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._[96] 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
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_.’[97] 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
FOOTNOTES:
[95] Matt., xviii, 6.
[96] Ephes., vi, 17.
[97] Cant., v, 7; iii, 4.
[Illustration]
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.
[Illustration]
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_.[98] 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_”[99] “_but to love God and to serve Him alone._”[100]
HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. IV
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 Christlike.
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_”[101] 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
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._”[102] We must first act with courage, then the heart is
strengthened and we go from victory to victory.
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
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_,[103] 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._”[104] Yes, all is well when we seek only the Divine Will.
HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. IX
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.
COUNSEL 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_[105] to show
us how much He cherishes simplicity.
XIV LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
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
As Text 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.)[106] 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
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_,[107] 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
The good God has told us that in the Last Day He “_will wipe away all
tears from our eyes_,”[108] and without doubt, the more tears to be
dried, the greater will be the consolation.
III LETTER TO SR. MARIE DU SACRÉ-CŒUR
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_[109]
before His judges. Oh, what melody for my heart is that silence of the
Divine Master.
XV LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
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_.[110]
XVI LETTER TO HER SISTER CÉLINE
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[111] and the whole house was filled
with the fragrance thereof._[112]
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
“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._”)[113]
COUNSELS AND REMINISCENCES
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. XII
FOOTNOTES:
[98] _Cf._ Wisdom, iv, 12.
[99] Eccles., i, 2.
[100] _Imit._, I, 1, 3.
[101] Matt., iii, 10.
[102] Judith, xv, 11.
[103] Tobias, xii.
[104] _Cf._ Isaias, iii, 10.