear Lord in His provident mercy has preserved my soul from mortal sin that I am lifted up to Him by confidence and love.'

Again, shortly before her death, speaking to Mother Agnes, she said, 'You may truly say that if I had committed all possible crimes, I would still have the same confidence; I would feel that this multitude of offenses would be like a drop of water thrown into a flaming furnace.' All possible crimes, a multitude of offenses, a drop of water in an immense furnace; that is the proportion.

And this affirmation is so logical, it is irrefutable."

To be continued on the next blog.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

2009-02-16T08:43:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Roses from I Believe In Love by Fr. Jean C. J. d'Elbee, a personal retreat based on St. Therese of Lisieux.

I'm blogging from this incredibly important book published in 1969 by a French priest who truly understood the spirituality of our dear little saint. Next to Story of a Soul, this book has been the most important for my carmelite spiritual journey. After reading it, I was able to focus and hold on to the truth that Jesus indeed loves me more than I will ever comprehend. Trust, trust, and more trust is the key to our spiritual growth. When we trust to the point of 'folly' Jesus rewards us with opportunities for more trust and sends us graces for our santification.

"This spiritual classic has long been beloved by Catholics for its wondrous distillation of the teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux into a reader-friendly set of meditations. It’s perfect as a personal retreat when you have only a few moments to spare each day — and for spiritual reading anytime and anywhere. Fr. Jean C. J. d’Elbée, a French priest deeply imbued with St. Thérèse’s spirit, brings you St. Thérèse’s teachings on God’s love and the confidence in Him that it should inspire in your soul; humility, peace, and fraternal charity; the apostolate; the Cross; and what it means truly to abandon yourself to Divine Providence. I Believe in Love has helped countless souls embark on the way to the Father. It will help you focus on Him throughout each day, rest in Him amid your troubles, and live joyfully with Him at every moment! " Excerpted from the back cover, published by Sophia Institute Press.

CHAPTER TWO - HUMBLE CONFIDENCE

"You must believe in the love of Jesus for you. Love calls for love. How do you give Jesus love for love? Before all and above all, by your confidence in Him.

This word, confidence, summarizes the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity - sovereign virtues which bring all the others in their train. But if these are the highest virtues, then the greatest heroism is demanded of us in order to realize them in the face of the mystery of a 'hidden God.'

A man must be heroic to live always in faith, hope, and love. Why? Because, as a result of Original Sin, no one can be certain with the certainty of faith that he is saved, but only with a moral certainty based upon fidelity to grace; and because as sinners we are constantly tempted by doubts and anxiety.

It was in order to resolve this conflict between our desires and our powerlessness that Jesus came to earth and took our informities upon Himself. Little Therese understood that it is our state of misery which attracts His mercy.

Before her, St. Paul wrote, 'Gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.' 'I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.'
How profound is the theology of St. Paul! He glories in his infirmities; he rejoices in being weak, because Jesus is there.

For it is this confidence, and nothing but confidence, which will open the arms of Jesus to you so that He will bear you up. Confidence will be for you the golden key to His Heart.

In her desire to be holy, and comparing herself to the saints, St. Therese said that there was, between them and herself, the same difference as between a mountain whose summit is lost in the heavens and an obscure grain of sand, trampoled under the feed of passersby. Rather than becoming discouraged, she thought:

'The good God would not inspire unattainable desires; I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to sanctity. For me to become greater is impossible; I must put up with myself just as I am with all my imperfections. But I wish to find the way to go to Heaven by a very straight, short, completely new little way. We are in a century of inventions; now one does not even have to take the trouble to climb the steps of a stairway; in the homes of the rich an elevator replaces them nicely. I, too, would like to find an elevator to lift me up to Jesus, for I am too little to climb the rough stairway of perfection.

So I have looked in the books of the saints for a sign of the elevator I long for, and I have read these words proceeding from the mount of eternal Wisdom: "He that is a little one, let him turn to me." So I came, knowing that I had found what I was seeking and wanting to know, O my God, what you would do with the little one who would answer Your call, and this is what I found:

"As one whom the mother caresses, so will I comfort you. You shall be carried at the breasts and upon the knees they shall caress you." Never have more tender words come to make my soul rejoice. The elevator which must raise me to the heavens is Your arms, O Jesus! For that I do not need to grow; on the contrary, I must necessarily remail small, become smaller. O my God, You have surpassed what I expected, and I want to sing Your mercies.'

All the theology of little Therese, which echoes that of St. Paul, is summarized and put at our disposal in these lines, on which we could meditate endlessly without exhausting their richness.

What I cannot do myself Jesus will do. He will take me and lift me up to the summit of the mountain of perfection, to the summit of the mountain of love." chapter two continued in the next blog.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - A little bit of bitterness is at times preferable to sugar

2007-02-27T06:56:00.000-08:00

"I told you dear Mother, that I had learned very much when I was teaching others. I saw first of all that all souls have very much the same struggles to fight, but they differ so much from each other in other aspects that I have no trouble in understanding what Father Pichon was saying: "There are really more differences among souls than there are among faces." It is impossible to act with all in the same manner. With certain souls, I feel I must make myself little, not fearing to humble myself by admitting my own struggles and defects, seeing I have the same weaknesses as they, my little Sisters in their turn admit their faults and rejoice because I understand them through experience. With others, on the contrary, I have seen that to do any good I must be very firm and never go back on a decision once it is made. To abase oneself would not then be humility but weakness. God has given me the grace not to fear the battle; I must do my duty at all costs. I have heard the following on more than one occasion: "If you want to get anything out of me, you will have to win me with sweetness; force will get you nothing." I myself know that nobody is a good judge in his own case, and that a child, whom a doctor wants to perform a painful operation upon, will not fail to utter loud cries and to say that the rememdy is worse than the sickness; however, when he is cured a few days later, he is very happy at being able to play and run. It is exactly the same for souls; soon they recognize that a little bit of bitterness is at times preferable to sugar and they don't fear to admit it."
Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 239. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.
St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Obedience

2007-02-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"O Mother, what anxieties the Vow of Obedience frees us from! How happy are simple religious! Their only compass being their Superiors' will, they are always sure of being on the right road; they have nothing to fear from being mistaken even when it seems that their Superiors are wrong. But when they cease to look upon the infallible compass, when they stray from the way it indicates under the pretext of God's will, unclear at times even to His representatives, then they wander into arid paths where the water of grace is soon lacking.

Dear Mother, you are the compass Jesus has given me as a sure guide to the eternal shore. How sweet it is to fix my eyes upon you and thus accomplish the will of the Lord! Since the time He permitted me to suffer temptations against the faith, He has greatly increased the spirit of faith in my heart, which helps me to see in you not only a loving Mother but also Jesus living in your soul and communicating His will to me through you. I know very well, dear Mother, you are treating me as a feeble soul, a spoiled child, and as a consequence I have no trouble in carrying the burden of obedience. But because of what I feel in my heart, I would not change my attitude toward you, nor would my love decrease if it pleased you to treat me severely. I would see once more that it was the will of Jesus that you were acting in this way for the greater good of my soul."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 218. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Charity

2007-01-26T08:09:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Yes, I feel it, when I am charitable, it is Jesus alone who is acting in me, and the more united I am to Him, the more also do I love my Sisters. When I wish to increase this love in me, and when especially the devil tries to place before the eyes of my soul the faults of such and such a Sister who is less attractive to me, I hasten to search out her virtues, her good intentioons; I tell myself that even if I did see her fall once, she could easily have won a great number of victories which she is hiding through humility, and that even what appears to me as a fault can very easily be an act of virtue because of her intention. I have no trouble in convincing myself of this truth because of a little experience I had which showed me we must never judge.

During recreation the portress rang twice; the large workman's gate had to be opened to bring in some trees for the crib. Recreation was not too gay because you were not there, dear Mother, and I thought that if they sent me to serve as third party I would be happy; at exactly that moment Mother Subprioress told me to go and serve in this capacity, or else the Sister who was at my side. Immediately I began to untie our apron but slowly in order that my companion untie her before me, for I thought of giving her the pleasure of serving as third party. The Sister who was replacing the Procuratrix was looking at us, and seeing me get up last, she said; "Ah! I thought as much, that you were not going to gain this pearl for your crown, you were going too slowly.

Certainly, the whole community believed I had acted through selfishness, and I cannot say how much good such a small thing did to my soul, making me indulgent toward the weaknesses of others. This incident prevents me from being vain when I am judged favorably because I say to myself: Since one can take my little acts of virtue for imperfections, one can also be mistaken in taking for virtue what is not but imperfection. Then I say with St. Paul: ' To me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by any human tribunal, but neither do I judge myself. He who judged me is THE LORD.'

In order that this judgment be favorable or rather that I be not judged at all, I want to be charitable in my thoughts toward others at all times, for Jesus has said: 'Judge not, and you shall not be judged.' "

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 221. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Wrapped in Cotton Wool and Fattened Like a Little Bird

2007-01-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"On New Year's day, 1888, Jesus again gave me a present of His cross, but this time I was alone in carrying it. It was all the more painful as I did not understand it. A letter from Mother Marie de Gonzague informed me that the Bishop's answer had arrived December 28, feast of the Holy Innocents, but that she had not told me as it was decided that my entrance would be delayed until after Lent. I was unable to hold back my tears at the thought of such a long wait. This trial had a particular characteristic about it: I saw all my bonds broken as far as the world was concerned, but this time it was the holy ark itself which refused entrance to the poor little dove. I really want to believe I must have appeared unreasonable in not accepting my three months' exile joyfully, but I also believe that, without its appearing so, this trial was very great and made me grow very much in abandonment and in the other virtues.

How did those three months pass, those months so rich in graces for me? At first the thought came into my mind not to lead a life as well regulated as had been my custom, but soon I understood the value of the time I was being offered. I made a resolution to give myself up more than ever to a serious and mortified life. When I say mortified, this is not to give the impression that I performed acts of penance. Alas, I never made any. Far from resembling beautiful souls who practiced every kind of mortification from their childhood, I had no attraction for this. Undoubtedly this stemmed from my cowardliness, for I could have, like Celine, found a thousand ways of making myself suffer. Instead of this I allowed myself to be wrapped in cotton wool and fattened up like a little bird that needs no penance. My mortifications consisted in breaking my will, always so ready to impose itself on others, in holding back a reply, in rendering little services without recognition, in not leaning my back against a support when seated, etc., etc. It was through the practice of these nothings that I prepared myself to become the financee of Jesus, and I cannot express how much this waiting left me with sweet memories. Three months passed by very quickly, and then the moment so ardently desired finally arrived."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 143. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Jesus' Little Paint Brush

2007-01-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"...Ah! how true it is that God alone knows human hearts and that creatures are terribly narrow in their thoughts! When they see a soul more enlightened than others, immediately they conclude that Jesus loves them less than this soul, and that they cannot be called to the same perfection. Since when has the Lord no longer the right to make use of one of His creatures to dispense necessary nourishment to souls whom He loves? The Lord, even at the time of the Pharoahs, had this right, for in Scripture He says to this monarch: 'And therefore have I raised you, that I may show MY POWER in you, and my name may be spoken of throughout all the earth.' Century has followed on century since the Most High has spoken those words, and since then His conduct has undergone no change, for He is always using His creatures as instruments to carry on His work in souls.

If a piece of canvas painted on by an artist could think and speak, it certainly would not complain at being constantly touched and retouched by the brush, and would not envy the lot of that instrument, for it would realize it was not to the brush but to the artist using it that it owed the beauty with which it was clothed. The brush, too, would not be able to boast of the masterpiece produced with it, as it knows that artists are not at a loss, they play with difficulties, and are pleased to choose at times weak and defective instruments.

My dear Mother, I am a little brush that Jesus has chosen in order to paint His own image in the souls you entrusted to my care. An artist does not use only one brush, but needs at least two; the first is the more useful and with it he applies the general tints and covers the canvas entirely in a very short time; the other, the smaller one, he uses for details.

Mother, you are the precious brush that the hand of Jesus lovingly holds when He wishes to do a great work in the souls of your children, and I am the very small brush He deigns to use afterward for the smallest details..."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 190. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Venerable Anne of Jesus

2007-01-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"O Jesus, my Beloved, who could express the tenderness and sweetness with which You are guiding my soul! It pleases You to cause the rays of Your grace to shine through even in the midst of the darkest storm! Jesus, the storm was raging very strongly in my soul ever since the beautiful feast of Your victory, the radiant feast of Easter; one Saturday in the month of May, thinking of the mysterious dreams which are granted at time to certain souls, I said of myself that these dreams must be a very sweet consolation, and yet I wasn't asking for such a consolation. In the evening, considering the clouds which were covering her heaven, my little soul said again within herself that these beautiful dreams were not for her. And then she fell asleep in the midst of the storm. The next day was May 10, the second SUNDAY of Mary's month, and perhaps the anniversary of the day when the Blessed Virgin deigned to smile upon her little flower.

At the first glimmerings of dawn I was (in a dream) in a kind of gallery and there were several other persons, but they were at a distance. Our Mother was alone near me. Suddenly, without seeing how they had entered, I saw three Carmelites dressed in their mantles and long veils. It appeared to me that they were coming for our Mother, but what I did understand clearly was that they came from heaven. In the depths of my heart I cried out: 'Oh! how happy I would be if I could see the face of one of these Carmelites!' Then, as though my prayer were heard by her, the tallest of the saints advanced toward me; immediately I fell to my knees. Oh! what happiness! the Carmelite raised her veil or rather she raised it and covered me with it. Without the least hesitation, I recognized Venerable Anne of Jesus, Foundress of Carmel in France. Her face was beautiful but with an immaterial beauty. No ray escaped from it and still, in spite of the veil which covered us both, I saw this heavenly face suffused with an unspeakably gentle light, a light it didn't receive from without but was produced from within.

I cannot express the joy of my soul since these things are experienced but cannot be put into words. Several months have passed since this sweet dream, and yet the memory it has left in my soul has lost nothing of its freshness and heavenly charms. I still see Venerable Mother's glance and smile which was FILLED with LOVE. I believe I can still feel the caresses she gave me at this time.

Seeing myself so tenderly loved, I dared to pronounce these words: 'Oh Mother! I beg you, tell me whether God will leave me for a long time on earth. Will He come soon to get me?' Smiling tenderly, the saint whispered: 'Yes, soon, soon, I promise you.' I added: 'Mother, tell me further if God is not asking something more of me than my poor little actions and desires. Is He content with me?' The saint's face took on an expression incomparably more tender than the first time she spoke to me. 'God asks no other thing from you. He is content, very content!' After again embracing me with more love than the tenderest of mothers has ever given to her child, I saw her leave. My heart was filled with joy, and then I remembered my Sisters, and I wanted to ask her some favors for them, but alas, I awoke!

O Jesus, the storm was no longer raging, heaven was calm and serene. I believed, I felt there was a heaven and that this heaven is peopled with souls who actually love me, who consider me their child. This impression remains in my heart, and this all the more because I was, up until then, absolutely indifferent to Venerable Mother Anne of Jesus. I never invoked her in prayer and the thought of her never came to my mind except when I heard others speak of her, which was seldom. And when I understood to what a degree she loved me, how indifferent I had been toward her, my heart was filled with love and gratitude, not only for the Saint who had visited me but for all the blessed inhabitants of heaven."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 190. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Feed My Lambs

2007-01-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Ah! don't think, dear Mother, that your child wants to leave you; don't think she feels it is a greater grace to die at the dawn of the day rather than at its close. What she esteems and what she desires only is to please Jesus. Now that He seems to be approaching her in order to draw her into the place of His glory, your child is filled with joy. For a long time she has understood that God needs no one (much less her) to do good on earth. Pardon me, Mother, if I make you sad because I really want only to give you joy. Do you believe that though your prayers are really not heard on earth, though Jesus separates the child from its mother for a few days, that these prayers will be answered in Heaven?

Your desire, I know, is that I carry out at your side a very sweet and easy mission, but shall I not be able to finish it from the heights of heaven? You said to me, just as Jesus one day said to St. Peter: "Feed my lambs." I was astonished, and I told you that I was too little; I begged you to feed your lambs yourself, and to keep me and have me feed with them. And you, dear Mother, responding a little to my just request, retained the little lambs with the sheep; but you ordered me to go often and pasture them in the shade, pointing out the best and most nourishing herbs, showing them the bright flowers they must not touch except to trample them under their feet.

You didn't fear, dear Mother, that I would lead your little lambs astray. My lack of experience and my youthfulness did not frighten you in the least. Perhaps you remembered that often the Lord is pleased to grant wisdom to the little ones, and that one day, in a transport of joy, He blessed His Father for having hidden His secrets from the wise and prudent and for revealing them to the little ones."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 208. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - She Will Be Good

2007-01-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Here is another passage I find in Mama's letters. This poor little Mother evidently had a presentiment that the end of her exile was near. "The little ones don't disturb me since both of them are very good; they are very special, and certainly will turn out well. You and Marie will be able to raise them perfectly. Celine never commits the smallest deliberate fault. The little one will be all right too, for she wouldn't tell a lie for all the gold in the world and she has a spirit about her that I have not seen in any of you.

"The other day she was at the grocery store with Celine and Louise. She was talking about her practices. She was doing this rather loudly with Celine and the woman in the store said to Louise: 'What does she mean by these little practices? When she's playing in the garden that's all she talks about. Mme. Gaucherin listens at the window trying to understand what this debate about practices means.'

"The little one is our whole happiness. She will be good; one can already see the germ of goodness in her. She speaks only about God and wouldn't miss her prayers for anything. I wish you could see her recite the little poems she learned. Never have I seen anything so cute. She gets the exact expressions and tone all by herself. But it is especially when she says: 'Little child with the golden hair, where do you believe God is?' When she comes to the words: 'He is up there in the blue heavens,' she raises her eyes with an angelic expression. It's so beautiful that one doesn't grow tired of asking her to recite it, for there is something heavenly in her face!"

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 28. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Happy Birthday St. Therese !

2007-01-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

Today is the anniversary of St. Therese's birthday. She was born in Alencon France on January 2, 1873. May she intercede for us all today in a very special way.

"I wondered for a long time why God has preferences, why all souls don't receive an equal amount of graces. I was surprised when I saw Him shower His extraordinary favors on saints who had offended Him, for instance, St. Paul and St. Augustine, and whom he forced, so to speak, to accept His graces. When reading the lives of the saints, I was puzzled at seeing how Our Lord was pleased to caress certain ones from the cradle to the grave, allowing no obstacle in their way when coming to Him, helping them with such favors that they were unable to soil the immaculate beauty of their baptismal robe. I wondered why poor savages died in great numbers without even having heard the name of God pronounced.

Jesus deigned to teach me this mystery. He set before me the book of nature; I understood how all the flowers He has created are beautiful, how the splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the Lily do not take away the perfume of the little violet or the delightful simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little white flowers.

And so it is in the world of souls, Jesus' garden. He willed to create great souls comparable to Lilies and roses, but He has created smaller ones and these must be content to be daisies or violets destined to give joy to God's glances when He looks down at his feet. Perfection consists in doing His will, in being what He wills us to be."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 13. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of A Soul - Prayers for Pranzini

2006-12-28T08:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"To awaken my zeal God showed me my desires were pleasing to Him. I heard talk of a great criminal just condemned to death for some horrible crimes; everything pointed to the fact that he would die impenitent. I wanted at all costs to prevent him from falling into hell, and to attain my purpose I employed every means imaginable. Feeling that of myself I could do nothing, I offered to God all the infinite merits of Our Lord, the treasures of the Church, and finally I begged Celine to have a Mass offered for my intentions. I didn't dare ask this myself for fear of being obliged to say it was for Pranzini, the great criminal. I didn't even want to tell Celine, but she asked me such tender and pressing questions, I confided my secret to her. Far from laughing at me, she asked if she could help convert my sinner. I accepted gratefully, for I would have wished all creatures would unite with me to beg grace for the guilty man.

I felt in the depths of my heart certain that our desires would be granted, but to obtain courage to pray for sinners I told God I was sure He would pardon the poor, unfortunate Pranzini; that I'd believe this even if he went to his death without any signs of repentence or without having gone to confession. I was absolutely confident in the mercy of Jesus. But I was begging Him for a "sign" of repentance only for my own simple consolation.

My prayer was answered to the letter! In spite of Papa's prohibition that we read no papers, I didn't think I was disobeying when reading the passages pertaining to Pranzini. The day after his execution I found the newspaper "La Croix." I opened it quickly and what did I see? Ah! my tears betrayed my emotion and I was obliged to hide. Pranzini had not gone to confession. He had mounted the scaffold and was preparing to place his head in the formidable opening, when suddenly, seized by an inspiration, he turned, took hold of the crucifix the priest was holding out to him and kissed the sacred wounds three times! Then his soul went to receive the merciful sentence of Him who declares that in heaven there will be more joy over one sinner who does penance than over ninety-nine just who have no need of repentence!

I had obtained the "sign" I requested, and this sign was a perfect replica of the grace Jesus had given me when He attracted me to pray for sinners. Wasn't it before the wounds of Jesus, when seeing His diving blood flowing, that the thirst for souls had entered my heart? I wished to give them this immaculate blood to drink, this blood which was to purify them from their stains, and the lips of my "first child" were pressed to the sacred wounds!"

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 99. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - The Grace of Christmas

2006-12-24T06:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"It was December 25, 1886, that I received the grace of leaving my childhood, in a word, the grace of my complete conversion. We had come back from Midnight Mass where I had the happiness of receiving the strong and powerful God. Upon arriving at Les Buissonnets, I used to love to take my shoes from the chimney corner and examine the presents in them; this old custom had given us so much joy in our youth that Celine wanted to continue treating me as a baby since I was the youngest in the family. Papa had always loved to see my happiness and listen to my cries of delight as I drew each surprise from the magic shoes, and my dear King's gaiety increased my own happiness very much. However, Jesus desired to show me that I was to give up the defects of my childhood and so He withdrew its innocent pleasures. He permitted Papa, tired out after the Midnight Mass, to experience annoyance when seeing my shoes at the fireplace, and that he speak those words which pierced my heart: "Well, fortunately, this will be the last year!" I was going upstairs, at the time, to remove my hat, and Celine, knowing how sensitive I was and seeing the tears already glistening in my eyes, wanted to cry too, for she loved me very much and understood my grief. She said, "Oh, Therese, don't go downstairs; it would cause you too much grief to look at your slippers right now!" But Therese was no longer the same; Jesus had changed her heart! Forcing back my tears, I descended the stairs rapidly; controlling the poundings of my heart, I took my slippers and placed them in front of Papa, and withdrew all the objects joyfully. I had the happy appearance of a Queen. Having regained his cheerfulness, Papa was laughing; Celine believed it was all a dream! Fortunately, it was a sweet reality; Therese had discovered once again the strength of soul which she had lost at the age of four and a half and she was to preserve it forever!

On that night of light began the third period of my life, the most beautiful and the most filled with graces from heaven. The work I had been unable to do in ten years was done by Jesus in one instant, contenting himself with my good will which was never lacking. I could say to Him like His apostles: "Master, I fished all night and caught nothing." More merciful to me than He was to His disciples, Jesus took the net Himself, cast it, and drew it in filled with fish. He made me a fisher of souls. I experienced a great desire to work for the conversion of sinners, a desire I hadn't felt so intensely before.

I felt charity enter into my soul, and the need to forget myself and to please others; since then I've been happy! One Sunday, looking at a picture of Our Lord on the Cross, I was struck by the blood flowing from one of the divine hands. I felt a great pang of sorrow when thinking this blood was falling to the ground without anyone's hastening to gather it up. I was resolved to remain in spirit at the foot of the Cross and to receive the divine dew. I understood I was then to pour it out upon souls. The cry of Jesus on the Cross sounded continually in my heart: "I thirst!" These words ignited within me a unknown and very living fire. I wanted to give my Beloved to drink and I felt myself consumed with a thirst for souls. As yet, it was not the souls of priests that attracted me, but those of great sinners; I burned with the desire to snatch them from the eternal flames."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 98.. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of A Soul - I Force Myself In Vain to Meditate on the Mysteries of the Rosary

2006-12-20T06:55:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Roses from Story of A Soul - To Profit From My Miseries

2006-12-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"When I am preparing for Holy Communion, I picture my soul as a piece of land and I beg the Blessed Virgin to remove from it any rubbish that would prevent it from being free; then I ask her to set up a huge ten worthy of heaven, adorning it with her own jewelry; finally, I invite all the angels and saints to come and conduct a magnificent concert there. It seems to me that when Jesus descends into my heart He is content to find Himself so well received and I, too, am content. All this, however, does not prevent both distractions and sleepiness from visiting me, but at the end of the thanksgiving when I see that I've made it so badly I make a resolution to be thankful all through the rest of the day. You see, dear Mother, that I am far from being on the way of fear; I always find a way to be happy and to profit from my miseries; no doubt this does not displease Jesus since He seems to encourage me on this road. Contrary to my usual state of mind, one day I was a little disturbed when going to Communion; it seemed to me that God was not satisfied with me and I said to myself: Ah! if I receive only half a host today, this will cause me great sorrow, and I shall believe that Jesus comes regretfully into my heart. I approached, and oh, what joy! For the first time in my life I saw the priest take two hosts which were well separated from each other and place them on my tongue! You can understand my joy and the sweet tears of consolation I shed when beholding a mercy so great!"

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 172. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of A Soul - I Threw Myself Into His Arms

2006-12-16T07:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"I have recalled to you, dear Mother, the first work Jesus and you saw fit to accomplish through me. This was the prelude of those which were to be confided to me. When I was given the office of entering into the sanctuary of souls, I saw immediately that the task was beyond my strength. I threw myself into the arms of God as a little child and, hiding my face in His hair, I said: 'Lord, I am too little to nourish Your children; if You wish to give through me what is suitable for each, fill my little hand and without leaving Your arms or turning my head, I shall give Your treasures to the soul who will come and ask for nourishment. If she finds it according to her taste, I shall know it is not to me but to You she owes it; on the contrary, if she complains and finds bitter what I present, my peace will not be disturbed, and I shall try to convince her this nourishment comes from You and be very careful not to seek any other for her.' "

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 239. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Little Acts of Penance

2006-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"With a nature such as my own, had I been reared by Parents without virtue or even if I had been spoiled by the maid, Louise, as Celine was, I would have become very bad and perhaps have even been lost. But Jesus was watching over His little fiancee; He had willed that all turn out for her good, even her faults that, corrected very early, stood her in good stead to make her grow in perfection. As I began to think seriously (which I did when still very little), it was enough for one to tell me a thing wasn't good and I had no desire to repeat it twice.

I see with pleasure that in Mama's letters I gave her great consolation when growing up. Having nothing but good example around me, I naturally wanted to follow it. This is what she wrote in 1876: 'Even Therese wants to do little acts of penance at times. She's a charming child, very alert, very lively, but she is very sensitive. Celine and she are very fond of each other, and are sufficient unto themselves for passing the time. Every day as soon as they've eaten dinner Celine takes her little rooster; she catches Therese's little hen with one swoop of her hand, something I can never do, but she is so lively she gets it in one bound. Then they come with their little pets and sit before the fireplace and amuse themselves for long hours at a time. (It was little Rose who gave me the hen and the rooser, and I gave the rooster to Celine).' "

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 24. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Spiritual Direction

2006-12-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - A Very Little Soul

2006-12-13T05:41:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Another time, I was in the laundry doing the washing in front of a Sister who was throwing dirty water into my face every time she lifted the handkerchiefs to her bench; my first reaction was to draw back and wipe my face to show the Sister who was sprinkling me that she would do me a favor to be more careful. But I immediately thought I would be very foolish to refuse these treasures which were being given to me so generously, and I took care not to show my struggle. I put forth all my efforts to desire receiving very much of this dirty water, and was so successful that in the end I had really taken a liking to this kind of aspersion, and I promised myself to return another time to this nice place where one received so many treasures.

My dear Mother, you can see that I am a very little soul and that I can offer God only very little things. It often happens that I allow these little sacrifices which give such peace to the soul to slip by; this does not discourage me, for I put up with having a little less peace and I try to be more vigilant on another occasion."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 250. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Virtue

2006-12-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Here is a pasage from one of Mama's letters showing how good Celine was and how I was just the opposite. "My little Celine is drawn to the practice of virtue; it's part of her nature; she is candid and has a horror of evil. As for the little imp, one doesn't know how things will go, she is so small, so thoughtless! Her intelligence is superior to Celine's, but she's less gentle and has a stubborn streak in her that is almost invincible; when she says 'no' nothing can make her give in, and one could put her in the cellar a whole day and she's sleep there rather than say 'yes'.

But still she has a heart of gold; she is very lovable and frank; it's curious to see her running after me making her confession: 'Mama, I pushed Celine once, I hit her once, but I won't do it again.' (It's like this for everything she does.) Thursday evening we took a walk in the direction of the train station, and she wanted absolutely to go into the waiting room to go and see Pauline; she was running on ahead with a joy that was pleasant to see, but when she saw we had to return without getting on the train to go to visit Pauline, she cried all the way home."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 22. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of A Soul - Jesus' Call

2006-12-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Oh! no, I do not have any fears of a long life and I do not refuse the fight, for the Lord is the Rock to which I am raised. "He teaches my hands to fight, and my fingers to make war. He is my protector, and I have hoped in him!" I never did ask God for the favor of dying young, but I have always hoped this would be His will for me. Frequently God is satisfied with the desire of working for His glory, and you know my desires have been great, dear Mother. You are aware, too, that Jesus has offered me more than one bitter chalice which He removed from my lips before I drank it, but not before making me taste its bitterness. The holy King David was right, dear Mother, when he sang: "How sweet and pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity." It is true, I felt this very often, but on this earth this unity must take place in the midst of sacrifices. I didn't come to Carmel to live with my sisters but to answer Jesus' call. Ah! I really felt in advance that this living with one's own sisters had to be the cause of continual suffering when one wishes to grant nothing to one's natural inclinations."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 215. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Detachment

2006-12-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Virtue

2006-12-06T07:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"God has no need for anyone to carry out His work. I know, but just as He allows a clever gardener to raise rare and delicate plants, giving him the necessary knowledge for this while reserving to Himself the care of making them fruitful, so Jesus wills to be helped in His divine cultivation of souls.

What would happen were a clumsy gardener not to graft his bushes properly? If he was ignorant of the nature of each and wished to make roses bloom on peach trees? He'd cause the tree to die, which nevertheless had been good and capable of producing fruit. It's in this way one would know from childhood what God asks of souls and second the action of His graces, without either advancing or holding it back. As little birds learn to sing by listening to their parents, so children learn the science of the virtues, the sublime song of Divine Love from souls responsible for forming them.

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 113. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Grace

2006-12-05T07:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"O my dear Mother! after so many graces can I not sing with the Psalmist: "How GOOD is the Lord, His MERCY endures forever!" It seems to me that if all creatures had received the same graces I received, God would be feared by none but would be loved to the point of folly; and through love, not through fear, no one would ever consent to cause Him any pain. I understand, however, that all souls cannot be the same, that it is necessary there be different types in order to honor each of God's perfections in a particular way. To me He has granted His infinite Mercy, and through it I contemplate and adore the other divine perfections! All of these perfections appear to be resplendent with love, even His Justice (and perhaps this even more so than the others) seems to me clothed in love. What a sweet joy it is to think that God is Just, i.e. that He takes into account our weakness, that He is perfectly aware of our fragile nature. What should I fear then? Ah! must not the infinitely just God, who deigns to pardon the faults of the prodigal son with so much kindness, be just also toward me who "am with Him always"?

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 180. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul - Humility

2006-12-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Really; I am far from being a saint, and what I have just said is proof of this; instead of rejoicing, for example, at my aridity, I should attribute it to my little fervor and lack of fidelity; I should be desolate for having slept (for seven years) during my hours of prayer and my thanksgivings after Holy Communion; well, I am not desolate. I remember that little children are as pleasing to their parents when they are asleep as well as when they are wide awake; I remember, too, that when they perform operations, doctors put their patients to sleep. Finally, I remember that: "The Lord knows our weakness, that he is mindful that we are but dust and ashes."

Excerpted from Story of a Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 165. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese imported from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul

2006-12-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my series featuring excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"Alas! when I think of the time of my novitiate I see how imperfect I was. I made so much fuss over such little things that it makes me laugh now. Ah! how good the Lord is in having matured my soul, and in having given it wings. All the nets of the hunters would not be able to frighten me, for "...the net is spread in vain before the eyes of them that have wings." Later on, no doubt, the time in which I am now will appear filled with imperfections, but now I am astonished at nothing. I am not disturbed at seeing myself weakness itself. On the contrary, it is in my weakness that I glory, and I expect each day to discover new imperfections in myself. Remembering that "charity covers a multitude of sins," I draw from this rich mine that Jesus has open up before me."

Excerpted from Story of A Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 224. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul

2006-12-01T06:38:00.000-08:00

Today I am starting a new blog series which will feature excerpts from the book that started it all - Story of a Soul. I'm calling the series Spiritual Roses from Story of a Soul and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message from our dear little saint.

"O Mother (Mother Marie de Gonzague), how different are the ways through which the Lord leads souls! In the life of the saints, we find many of them who didn't want to leave anything of themselves behind after their death, not the smallest souvenir, not the least bit of writing. On the contrary, there are others, like our holy Mother St. Teresa, who have enriched the Church with their lofty revelations, having no fears of revealing the secrets of the King in order that they make make Him more loved and known by souls. Which of these two types of saints is more pleasing to God? It seems to me, Mother, they are equally pleasing to Him, since all of them followed the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and since the Lord has said: "Tell the just man ALL is well." Yes, all is well when one seeks only the will of Jesus, and it is because of this that I, a poor little flower, obey Jesus when trying to please my beloved Mother." Story of A Soul, ICS Publications, Third Edition, page 207. This book and many others along with a line of holy cards and photos of St. Therese from her monastery in Lisieux can be found at my webstore called The Little Way.

St. Therese, open our hearts to your little way. Teach us to throw ourselves into the arms of Our Lord, casting away all doubt and fear and accepting all that He sends us as graces for the salvation of our souls.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Self Abandonment

2006-11-28T06:16:00.000-08:00

"My heart is entirely filled with the will of Jesus; therefore when anything over and above falls to its share, this does not penetrate to its depths; it is a mere nothing which easily glides by, as oil on the surface of limpid water. Ah! if my heart were not filled up beforehand, had it to be filled by the sentiments of joy or of sadness which so quickly succeed each other, bitter indeed would be this flood tide of pain, but these rapid alternations do no more than ruffle the surface of my soul, and I remain ever in a profound peace that nothing can disturb." Excepted from Story of A Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to always seek to lose ourselves in your merciful heart.

This photo of St. Therese as a novice and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Love of God

2006-11-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

"The love of God reveals itself in the very simplest souls who resists His grace in nothing, as well as in the most sublime. Indeed, the characteristic of love being to humble itself, if all souls resembled those of the holy Doctors who have enlightened the Church, the good God would not seem to descend low enough in coming to them. But He has created the infant who knows nothing and can only wail; He has created the poor savage who has but the natural law for guidance, and it is even unto their hearts that He designs to stoop. " Excerpted from Story of A Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see that we are loved by You in spite of our faults and weaknesses.

This photo of St. Therese at age 3 and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Faith

2006-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

"I have asked God to send me a beautiful dream to console me when you are gone," said a novice. 'Ah! that is a thing I should never do - ask for consolation! ... Since you wish to be like me you well know that I say: "Oh! fear not, Lord, that I shall waken Thee: I await in peace th' eternal shore..." 'It is so sweet to serve the good God in the dark night of trial; we have this life only in which to live by faith." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to accept sufferings without consolation for love of you.

This photo of St. Therese taken one month before her death and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Holy Communion

2006-11-20T06:41:00.000-08:00

"The demon, traitor that he is, knows well, that he cannot make a soul who wills to belong wholly to the good God, commit sin; therefore he endeavours only to persuade her that she sins. That is a great deal gained, but it is not yet enough to satisfy his rage...he aims at something further, he wants to deprive Jesus of a loved tabernacle. Not being able himself to enter into this sanctuary he wishes that it may at least remain empty and without its Lord. Alas! what will become of this poor heart? ...When the devil has succeeded in driving away a soul from Holy Communion he has gained his ends, and Jesus weeps..." Excerpted from a letter to her cousin Marie Guerin

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to always seek to stay close to Jesus by receiving Holy Communion frequently.

This photograph of St. Therese at eight and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Confidence

2006-11-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

"To a novice, who bitterly repented of a fault just committed, Soeur Therese said: 'Take your Crucifix and kiss it.' The novice kissed the feet. 'Is that how a child embraces her Father? Put your arms round His neck immediately and kiss His Face. ' She obeyed. 'That is not all, He must return your caresses.' And she had to hold the Crucifix to each cheek; then Therese said: 'That is well, now all is forgiven!" Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see that we can always ask your forgiveness.

A copy of this painting of St. Therese done by her sister Celine and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Mortification

2006-11-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

"To a novice who was bewailing her want of courage: "You complain of what should cause you the greatest happiness. Where would be your merit if you must fight only when you felt the courage? What matters it if you have none, provided that you act as if you had! If you feel too slothful to pick up a bit of thread, and that nevertheless you do it for the love of Jesus, you have more merit that if in a moment of fervour you were to accomplish something of far greater importance. So instead of being sorrowful, rejoice to see that in letting you feel your weakness the good Master provides you with an opportunity of gaining for Him a greater number of souls." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see that our failings and shortcomings can be a source of grace for us.

This photo of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Trust in God

2006-11-13T07:03:00.000-08:00

"If I am misguiding you by my little way of Love, she said to a novice, do not fear that I shall let you follow it very long. I shall appear to you, and tell you to take another path; but if I do not return, believe in the truth of my words; never can we have too much confidence in the good God, so mighty and so merciful! As much as we hope for shall we obtain from Him!..." Excerpted from Story of a Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to always have total confidence in your love for us and your intention to care for our lives.

This photo of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Gratitude

2006-11-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

"Walking one day in the garden, leaning on one of her sisters, Therese paused to enjoy the fascinating sight of a little white hen sheltering its chickens beneath its wings. Very soon her eyes filled with tears, and turning to her dear companion she said; "I can stay no longer, let us go in again quickly..." And in her cell, her tears continued falling and she could not utter a word. At last, looking at her sister with an expression that was quite heavenly, she said:

"I was thinking of our Lord, and of the touching comparison He chose in order to make us believe in his tenderness. That is just what He has done for me all my life: He has wholly hidden me beneath His wings! I cannot express what passed within my heart. Ah! the good God does well to veil Himself from my sight, to show me the effects of His Mercy rarely, and as it were, "through the lattices;" such consolations would, I feel, be more than I could bear. " Excerpted from Story of a Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see our littleness and nothingness as graces given to us by God. Help us to see and acknowledge the signs of gratitude in our lives.

This photo of St. Therese in death and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Love of God

2006-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:00

"The love of God reveals itself in the very simplest soul who resists His grace in nothing as well as in the most sublime. Indeed, the characteristic of love being to humble itself, if all souls resembled those of the holy Doctors who have enlightened the Church, the good God would not seem to descend low enough in coming to them. But He has created the infant who knows nothing and can only wail; He has created the poor savage who has but the natural law for guidance, and it is even unto their hearts that He deigns to stoop." Excerpted from Story of a Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see our littleness and nothingness as graces given to us by God.

This photo of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Remain Little

2006-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

"A novice under temptation which seemed to her insurmountable said: "This time I cannot rise above it - it is impossible." Therese replied: "Why do you try to rise above it? Pass beneath it quite simply. It is very well for great souls to soar high above the clouds when the storm is raging, but for us, we have merely to bear the showers with patience. If we do get rather wet - no matter! We shall dry ourselves afterwards in the sunshine of Love.

That brings to mind this little trait of my childhood; a horse one day standing at the garden gate barred our entrance; those with me endeavoured by force of talking, etc., to get him to move back, but while they talked I very quietly slipped in, through the horse's legs...See how one may gain by remaining little!" Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to to see the value in remaining little.

This photo of St. Therese at age 3 and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Love of Neighbor

2006-11-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

"A novice remarked to Soeur Therese: "I do not like to see others suffer, especially saintly souls." She replied instantly:
"Oh! I am not like you: to see saints suffer never moves me to pity! I know they have the strength to endure, and they thus give great glory to God; but those who are not holy, who know not how to profit by their sufferings, oh! how I pity them; they do indeed arouse my compassion, and I would do all I could to comfort and help them." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to not be afraid of suffering and to see its redemptive value.

This photo of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Confidence

2006-11-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

"Truly the Heart of Jesus is more grieved by the thousand little imperfections of His friends than by even grave faults of His enemies. But it seems to me that it is only when His own chosen ones make a habit of these infidelities, and do not ask His pardon, that He can say: "These wounds which you see in the midst of My Hands; with these was I wounded in the house of them that loved Me."

For those who love Him and who come after each little fault and throw themselves into His arms, begging His forgiveness, the Heart of Jesus thrills with joy. He says to His Angels what the father of the prodigal son said to His servants: "Put a ring on his finger and let us rejoice." Oh! the goodness and the merciful love of the Heart of Jesus, how little is it known! True it is, that to share in these treasures we must humble ourselves, must acknowledge our nothingness, and that is what many souls are unwilling to do." Excerpted from VII Letter to Her Missionary "Brothers"

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to remain as little children and always flee into Your arms.

This holy card of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Simplicity

2006-11-03T08:04:00.000-08:00

"You are wrong to find fault with one thing and another, and to seek that all should yield to your way of viewing things. We want to be like little children, and little children know not what is best, to them all seems well; let us imitate them. Besides there would be no merit (in obedience) were we only to do what would appear reasonable to us."
Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to always remain as little children.

This reproduction of a painting of St. Therese done by her sister Celine and other inspirational items about St. Therese can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Self Abandonment

2006-10-29T06:16:00.000-08:00

"I had offered myself to the Child Jesus to be His little plaything. I had told Him not to use me like a costly toy which children are pleased to look at without daring to touch; but as He would a little ball of no value, that He might throw to the ground, toss about, pierce, leave in a corner, or else press to His Heart if so it pleased Him. In a word I wanted to amuse the little Jesus, and to give myself up to all his childlike fancies. Excerpted from Story of A Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to always approach Jesus as a little child.

This photo of St. Therese age 8 and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Hope

2006-10-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

"In Heaven the good God will do all I wish, because I have never done my own will upon earth." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

"Even now I know it; yes, all my hopes will be fulfilled...yes...the Lord will work wonders for me which will surpass my immeasurable desires." Excerpted from VIII Letter to Mere Agnes de Jesus (her sister Pauline)

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember to ask for your help from Heaven.

This photo of St. Therese in death and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Suffering

2006-10-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

"Suffering has held out its arms to me from my very entrance into Carmel and lovingly have I embraced it. My intention in coming here, I declared in the solemn examination which preceded my profession: I am come in order to save souls, and especially to pray for Priests. When we want to attain an end we must employ the means, and Jesus having made me understand that He would give me souls by means of the cross, the more crosses I met with the more my attraction to suffering increased. During five years this way was mine; but I alone knew it. Here was just the hidden flower that I wanted to offer to Jesus, this flower which exhaled its fragrance for Heaven alone." Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see that our sufferings can be redemptive.

This last photo of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Prayer

2006-10-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

A novice was grieving about her numerous distractions during prayer: "I too, have many," replied Soeur Therese de l'Enfant Jesus, "but I accept all for the love of the good God, even the most extravagant thoughts that come into my head." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

"I do not well see what more I shall have in Heaven than now, she once said. "I shall see the good God, it is true; but as to being with Him, I am wholly with Him already upon earth. " Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to always seek you in prayer during our day.

This photograph of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Confidence

2006-10-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

"Truly I am far from being a saint. I ought not to rejoice at the aridity of my soul but attribute it to the scantiness of my fervour and fidelity. I ought to grieve because I fall asleep very often during my prayer and my thanksgiving. Well, I do not grieve! I reflect that little children when they sleep are as pleasing to their parents as when they are awake; that in order to perform operations, doctors put their patients to sleep; in fine, that the Lord knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are but dust." Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remember our nothingness and to ever ask for your help in accepting our humanness.

This photograph of St. Therese's toys and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Prayer

2006-10-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

"One day after Holy Communion the good God made me understand those words of the Canticles: "Draw me: we will run after Thee to the odour of Thy ointments." O Jesus, it is not then necessary to say: In drawing me, draw the souls whom I love. These simple words: "Draw me" suffice! Yes, when a soul has allowed herself to be captivated by the inebriating fragrance of Thy perfumes, she could not run alone, all the souls whom she loves are drawn after her; this is a natural consequence of her attraction towards Thee." Excerpted from Story of a Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to ever keep your image in our sights ...guiding us always.

Story of A Soul and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Humility

2006-10-18T06:52:00.000-07:00

"I am a very little soul who can offer only very little things to the good God; yet, it often happens that these little sacrifices which give such peace to the heart, escape me; but that does not discourage me, I bear with having a little less peace and I try to be more watchful another time. " Excerpted from Story of A Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the wisdom in our remaining little before the Lord.

This photo of St. Therese at age 8 and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Detachment

2006-10-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

"One Sunday, Therese tells us, I went right joyously on my way towards the alley of chestnut trees; it was the spring-time, and I meant to enjoy the beauties of nature. O cruel disappointment! My dear chestnut trees had been pruned, and the branches, already loaded with verdant buds, lay strewn upon the ground! It was heartrending to view this destruction, and to think that three years must pass ere I could see it repaired...My distress however did not last. 'If I were in another monastery,' thought I, 'what difference would it make to me if the chestnut trees in the Carmel of Lisieux were cut down altogether? I will fret no more about transitory things; my Well-Beloved shall take the place of all else for me...I will wander ever in the groves of His love, which none may touch." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscenses

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to feel your love for us in every action we take.

This last photograph of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St.Therese Speaks to Us - Lack of Zeal

2006-10-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

"When in the morning we feel no courage, no energy for the practice of virtue, this is a grace, this is the moment to "lay the axe to the root of the tree." depending solely on Jesus. If we fall all is retrieved by an act of love, and Jesus smiles. He helps us without appearing to do so, and tears which the wicked cause Him to shed are dried by our poor feeble love." Excerpted from a Letter to her sister Celine.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see all the opportunities for your graces in our lives.

This holy card of St. Therese as a novice and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks To Us - Love of God

2006-10-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

"One evening, at a loss for words to tell Jesus how I loved Him and how much I wished that He might be everywhere served and glorified, I reflected with pain that not one act of love would ever mount upwards from out of the depths of hell. Then I cried out that willingly would I consent to see myself plunged into that place of torment and blasphemy, in order that He might be loved there eternally. That could not really glorify Him since He desires only our happiness, but love makes one want to say a thousand foolish things. If I spoke thus, it was not that I did not long for heaven; but then, my heaven was none other than Love, and in my fervour I felt that nothing could separate me from the Divine object of my love..." Excerpted from Story of a Soul

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to love Jesus with the abandon of your childlike heart.

A print of this painting of St. Therese by her sister Celine and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Simplicity

2006-10-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

"Be not afraid to tell Jesus that you love Him; even though it be without feeling, this is the way to oblige Him to help you, and carry you like a little child too feeble to walk." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to stay always 'little' before the Lord.

This holy card of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Humility

2006-10-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

"Oh! when I think of all I have to acquire!" exclaimed a novice. "Say, rather, to lose. Jesus, it is, who charges Himself with the care of filling your soul according as you free it from its imperfections. I plainly see that you are taking the wrong road, you will never arrive at the end of your journey. You wish to scale a mountain and the good God wants to make you descend; He is waiting for you low down in the fertile valley of humility." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the graces that come to us when we humble ourselves before the Lord.

This bookmark of St. Therese doing laundry and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Communion of Saints

2006-10-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

"When we are grieved at our powerlessness to do good, out only resource is to offer to God the works of others. In this you see the benefit of the communion of Saints." Excerpted from Counsels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to remain close to you through our communion with the Saints.

This picture of St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks To Us - Prayer

2006-10-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

"Prayer is, for me, an outburst from the heart; it is a simple glance darted upwards to Heaven; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy! In a word, it is something exalted, supernatural, which dilates the soul and unites it to God. Sometimes when I find myself spiritually, in dryness so great that I cannot produce a single good thought, I recite very slowly a Pater or an Ave Maria; these prayers alone console me, they suffice, they nourish my soul. " Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to pray.

This picture of St. Therese as a novice and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Humility

2006-10-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

"I am no longer surprised at anything, nor do I grieve at seeing that I am frailty itself; on the contrary I glory in it, and expect to discover new imperfections in myself each day. These lights concerning my nothingness do me more good, I affirm, than lights regarding faith." Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to run into the arms of our merciful Lord each and every day. Teach us not to be discouraged with our human-ness.

This collection of quotations by St. Therese and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Love of God

2006-10-06T08:10:00.000-07:00

"In times of aridity when I am incapable of praying, of practising virtue, I seek little opportunities, mere trifles, to give pleasure to Jesus; for instance a smile, a pleasant word when inclined to be silent and to show weariness. If I find no opportunities, I at least tell Him again and again that I love Him; that is not difficult and it keeps alive the fire in my heart. Even though this fire of love might seem to me extinct I would still throw little straws upon the embers and I am certain it would rekindle." Excerpted from a letter to her sister Celine.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the graces that come to us when we give of ourselves to others out of love for You.

This photograph of St. Therese's hair and other inspirational items about her can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Self Abandonment

2006-10-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

"I am always faithful, but I am never discouraged; I leave myself wholly in the arms of our Divine Lord; He teaches me to draw profit from all - both good and ill that He finds in me. He teaches me to speculate in the Bank of Love, or rather it is He who acts for me without telling me how He goes to work, that is His affair and not mine; my part is complete surrender, reserving nothing to myself, not even the gratitude of knowing how my credit stands with the Bank." Excerpted from a letter to her sister Celine

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the graces that come with complete surrender to the Good Lord's love and mercy.

This photograph of St. Therese as a novice and other inspirational items about her can be purchased at our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us - Lift Up Your Little Foot

2006-10-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

"To a young Sister discouraged at seeing her imperfections, Soeur Therese said: 'You make me think of a very little child who is just able to stand upright but does not yet know how to walk. Intent upon reaching the top of the stairs so as to get back to his mother he lifts his foot to climb the first step. Fruitless endeavour! At each attempt he falls without advancing in the least. Well, be like that little child; by the practice of evry virtue keep on ever lifting your little foot to climb the steps of sanctity, and do not imagine that you will be able to mount even the first! No; but good will is all God requires of you. From the top of those steps He is watching you with love; and won by your unavailing efforts He will Himself soon come down, and taking you in His arms will bear you away to His Kingdom, never more to quit Him. But if you cease to lift your little foot He will leave you a long time on earth.' " Excerpted from Councels and Reminiscences

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the graces that come with complete trust and confidence in your providential care.

This photograph of St. Therese at age 3 and other inspirational items about St. Therese can be purchased from our web store The Little Way.

St. Therese Speaks to Us -Little Mortifications

2006-10-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

"Another time I was in the laundry opposite a Sister who while washing handkerchiefs splashed me every minute with dirty water. My first impulse was to draw back and wipe my face, so as to show her who besprinkled me in that fashion, that she would oblige me by working more quietly; but I reflected immediately that it was very foolish to refuse treasures so generously offered me, and I took good care not to show my annoyance. On the contrary, I made such successful efforts to wish for a plentiful splashing of dirty water, that at the end of half an hour I had really acquired a taste for this new sort of aspersion, and I determined to come again as often as possible to a place where happily such riches could be had gratuitously. " Excerpted from Story of A Soul.

Oh little St. Therese, instill in our hearts a love of your little way. Help us to see the graces that can come to us from all of those little mortifications that we can offer to Our Good Lord.

This bookmark and other inspirational items about St. Therese can be purchased from our webstore The Little Way.

St. Therese's Feast Day - October 1

2006-10-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

St. Therese, our dear little saint, please fix in our hearts your little way of total confidence and love in Our Savior. Help us to always remember that Jesus asked us to be as little children when we approach Him.

The world today is in need of your intercession little Therese. Please come down today and visit the hearts of your faithful. Let fall on us your 'shower of roses'. Give us the graces we need to follow in the footsteps of spiritual childhood you gave us. Stay with us throughout this day and affix in our hearts your love. +JMJT

September with St. Therese - September 30 - The Day of Her Death

2006-09-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"In the morning I watched beside her during Mass. She did not utter a word; she was exhausted, and breathing with great difficulty. Her sufferings, so I divined, were altogether inexpressible. At one moment she joined her hands and, regarding the statue of the Blessed Virgin placed so as to face her bed, said:"
'Oh! how fervently I have prayed to her! But it is all pure agony, without any admixture of consolation'.

"Throughout the day she lay there in torment without one moment's respite. All her strength seemed spent, and yet to our great surprise, she was able to move, to sit up in her bed. She said:"
'See, mother, what strength I have today. No, I am not going to die yet. Perhaps months await me yet. I do not believe it is death, but more suffering for me. And tomorrow it will be worse! Ah, well so much the better!'

'Oh, my God...I love him, the good God!...'
'Oh, my good Holy Virgin, come to my aid...'
'If this is the agony, what then will death be like?'

'Oh, my mother, I assure you that the chalice is full to overflowing today...But God is not going to abandon me...He has never abandoned me!'

'Yes, my God do all you will, but have mercy upon me!'
'My little sisters, my little sisters, pray for me!'
'My God, my God, you are so good! Oh, yes, you are so good! I know it.'

"Towards three o'clock in the afternoon she crossed her hands, and the Mother Prioress placed upon her knees a picture of our Lady of Mount Carmel. She regarded it for an instant, and said to Mother Prioress:"
'Oh, my mother, present me very soon to the Blessed Virgin. Prepare me to die well.'
"The Mother Prioress, answering, told her she had always understood and practised humility, and therefore her preparation had been made already. She reflected for a moment, and then humbly pronounced these words:"
'Yes, it seems to me that I have never sought anything but the truth...Yes, I have understood humility of heart.'
"She repeated once more:"
'All that I have written about my desire for suffering, oh! yes, it is quite true!'
"And with firm assurance:"
'I do not repent of having delivered myself up to Love.'

"From that moment it seemed to be no longer herself that suffered. Many a time, as I watched beside her, I thought of martyrs delivered into the hands of the executioners, yet animated by a power divine. She repeated again with a fervor:"
'Oh! no, I do not repent of having delivered myself up to Love; quite the contrary!'

"A little later on she said:"
'I would never have believed it possible to suffer so much! Never! never! I can only explain it by the ardent desire I have to save souls.'

"Then, with anguish:"
'I cannot breathe, I cannot die...'
"But with resignation:"
'I am very willing to suffer more!'

"Later:"
'All my smallest desires have been realized...Then the greatest of all, to die of Love, must be realized also...'

"Toward five o'clock in the evening I was watching alone, when suddenly her face changed; her agony had begun. The Community came in haste to the Infirmary. She greeted all the Sisters with a sweet smile. She held her crucifix firmly in her hands, and kept her eyes fixed upon it. For more than two hours the terrible death rattle tore her chest. Her features were congested, her hands purple, her feet were icy cold, and she trembled in every limb. She death sweat stood out in great drops on her forehead and coursed down her face. The ever-increasing oppression made her utter feeble involuntary cries in her efforts to breathe. Thinking to moisten her parched lips, Sister Genevieve of the Holy Facel placed a small particle of ice upon them. No one could ever forget the look of heavenly sweetness with which our little saint regarded "Celine" at that moment. It was like a sublime encouragement, a supreme adieu."

"At six o'clock the Angelus sounded, and she raised her eyes pleadingly towards the statue of the Blessed Virgin. At a few moments after seven o'clock, thinking that the end was yet some way off, Mother Prioress dismissed the assembled Community. She signed and said:"
'My mother, is it not yet the agony? Am I not yet going to die?'
"Yes, my child, it is the agony; but perhaps the good God wills to prolong it for some hours. She answered courageously:"
'Ah, well!...So be it; so be it!...Oh, I do not wish to suffer less.'
"Then, looking at her crucifix:"
'Oh!...I love him!...My God!...I love thee!'

"Scarcely had she uttered these words when she gently fell back, her head inclined a little to the right. We thought that all was over, and our mother had the Infirmary bell sounded in haste to call the Community. 'Open all the doors,' she exclaimed (there were three doors in the apartment). Those words seemed to have a singularly solemn significance at such a moment, and I thought that in heaven our Lord was repeating the same words to his angels. The sisters came and knelt around the bed, and were witnesses of that last ecstacy. The face of our saint assumed again the lily-like tint which it had possessed when she was in full health; her eyes remained fixed on high, irradiated and expressing such happiness as surpassed all her desires.
She made certain movements with her head, as if at intervals she was divinely wounded by the shafts of love. After that ecstacy, which lasted for the space of a Credo, she closed her eyes and breathed her last sigh. That was twenty minutes past seven o'clock. Our holy little sister preserved in death an ineffable smile and a ravishing beauty. She held her crucifix so firmly that it was by no means easy to detach it from her hands, to prepare her for her burial. Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart and myself fulfilled that office, together with Sister Aimee of Jesus, the venerable Infirmarian, and we remarked then how very young she appeared, so that we should not have thought her more than twelve or thirteen years old. Later, on the contrary, when her body was exposed in the choir, her countenance assumed a very imposing expression. Her members remained quite supple until her entombment on October 4, 1897...Moreover, throughout the course of her sickness our little saint had affirmed that an unclouded sky should mark the moment of her going forth to God. And so it befell, for the day of September 30 had been overcast and rainy, but towards seven o'clock the clouds all dispersed with surprising rapidity, and soon from a perfectly clear sky the stars appeared, scintillating with that brillancy that always follows rain." Excerpted from Novissima Verba and Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 29

2006-09-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit her every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"From early morning, she appeared to be in her agony; she had a very heavy rattle in her throat and was unable to breathe. The community was summoned and gathered round her bed to recite the prayers of the dying from the manual. At the end of an hour, Mother Prioress dismissed the Sisters."

"At noon, she said to Mother Prioress:"
'Mother, is this the agony?...What must I do to die? Never will I know how to die!'

"I read again several passages from the Office of St. Michael and the prayers for the dying. When I came to the part concerning the demons, she made a childlike gesture as though threatening them, and she exclaimed with a smile:"
'Oh! Oh!' (This was said in a tone which meant: I don't fear them.)

"After the doctor's visit, she said to Mother Prioress; 'Is it today, Mother?' "
"She answered:'Yes, my little child."
"One of us said: 'God is very joyful today.'
'I too!'
'If I were to die right now, what happiness!'

'When shall I be totally suffocated!...I can't stand any more! Ah! Pray for me! Jesus! Mary!...Yes, I will it, I really will it...'

"Sister Marie of the Trinity came to see her; after a few minutes, Therese told her very gently to leave. When she had gone, I said: 'Poor little thing! She loves you so much.'"
'Was I wrong in sending her away?'
"Her face took on an expression of sorrow, but I quickly reassured her."

"Six o'clock. Some kind of insect got in her sleeve, and we tried to get it out."
'Leave it alone; it doesn't matter.'
"I said: 'But you might get stung by it.'"
'No, leave it alone, leave it alone; I assure you, I know these little beasts.'

"I had a violent headache and I was closing my eyes in spite of myself when looking at her."
'Go to bed...I, too!'
"But she couldn't sleep, and she said to me:"
'O Mother, what harm this does to the nerves!'

"During the evening recreation:"
'Ah! if you only knew!'
(If you only knew what I was suffering.)

'I'd like to smile at you all the time, and I turn my back on you. Does this cause you any pain?'
(This was during the silence.)

"After Matins, when Mother Prioress came to see her, her hands were joined, and she said in a gentle and resigned tone of voice:"
'Yes, my God, yes, my God, I want it all!'
"Mother said: 'It's terrible, then, what you are suffering.'"
'No, Mother, not terrible, but much, much...just what I can bear.'
"She asked to remain alone throughout the night, but Mother Prioress didn't want this. Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart and Sister Genevieve shared this great consolation. I remained in the cell, close to the infirmary." Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come froim joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 28

2006-09-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 27

2006-09-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 26

2006-09-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

Story of A Soul - The Book That Started It All

2006-09-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Story of A Soul- The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux is the book that started St. Therese's 'shower of roses'. Originally written at the request of her sister Pauline who was Mother Prioress Agnes at her carmelite convent, the manuscript was circulated to other carmelite monasteries according to tradition after the death of a nun. It was copied and circulated outside monastery walls and the world was given a huge gift. The book and many other carmelite titles are available for sale on my website The Little Way. Her Last Conversations, from which we are quoting during September with St. Therese, is also available for sale. I would encourage you to visit the web store for all things carmelite. If you like what you see I would appreciate your referring your friends and family. God bless you for your support. +JMJT

September with St. Therese - September 24

2006-09-25T06:57:00.001-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 25

2006-09-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 23

2006-09-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 22

2006-09-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"After having recalled several circumstances of her religious life in which she had been terribly humiliated, I added: "Oh! how many times I felt sorry for you!'"
'It wasn't necessary, I assure you, to be so sorry for me. If you only knew how I floated above all those things! I was going along strengthened by humiliations; there was no one as brave as I in the line of fire.'

"She wanted to talk to me but was unable to do so:"
'Ah! how hard it is to be in such a state of weakness! With you! It was so nice when I could talk to you! This is what is the most difficult to take.'

"I was saying when looking at the picture of Theophane Venard: There he is hat in hand, and to top it all, he doesn't come to get you!"
"With a smile she said:"
'I myself don't make fun of the saints...I love them so much!...They want to see..."
"What? I asked, "If you're going to lose patience?" With a mischievous but grave look, she said:"
'Yes...But especially if I'm going to lose confidence...and how far I'm going to push my confidence....'

"She called Sister Genevieve her 'bonbonne', Sister Marie of the Trinity, her 'doll', and she did this simply to distract us, and not because of any dissipation or childishness on her part. We began going too far in this matter, and she said:"
'We should not call ourselves by all sorts of names. After all, it isn't being religious!'

"Time must seem long to you."
'No, time doesn't seem long; it seems like yesterday that I was following community acts, writing my copybook.' (her Life)

"What a terrible sickness and how much you're suffering!"
'Yes! What a grace it is to have faith! If I had not had any faith, I would have committed suicide without an instant's hesitation...' Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your litle way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 21

2006-09-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"I'd just emptied her spittoon without saying a word, and I set it near her, thinking within myself: I'd be happy if she told me that she'd reward me in heaven for this. And instantly, turning to me, she said:"
'In Heaven, I'll reward you for that.'

"Sister Genevieve said:'And when I think she's about to die!'"
'Ah! lady, yes; at last, I believe it!'

"I said: 'To say that she'll not have any little Therese to love!'"
'He calls me his little Therese!'
"Who?"
'Father Belliere!'
"He had just written her and I wanted to read his letter to her, believing she would be pleased when finding this passage again, but she was too tired and she said:"
'Oh! no, enough! I'm tired of little Therese!'
"Then turning to me with a smile:"
'Not tired of little Pauline too! Oh! no!'

"I was going to do the washing, having two turns to make up."
'Very hard for me, oh yes!'

"Sister Genevieve was asking for a pencil; I needed mine also, but I lent it to her just the same. Therese said in a low distinct tone:"
'That's nice.'

'Ah, what is the agony? It seems to me I'm in it all the time!'

"When drying her eyes, a few eyelashes were detached from her eyelids:
'Take these lashes, Sister Genevieve, for we must give as little as possible to the earth.' (a la terre)
"(She was making a pun here upon the name of Pete Alaterre, a workman, and brother of Sister St. Vincent de Paul.)"
'Poor man, if this give him any pleasure!'
"It was in this way that she was always cheerful in spite of her great sufferings of both body and soul." Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your litle way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 20

2006-09-20T07:49:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 19

2006-09-19T08:30:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 17

2006-09-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 16

2006-09-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 15

2006-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 14

2006-09-14T07:09:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 13

2006-09-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"She was much sicker and her feet were swollen since the evening before. We could not make the least movement around her, such as moving the bed slightly or touching her because it caused her much suffering, so great was her weakness. We were not aware of this at first, and both Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart and I took he pulse for a long period of time. She didn't show any sign of fatigue at first in order not to cause us any anguish, but finally, not being able to stand any more pain, she began to cry. And when we arranged her pillows and her bed cushion, she groaned, saying in a gentle tone of voice:
'I would like...I would like...'
"What would you like? I asked:"
'To cause my sisters no more pain; and in order to do this, that I go very quickly.'
"At this moment, she was looking at Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart, and gave her a ravishing smile; it was Marie especially to whom she feared causing any sorrow.
Since we had not succeeded in arranging her bed cushion properly, for we dared not move her too much, she said gently, while supporting herself on her hands and attempting to do it herself:"
'Wait, I'll push myself to the end of the bed, making movements like a little grasshopper.' Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

"Someone brought her some violets.
'Ah, the perfume of violets!...'
"Then she made me a sign wishing to know if she could breathe their perfume without immortification." Excerpted from Novissima Verba.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 12

2006-09-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 11

2006-09-11T06:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"Little Mother will be the last to die; we'll come looking for her with Theophane Venard, when she will have finished working for me...Unless little souls need her."

"I love you very much, but very much!"
"When I hear the door open, I always believe it's you; and when you don't come, I'm very sad.
"Give me a kiss, a kiss that makes noise; so that the lips go 'smack!'"
"Only in heaven will you know what you mean to me...For me you're a lyre, a song...much more than a music box; even when you say nothing."

"She had made two crowns for the statue of the Blessed Virgin: these were made out of cornflowers, one to placed at her feet, the other in her hands. I said:"You no doubt think she will give you the one in her hands.:
"Oh! no, It's as she herself wishes; what I give to her is only for her pleasure."

"I'm afraid I've feared death, but I won't fear it after it takes place; I'm sure of this! And I'm not sorry for having lived; oh! no. It's only when I ask myself; What is this mysterious separation of the soul from the body? It's my first experience of this, but I abandon myself to God."

"Will you hand me my Crucifix so that I can kiss it after the Act of Contrition, in order to gain the plenary indulgence for the osuls in purgatory; I can give them no more than that!
"Give me the holy water now; and bring close to me the relics of Blessed Anne of Jesus and Theophane Venard; I want to kiss them."
"Afterwards she made a little sign of affection to her picture of the Virgin Mother, first to the Child Jesus, then to the Blessed Virgin. She wasn't able to fall asleep and she told me:
"I know this, It's the devil's malice; he is furious because I didn't forget my devotions. When, for one reason or another, I don't perform them, I fall asleep and awaken a few minutes after midnight. It's as though he were making fun of me because I missed out on my plenary indulgence."

"Should I fear the devil? It seems I should not, for I am doing everything out of obedience."

"Oh! no, I don't have any desire to see God here on earth. And yet I love him! I also love the Blessed Virgin very much, and the saints, and I don't desire to see them." Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 10

2006-09-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 9

2006-09-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 8

2006-09-08T07:36:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 7

2006-09-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"She had not said a word about her day, and I was thinking in the afternoon: Today I'll have nothing to write.
'But almost immediately she said;
"Ah! there isn't a soul like..."
'After this, she began to shed huge tears for fear that she had caused me trouble in a circumstance about which I wasn't even aware." Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 6

2006-09-06T08:08:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 5

2006-09-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series trcing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"You're not sorry, then, to leave 'Mamma?" ' I asked:
'No!...If there was no eternal life, oh, yes!...but there is one perhaps...and it's even certain!'

"If someone told you that you would die suddenly, at this instant, would you be afraid?"
'...Ah! what happiness! I would love to go!'
"Then you prefer dying to living?"
'No, not at all. If I were cured, the doctors would look at me in amazement, and I would say to them: 'Sirs, I am very happy to be cured to serve God still on earth, since it is His will. I suffered as if I had to die; I will begin this another time.'

"Pointing to her glass of reddened water, with a nice little gesture, she said cheerfully:
'Something to drink, little Mother, if you please. There is ice in it, that's good!'
"After drinking:
'I drank without thirst! I'm a little 'drinker without thirst.'
"I was telling her she suffered less during the silence;
'Oh! just the opposite! I suffered very much! But it's to the Blessed Virgin that I complained.'

"A visit from Dr. La Neele, who after having told her after his last consultation that she was close to death, that she could die suddenly turning in her bed, now said: "You're like a ship that neither advances nor goes back," Surprised, she said:
'You heard, you see how it changes! But I don't want to change, I want to continue abandoning myself entirely to God.' Excerpted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 4

2006-09-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. It's called September with St. Therese and I hope you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings.

"Some said that Sister St. Stanislaus called her an angel because of the smiles and signs of affection Therese showed her for the least service:
'It's in this way that I've taken God in, and it's because of this that I'll be so well received by Him at the hour of my death.'

"I'm very happy that meat disgusts me because then I find no pleasure in it."
"(They were serving her a little meat.)"

"At the moment when I was leaving the infirmary to go to the refectory:
'I love you!'

"When the Angelus was ringing:
'Must I extend my little hands?'
'I answered: 'No, you're even too weak to recite the Angelus. Call upon the Blessed Virgin by simply saying: 'Virgin Mary!' 'She said:
'Virgin Mary, I love you with all my heart.'
'Sister Genevieve said: 'Tell her that you love her for me, too.'
Then she added in a whisper:
'For Mlle. Lili, for Mamma, for godmother, for Leonie, for little Marie, Uncle, Aunt, Jeanne, Francis, Maurice, little Roulland and all whom I love.'

"She had a desire for a certain type of food, a very simple one, and one of us told our Uncle about it:
'It's very strange that we make this known in the world! Well, I offered it up to God.'
'I told her that it wasn't my fault, for in fact I had forbidden it. She replied by taking the little plate:
'Ah! it's offered up to God. It no longer matters. Let them think what they want!'

"During Matins:
'Little Mother, oh! how I love you!'
With a pretty smile, trying to speak:
'Let's say something, just the same; let's say...If you only knew how the thought of going soon to heaven leaves me calm. However, I'm very happy, but I can't say that I (am) experiencing a living joy and transports of happiness, no!'

"I asked: 'You prefer to die rather than to live?'
'O little Mother, I don't love one thing more than another; I could not say like our holy Mother St. Teresa: 'I die because I cannot die.' What God prefers and chooses for me, that is what pleases me more.' All excepted from Her Last Conversations.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

September with St. Therese - September 3

2006-09-02T16:41:00.000-07:00

September with St. Therese - September 2

2006-09-02T10:47:00.000-07:00

September with St.Therese - September 1

2006-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today we are starting a new blog series tracing the last month of St. Therese's life on this earth which was September 1897. I'm calling it September with St. Therese and I hope that you will visit here every day for an inspirational message about our dear little saint.

We will bring you excerpts from Her Last Conversations and Novissima Verba which follow her struggle the last few months of her life. On days for which there are no specific quotes, I will select a passage from one of her writings, such as for today's date for which there is no specific entry.

"Until two days before her death she wished to be alone at night, however, nothwithstanding entreaties, the Infirmarian used to rise several times to visit her. On one occasion she found our little invalid with hands clasped and eyes raised to heaven.

'But what are you doing?' she asked; 'you should try to sleep.'

'I cannot, dear Sister, I suffer too much! then I pray...'

'And what do say to Jesus?'

'I say nothing, I love him!' "...taken from Thoughts of Soeur Therese of the Child Jesus.

St. Therese, open our hearts to accept the sufferings that Jesus sends us. Teach us your little way and help us to see the graces that can come from joining our sufferings to the passion of Jesus.

St. Therese's Last Photo 108 years ago

2006-08-29T13:33:00.000-07:00

August 30, 1897...this photo of our dear little saint was taken 108 years ago. Quoting from Her Last Conversations...

"We placed her on a folding bed and rolled her out onto the cloister walk up to the choir door. We left her there alone for a good length of time. She was praying with her eyes facing the grille. Then she cast some rose petals towards it. We photographed her before bringing her in."

I'm having trouble translating the quote on the card. I speak some French but this one is beyond me. Can anyone help? +JMJT

A Big Thank You to Catholic Bloggers

2006-08-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my favorite photographs of our dear little saint taken the day after her death by her sister Celine. Have you ever seen a more serene countenance?

I am really heartened by my request for help from the Catholic blogging community. So many folks are mentioning my new website The Little Way on their blogs. I'm starting to get orders from all over the country. THANKS!

I'm asking folks to post their personal experiences with St. Therese. She's a very persistent saint. I'm sure many of you know what I mean. She came into my life in a big way in 1997 - the centenary of her death. She doesn't let go ! I like to tell people she jumped in my car on February 9, 1997. Literally !

More about my personal experiences in another blog. +JMJT

St. Therese ...We're bloggin' now !

2006-08-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Good Lord never ceases to amaze me. Two days ago I couldn't have told you what a blog looked like. Today I'm doing my second post. God bless Brother Benedict who gave me the idea to throw my hat (or our hats if you count St. Therese's) in the blog ring. I've been checking out what seems like hundreds of Catholic blogs and have had more than a few really good chuckles. I'm astounded at the creativity and commitment to the Catholic faith that's evident from all of the 'excitement' these blogs show. People seem to be having fun, sharing their faith, instructing and learning all at the same time. St. Therese...we're right where we are supposed to be.

Our website The Little Way had a big day. We had 3 orders...thanks to the bloggers I've emailed about our site, I'm sure. God bless all of you. St. Therese...please send these kind folks the consolation of your prayers.

It would be wonderful if you would post your experiences and relationship with our dear little saint on this blog. And if you know someone who is devoted to St. Therese or interested in carmelite spirituality, please invite them to this blog.

One thing you should know about me. I'm a fan of the late Herb Caen of the SF Chronicle and hopelessly addicted to three dot journalism... I'm afraid you'll have to put up with it if you want to read these posts...I've been trying for years to stop ...help...help...help...

We're just starting out in the blog world

2006-08-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone out there...wherever you are. I am new to blogging so I'm asking for everyone's patience as I get this new technology figured out. I know very little about blogging but what I do know leads me to believe that it is a powerful medium to exchange and disseminate information. My love for St. Therese of Lisieux began in 1997 - the year of the 100th anniversary of her death. A local carmelite priest told me that she was 'really bringing people in' during that year and I was one of the ones caught up in her loving net. That's another story in itself for another post. On July 24 of this year I launched www.thelittleway.com. It is a website that I have had the name registered for six years. The holy cards and photos of St. Therese on the website are all published by her monastery store in Lisieux and are considered 'official' images of her. I've offered them for the past 2 years on ebay and have sold her items to many different countries. She is loved by people all over the globe who want to follow her 'little way' of spiritual childhood. In a nutshell, her little way asks each of us to place our total trust and confidence on Our Lord, just as a child puts all of its confidence and trust in its parents. I am in the process of adding books about St. Therese to the site and carmelite gift items also.

The site has been up for about a month now and I am asking for your help in spreading the word. I depend on my Catholic bookstore and now the website for a living. I am buying google ads to help publicize the site. Because it is so new it is not showing up in the google searches.

Recently I sent out 102 press releases to the major diocesan newspapers in America. I also sent out about 25 press releases to the major newspapers in America like the New York Times. So far no one has picked up the releases online and I'm wondering...is anybody out there...?

I am a member of the Order Carmelites Discalced Secular. Our group meets on the second Saturday of each month and we are lucky to have a monastery of cloistered carmelite nuns in Carmel where we meet. Salinas California is near the Monterey Peninsula in California and just a few minutes from Carmel.

I'm signing off for now. Please write us with your St. Therese story...many people have had beautiful experiences with her. Please share yours and share our new little website also.

Through the intercession of St. Therese, may our prayers be answered.