the first glance that the task exceeded my powers, and very
quickly placing myself in the arms of the good God I imitated
the little child, who, seized with sudden fear, tries to hide
its golden head on its father's shoulder, and I said: "Lord,
Thou knowest it, I am myself too little to be capable of
nurturing these Thy children; if Thou dost will to give to them,
through me, what is suited to each one, fill Thou my little
hand, and without leaving Thine arms, without even turning my
head aside, I will distribute Thy treasures to the souls who
come to me to seek sustenance. When they find it to their liking
I shall know that it is not to me they owe it but to Thee; on
the other hand if they complain, and find bitter what I offer
them, my peace shall remain undisturbed, I will try to convince
them that this nutriment comes from Thee, and I will carefully
refrain from seeking any other for them."
When I thus understood that it was impossible for me to do
anything by myself, the task appeared to me simplified.
Interiorly, I occupied myself solely in trying to become more
and more united to God--knowing that the rest would be added
unto me.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X
FROM afar it seems easy to do good to souls, to make them love
God more, to mould them after our own views and opinions. But
coming closer one feels, on the contrary, that to do good
without the divine assistance, is as impossible a thing as to
bring the sun back after it has set. One feels that it is
absolutely necessary to forget our own inclinations, our
personal notions, and to guide souls, not by our own way--the
way we ourselves go--but by the particular way that Jesus wishes
to lead them.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X
WHEN very young, and staying with my aunt, a book was given to
me to read. In one of the stories I saw that the mistress of a
school was much praised because she knew how to get on cleverly
in the world without offending anyone. This phrase I remarked
especially: "She would say to the one, 'You are not wrong,' and
to the other, 'You are right;" and while I read I was thinking:
"Oh! . . . I would not have acted thus; we must always tell the
truth." And so I do, always. Far more difficult it certainly is,
for when told of some little vexatious occurrence, it would be
easy to lay blame on the absent, and she who complains would at
once be pacified. Yes, but . . . I do quite the reverse. If I am
not liked, what matter! Let no one come to me who does not want
to hear the truth.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
THAT a reprimand may be fruitful it must cost in the giving; and
it must be given without a shade of passion in the heart.
One must not let kindness degenerate into weakness. When we have
blamed justly we ought to leave it so, and not yield to feelings
of distress at having given pain. To run after the aggrieved one
in order to console her, is to do more harm than good. To leave
her to herself is to force her to expect nothing from creatures,
to have recourse to the good God, to see her failings and to
humble herself. Otherwise she would grow accustomed to being
consoled after a deserved rebuke and would behave as does a
spoilt child, who stamps and cries, well knowing that this will
make its mother return to wipe away the tears.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
_LET the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, abound
in your lips and hearts._ [2] If we have to do with a difficult
soul, let us not be discouraged, nor ever abandon her. Let us
have always "_the sword of the Spirit_" to reprehend her for her
faults, and not allow things to pass for the sake of leaving
ourselves in repose; let us fight unceasingly, even without hope
of gaining the victory. What matter about success! Let us fight
on, whatever be the weariness of the struggle. Let us not say:
"I can make nothing of this soul, she does not understand; I
must give it up." Oh! what cowardice that would be. We must do
our duty unto the end.
[Sœur Thérèse in these passages refers to her charge as Mistress
of Novices.]
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
[2] Ephes., vi, 17.
THE novices expressed their surprise at finding that she guessed
their most hidden thoughts.
"Here is my secret," she said to them: "I never give you any
advice without invoking the Blessed Virgin; I ask her to inspire
me to say what will do you the most good, and I myself am often
astonished at the things that I teach you. I simply feel in
saying them to you, that I am not deceived and that Jesus speaks
to you by my mouth."
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII
"GIVE us some advice as to how we ought to act concerning our
spiritual direction," they said to her.
"With great simplicity and without depending too much on
assistance, which may fail you at any moment. You would soon be
forced to say with the Spouse in the Canticles: '_The
keepers . . . took away my veil from me and wounded me_,' it
was only '_when I had a little PASSED BY them I found Him whom
my soul loveth_.' [3] If with detachment you humbly inquire
where is your Beloved, _the keepers_ will direct you.
Nevertheless, most frequently, you will find Jesus only after
you have _passed by_ all creatures. For my part, I have many
a time repeated this verse of the Spiritual Canticle of St.
John of the Cross:
Send me no more
A messenger
Who cannot tell me what I seek.
All they who serve
Relate a thousand graces of Thee;
And all wound me more and more,
And they leave me dying,
WHILE THEY BABBLE I KNOW NOT WHAT."
_Trans. D. Lewis, M. A._
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
[3] Cant., v, 7; iii, 4.
THE BLESSED VIRGIN
HOW I love the Blessed Virgin! Had I been a Priest, oh! how I
should have spoken of her. She is represented as unapproachable,
rather ought she to be shown as imitable. She is more Mother
than Queen. I have heard it said that all the Saints are
eclipsed by her radiant brightness as the sun at rising makes
the stars disappear. How strange that seems--a mother eclipsing
the glory of her children! I think quite the contrary. I believe
that she will immensely increase the splendour of the
elect . . . The Virgin Mary! how simple does her life appear
to me. . .
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII
SOMETIMES I find myself saying to the Holy Virgin: "Do you know,
O cherished Mother, that I think myself more fortunate than you?
I have you for Mother and you have not, like me, the Blessed
Virgin to love . . . You are, it is true, the Mother of Jesus,
but you have given Him to me, and He, from the cross gave you to
us as our Mother, so we are richer than you. Of old it was your
desire that you might be the little handmaiden of the Mother of
God; and I, poor little creature, I am, not your servant, but
your _child_: you are the Mother of Jesus and you are _my
Mother_."
XIII LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
O MARY, if I were Queen of Heaven and thou wert Thérèse, I fain
would be Thérèse to see thee Queen of Heaven!
8 September, 1897.
Last words written by Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
VARIOUS SUBJECTS
LÉONIE, no doubt finding that she was growing too old to play
with dolls, came one day to Céline and me, with a basket full of
dolls' clothes, odds and ends of pretty materials, trimmings,
etc., on which she had laid her doll, saying to us: "There,
little sisters--choose!" Céline looked, and took a knot of
edging. After reflecting a moment I, in turn, put out my hand
saying: "I choose all!" and I carried off basket and doll
without further ceremony.
This trait of my childhood is, as it were, a summary of my
entire life. Later on when the meaning of perfection began to
unfold itself to me, I understood that to become a saint it is
necessary to suffer much, ever to seek after that which is most
perfect, and to forget self. I understood that in sanctity the
degrees are many, that each soul is free to respond to the
advances of our Lord, to do little or much for His sake, in a
word, to choose between the sacrifices that He asks. Then, as in
the days of my childhood, I exclaimed: "My God, I choose all! I
do not wish to be a saint by halves; the thought of suffering
for Thee does not frighten me, one thing only do I fear--my own
will; take Thou my will, for _I choose all_ that Thou willest."
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. I
MY Father took me for a pleasant tour during which I began to
know a little of the world. Around me all was gaiety and
delight; I was made welcome, petted, admired, in short, for
fifteen days the pathway of my life was strewn with naught but
flowers. Holy Wisdom well says that _the bewitching of trifles
overturneth the innocent mind._ [1] At the age of ten the heart
easily allows itself to be dazzled, and I own that this sort of
life had some charms for me. Alas! how well the world contrives
to reconcile the delights of earth with the service of God. How
seldom does it think of death.
And death, nevertheless, has come to a great many of the people
whom I then knew, young, rich and prosperous. I like to go back
in thought to their beautiful dwellings, to ask myself where are
they, and what benefit do they now draw from the castles and
parks where I saw them enjoying all the comforts of life . . .
And I reflect that _"all is vanity"_ [2] _"but to love God and
to serve Him alone."_ [3]
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV
[1] _Cf._ Wisdom, iv, 12.
[2] Eccles., i, 2.
[3] _Imit_., I, i, 3.
WHAT compassion I have for souls who are going astray. It is so
easy to lose one's way in the flowery paths of the world.
Undoubtedly for a soul who has risen a little above the things
of earth, the sweetness offered is intermingled with bitterness,
and the immense void of its desires cannot be filled by the
praises of a moment.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV
WE have but life's brief day to save souls and thus to give to
Jesus proof of our love. The morrow of this day will be Eternity
and then He will render to you a hundredfold for the joys which
you have sacrificed for Him. He knows the extent of your
sacrifice, He knows that the grief of those dear to you
increases your own still more; but to save our souls He has
Himself suffered this martyrdom. He too, left His Mother, He saw
the Immaculate Virgin stand at the foot of the Cross, her heart
transpierced by the sword of sorrow.
Ah! if the Divine Master would but grant to those whom you are
going to leave for His sake, a foresight of the glory He
reserves for you, the multitude of souls who in heaven will form
your train, they would be already recompensed for their great
sacrifice in parting with you.
II LETTER TO HER MISSIONARY "BROTHERS"
THE good God has promised a hundredfold to all who have left
father or mother or sister for love of Him. These words are, I
know, usually applied to those who have entered the religious
state, but in my heart I feel that they were also spoken for the
generous parents who make to God the sacrifice of children whom
they cherish more than self.
LETTER TO HER COUSIN JEANNE GUÉRIN
HOW can a heart given up to human affection be united intimately
to God? That, I feel is not possible. I have seen so many souls
deluded by this treacherous light, dart into it like the poor
moth and burn their wings, then return wounded to Jesus, the
Divine Fire which burns without consuming.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IV
IN giving oneself to God the heart does not lose its natural
tenderness; on the contrary, its love grows deeper by becoming
more pure and more Christ-like.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX
THERE are souls for whom God's mercy wearies not of waiting, and
to whom He gives His light only by degrees.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X
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,"_ [4] 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 the tears
which the wicked cause Him to shed are dried by our poor feeble
love.
II LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
[4] Matt., iii, 10.
WE must practice the little virtues. This is difficult
sometimes, but the good God never refuses the first grace, which
gives courage to conquer self: if the soul corresponds to it she
will find that she immediately receives light. I have ever been
struck with those words of praise to Judith: _"Thou hast done
manfully, and thy heart has been strengthened."_ [5] We must
first act with courage, then the heart is strengthened and we go
from victory to victory.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
[5] Judith, xv, 11.
MY God, how varied are the ways by which Thou dost lead souls.
In reading the Lives of the Saints we find a great number of
whom nothing has remained to us after their death: not the
smallest souvenir, not a written line. Others there are, on the
contrary, like our Holy Mother Saint Teresa, who have enriched
the Church with their sublime doctrine, not fearing _to reveal
the secrets of the King,_ [6] in the hope that souls might know
Him better and love Him more. Which of these two ways pleases
our Lord best? It seems to me that they are equally pleasing to
Him.
All the well-beloved of God have followed the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit by whom the Prophet wrote: _"Say to the just that
all is well."_ [7] Yes, all is well when we seek only the Divine
Will.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX
[6] Tobias, xii.
[7] _Cf._ Isaias, iii, 10.
HOW narrow are the thoughts of creatures! When they see that a
soul has lights which surpass their own, they conclude that the
Divine Master loves them less. Since when, then, has He lost the
right to make use of one of His creatures, in order to dispense
to His children the sustenance needful for them?
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X
WHEN we are grieved at our powerlessness to do good, our only
resource is to offer to God the works of others. In this you see
the benefit of the communion of Saints.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
THOUGH I do not undervalue beautiful thoughts that seem to unite
us to God, I have long understood that we must carefully guard
against leaning too much upon them. The most sublime
inspirations are nothing without deeds.
Other souls, it is true, may draw therefrom much profit if they
testify humble gratitude to God for being permitted to share the
feast of one of His privileged children. But if the privileged
one were to grow vain of her spiritual riches, if her prayer
resembled that of the Pharisee, she herself would become like to
a person starving to death before a well-served table while all
her guests take from it abundant nourishment, and cast perhaps a
look of envy on the possessor of so much wealth.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. X
THE Well-Beloved has no need of our glorious deeds nor of our
fine thoughts. If He desire sublime conceptions has He not His
Angels, whose knowledge surpasses infinitely that of the world's
greatest geniuses? It is not then either intellect or talent
that He looks for here below . . . He has called Himself _the
Flower of the Field_ [8] to show us how much He cherishes
simplicity.
XIV LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
[8] Cant., ii, 1.
TO keep the word of Jesus, this is the sole condition of our
happiness, the proof of our love for Him; and this _word_--it
seems to me that it is Himself, since He is called the Uncreated
_Word_ of the Father.
XVIII LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
JESUS needs neither books nor Doctors of Divinity in order to
instruct souls; He, the Doctor of Doctors, He teaches without
noise of words.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. VIII
AT Sext there is a verse which I utter unwillingly each day. It
is this: "_Inclinavi cor meum ad faciendas justificationes tuas
in æternum, propter retributionem_." (I have inclined my heart
to do Thy justifications for ever, because of the reward.) [9]
Interiorly, I hasten to say: "O my Jesus, Thou knowest well that
it is not for the reward I serve Thee, but solely because I love
Thee, and for the sake of saving souls."
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
[9] Ps., cxviii, 112.
IN Heaven only shall we see the absolute truth concerning all
things. On earth, even in the Holy Scripture, there is a certain
obscurity: it grieves me to see differences in the translations;
had I been a Priest I would have learned Hebrew, so that I might
be able to read the Word of God in that human language in which
He deigned to express it.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
WE are not yet in our Fatherland, and temptation must purify us
as gold is purified by the action of fire.
XVIII LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
IT is best not to expose oneself to the combat when defeat is
certain.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX
GOD is often satisfied with our desire of labouring for His
glory.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. IX
A SOUL in the state of grace has nothing to fear from the
demons, who are cowards, capable of flight before the gaze of a
child.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. I
_TO the pure all is pure,_ [10] the simple and upright soul sees
not evil in anything, since evil exists in impure hearts only
and not in material objects.
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. VI
[10] Titus, i, 15.
THE good God has told us that in the Last Day He "_will wipe
away all tears from our eyes_," [11] and without doubt, the more
tears to be dried, the greater will be the consolation.
III LETTER TO SR. MARIE DU SACRÉ-CŒUR
[11] Apoc., xxi, 4.
THE Spouse in the Canticles, not having been able in repose to
find her Beloved, arose, she says and went about the city to
seek Him, but in vain . . . she could not find Him save beyond
the ramparts. It is not the will of Jesus that we should find
His adorable Presence without effort. He hides Himself, He
envelopes Himself with darkness . . . It was not thus He acted
in regard to the multitudes, for we read in the Gospels that the
people were in admiration when He spoke.
Weak souls Jesus charmed by His divine utterances. He was trying
to render them strong for the day of temptation and of trial;
but small, truly, was the number of His faithful friends when
_He was silent_ [12] before His judges. Oh, what melody for my
heart is that silence of the Divine Master.
XV LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
[12] Matt., xxvi, 65.
I HAVE read in the Holy Gospel that the Divine Shepherd leaves
in the desert all His faithful flock, to go in haste after the
sheep that is lost. How touching is this confidence. He is sure
of them, they are captives of love--how could they break away?
Even so does the well-beloved Shepherd of our souls rob us of
the sense of His presence in order to give to sinners His
consolations; or else, if He leads us to Mount Thabor it is for
one moment . . . the valleys are nearly always the place of
pasture, _it is there He takes His repose at mid-day._ [13]
XVI LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
[13] Cant., i, 6.
THE sole crime with which Herod reproached our Lord was _folly_
. . . and frankly, that charge was true. Yes, it was folly to
come seeking the poor shallow hearts of mortals, therein to make
His throne. He, the King of Glory Who sitteth above the
Cherubim! Was not His happiness complete in the company of His
Father and the Spirit of Love? Why come to earth to seek out
sinners and to make of them His friends, His chosen companions?
XX LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
_MARY, breaking the fragile vase poured out upon the Head of her
Saviour a perfume of great price_ [14] _and the whole house was
filled with the fragrance thereof._ [15]
The Apostles murmured against Magdalene; and this it is which
still happens with regard to us: some, even of the most fervent
Christians think we (Carmelites) are exaggerated, that like
Martha we ought to serve Jesus, instead of consecrating to Him
the vases of our lives with the perfumes which are hidden
within. And yet what matters it--the breaking of these vases--
since our Lord is consoled, and the world in spite of itself is
made sensible of the fragrance they exhale. And oh! how
necessary are these perfumes to purify the unhealthy atmosphere
that it breathes.
XX LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
[14] _Cf_. Marc., xiii, 3.
[15] _Cf_. John, xii, 3.
"ONE day when I was in tears," relates a novice, "Sister Thérèse
of the Child Jesus told me to acquire a habit of hiding my
little troubles, adding that nothing renders community life more
difficult than inequality of temperament.
"You are quite right," I answered, "I have thought so myself,
and in future I shall never cry but when alone with the good
God; to Him only shall I confide my trials, He will always
understand and console me."
"Shed tears before the good God!" she replied with vivacity,
"take care you do no such thing. Still less, by far, before Him
than before creatures ought you to exhibit signs of sadness. He
has but our monasteries, this dear Master, to rejoice His Heart;
He comes amongst us to find a little repose, to forget the
continual lamentations of His friends in the world who for the
most part, instead of recognizing the value of the Cross, meet
it with repining and with tears; and would you behave like the
generality of people? . . . Frankly that is not disinterested
love--disinterested love is _for us to console Jesus, not for
Him to console us._
"He is, I know, so kind of heart that if you weep He will dry
your tears; but afterwards He will go away quite sorrowful, not
being able to find in you the repose He sought. Jesus loves the
joyous heart, He loves the ever smiling soul. When will you
learn to _hide_ your troubles from Him, or to tell Him in
gladsome tones that you are happy to suffer for His sake?"
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
THE soul is reflected in the countenance: like to a little child
always content, your countenance should be invariably calm and
serene. When you are alone be still the same, because you are
ever in the Angels' sight.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
OUR Divine Lord wishes to have His court here below as on High,
He desires angel-martyrs, angel-apostles.
XI LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
A SISTER, greatly grieved at seeing her so ill often exclaimed:
"Oh, how sad is life!" But Sœur Thérèse would at once correct
her, saying:
"Life is not sad, but on the contrary most joyful. If you said
'How sad is our exile,' I should understand you. It is erroneous
to give the name, '_life_,' to that which must end. Only to the
things of Heaven, to that which shall never know death, should
the true name of '_life_' be given; and in this signification
life is not sad but joyful--joyous exceedingly! . . . "
Her own gaiety was delightful to witness.
For several days she had been much better and the novices said
to her: "We do not yet know of what malady you will die . . . "
"But I shall die of _death!_ Did not God tell Adam of what he
would die, saying to him: Thou shalt die of death?" (In the
French: "_Tu mourras de mort_.") [16]
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
[16] _Cf_. Gen., ii, 17.
IT is not Death that will come to fetch me, it is the good God.
Death is no phantom, no horrible spectre, as represented in
pictures. In the Catechism it is stated that _death is the
separation of soul and body_, that is all! Well, I am not afraid
of a separation which will unite me to the good God for ever.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
ONE day she said to the Mother Prioress:
"Mother, I beseech you, give me permission to die . . . Let me
offer my life for . . . " mentioning the intention.
And this permission being refused:
"Very well," she resumed, "I know that at this moment the good
God so much desires _a little bunch of grapes_ which no one
wishes to present to Him, that He will certainly be forced to
come and steal it . . . I ask nothing, for that would be to
depart from my way of abandonment, I merely beg the Blessed
Virgin Mary to recall to her Jesus the title of _Thief_ which He
gives Himself in the holy Gospel, so that He may not forget to
come to _steal_ me away."
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII
"WILL the Divine Thief be coming very soon to steal His little
bunch of grapes?" some one asked.
"I see Him afar off, and I take good care not to cry out 'Stop
Thief!!!' On the contrary I call Him saying: 'This way! this
way!'"
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
THE Chaplain asked me: "Are you resigned to die?" I said: "Ah!
Father, I find it would be for living that I should need
resignation, but as regards dying, I feel only joy."
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XII
"YOU will be placed amid the Seraphim in Heaven," a novice said.
"If that should happen, I shall not imitate them; they cover
themselves with their wings at the sight of God. I shall take
good care not to cover myself with my wings!"
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
"UNDER what name should we pray to you when you are in Heaven?"
they asked her. She answered humbly: "You will call me 'little
Thérèse.' ('_petite Thérèse_.')"
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
"YOU will look upon us from the heights of heaven, will you
not?"
"No, I shall come down."
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
"AFTER my death I shall let fall a shower of roses."
HIST. D'UNE AME, CH. XIII
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
[Transcriber's Note: Sister Thérèse was beatified on April 29,
1923.]
O JESUS, who, to put our pride to confusion didst will to become
a little child, and who later pronounced that solemn decree:
"_Unless ye become as little children ye shall not enter the
Kingdom of Heaven_," deign to listen to our humble prayer in
regard to her who lived perfectly that life of spiritual
childhood, and who has so well recalled to us the way.