Sweet Saint Thérèse

How many of you have prayed a novena to St. Thérèse? We did, just a year ago, and do you know what? She said yes.

Saint Thérèse is one of my favorite saints. I don’t think I’m unique in that, but in my case I really need her! First off, I need her to say yes again…though that story is for another day. Second, and most important of all, I really need and keep hoping against hope that Thérèse will teach me how to love.

I am selfish. I need lots of teaching.

To that end, I highly recommend this book. I think I may have reviewed it before; it’s one of the most-read spiritual books on my shelf. I find the author’s commentary at the end of each chapter very helpful. He chooses an event from Thérèse’s life and then applies it to our own through a series of questions and reflections.

It’s very instructive, and very helpful! And don’t let the words “study edition” sway you, for, as the author acknowledges, “I am not using ‘study’ in the academic sense of the word but rather, to denote a meditative process. Story of a Soul must be read as it was written, with an attentiveness to the inner promptings of God’s spirit” (pp. 36-37).

Think about it. We are tabernacles of the living God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Assuming we are not in a state of mortal sin, they are present in our soul. What will they have to say us today, if only we’re quiet enough to listen?

I’ll close with one of my favorite Thérèsian anecdotes—the one where she “chose all.”

One day, Léonie, thinking she was too big to be playing any longer with dolls, came to us with a basket filled with dresses and pretty pieces for making others; her doll was resting on top. “Here, my little sisters, choose; I’m giving you all this. Céline stretched out her hand and took a little ball of wool that pleased her. After a moment’s reflection, I stretched out mine saying, “I choose all!” and I took the basket without further ceremony.

This little incident of my childhood is a summary of my whole life; later on when perfection was set before me, I understood that to become a saint one had to suffer much, seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and forget self. I understood, too, there were many degrees of perfection and each soul was free to respond to the advances of Our Lord, to do little or much for Him, in a word, to choose among the sacrifices He was asking. Then, as in the days of my childhood, I cried out, “My God, ‘I choose all!’ I don’t want to be a saint by halves, I’m not afraid to suffer for You, I fear only one thing: to keep my own will; so take it. I choose all that You will!

Happy feast day, sweet Thérèse! May you please say yes again.

Ad Jesum per Mariam,