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Spiritual Classics
The Story of a SoulSt. Theresa of Lisieux
Background
• Born Marie-Françoise-Thérèse Martin on Rue Saint-Blaise, Alençon.
• Daughter of Blessed Marie-Azélie Guérin (a lacemaker) and Blessed Louis Martin (a jeweler and watchmaker).
• All 5 of their surviving daughters became nuns.
Background
• French Carmelite nun.
• Died of tuberculosis in 1897 at the age of twenty-four.
• Under obedience to religious superiors, composed her autobiography.
• (Sat in drawer for months after completion)
Background
• “I had the greatest difficulty in learning by heart; only at catechism were my efforts crowned with success...
• The Chaplain call me his little ‘Doctor of Theology.’”
• Declared a “Doctor of the Church” by Pope John Paul II on October 19, 1997 (Apostolic Letter Divini Amoris Scientia (The Science of Divine Love).
• One of only four women so named (Teresa of Ávila (Saint Teresa of Jesus), Hildegard of Bingen and Catherine of Siena).
Application
• Provides alternative to complex/complicated 19th century programs of spiritual growth.
• Master of analogy:• Able to intuit divine significance of common
happenings • Make connections between trivial and
transcendent.
Quotes from “the “Little Way”
• I wanted to find a elevator which would raise me to Jesus...
• I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection.
• One could cross the river of life by wading the river..... or one could simply “Cross the Bridge” already provided.
Quotes from “the “Little Way”
• “I was far from meriting all the graces which Our Lord showered on my. I had a constant and ardent desire to advance in virtue, but often my actions were spoilt by imperfections.
• My extreme sensitiveness made me almost unbearable. I simply could not correct myself of this miserable fault...”
Quotes from “the “Little Way”
• ...(but) in an instant Out Lord, satisfied with my good will, accomplished the work I had not been able to do during all these years.
• Like the Apostle I could say: “Master we have laboured all night, and have taken nothing.” He made me a fishier of men.
“the Little way”
• Perfection consists of doing God’s will, in being what he will us to be.”
• Doing ordinary tasks ... with extraordinary love.
• Harness insignificant events as crucial tools to demonstrate love.
Mystical Theology
• “One day I expressed surprise that God does not give an equal amount of glory to all the elect in heaven - - I was afraid that they would not all be quite happy.”
• “I understood that there are many degrees of holiness.”
“the Little way”
• “My folly is this: to trust that your love will accept me.”
• Story of the sowing basket: “I choose everything!”
The Story of a SoulSt. Theresa of Lisieux
End of Presentation