"Letter writing at the turn of the (19th) century was an important activity for the people of France. Those who received letters from family and friends alike usually kept the hand-written texts sent to them as precious gifts. That is why this collection of letters by and to one of the greatest saints of modern times is so interesting to us today. ..." [from back cover]
Letters to and from St. Thérèse of Lisieux from September 1890 (Novitiate period as a Carmelite Nun) to September 1897 (death). Translated from the critical edition by John Clarke, OCD. Includes 4 pages of facsimiles of Thérèse's letters, plus general and biblical index to both volumes. More Information This sequel to volume 1 contains all of Thérèse's letters from the end of September 1890 (during her novitiate) until her death in 1897, as well as many letters written to or about her. Here the mature Saint Thérèse shows the path of her growth as a religious and as a deep spiritual writer. The reader learns much about all of her correspondents, including her two "missionary brothers," and gains familiarity with the development of her thought and message. Fifty pages of complementary documents give us useful tools for studying the texts.
This book focuses particularly on the self-reflexive elements of the divine and human transformation in the Christian life, which we find in St. Therese, especially her ability to wonder and question herself about the mysteries of God as they relate to her spiritual life and growth. It studies Therese's spirit of critical listening and profound spiritual reflection on the things of her experience and explores her self-reflective and interrogative self-understanding of her call to sanctity of life. The author also discusses how the Saint appropriated God's Word and God's grace hidden in the events of her life. The book shows how, through self-reflexivity and meditation on God's Word, she discovered her vocation as love in the heart of the Church, following which she desired to sing of the mercies of the Lord with her whole life by loving God and neighbor in ordinary things in an extraordinary way and by leading a legion of souls through this Little Way of love, which has a general or universal application to all who desire to attain perfection by a straight and short route. While it is recognized that God's grace works in individuals according to their personal vocations, the author believes that spiritual self-reflexivity helps the faithful to integrate meaningfully, like St. Therese, the general principles of the spiritual life and the example of the Saints into each individual's spiritual life in the events of daily life, irrespective of their individual vocations. And this is why the Little Way, as a spiritual path, can be lived by all who commit themselves to following the example found in St. Therese's simple, humble, and confident way of spiritual childhood--and of loving God and neighbor in the ordinary life and events of every day with reflexivity in love as the key.
Mystics have often used the Song of Songs, a classic love poem in the Bible, to express their intense longing for God. In this captivating book, Father Gregory Cleveland shows how the image of the Bride in the Song of Songs helps us to understand Mary the Mother of God. This book sheds light on Mary’s mystical union with the Holy Trinity, a union that each baptized person is called to experience as well. You can use this book: ~ To pray through the Song of Songs with Mary ~ As spiritual reading to nourish your soul ~ As a personal retreat in daily life ~ To experience Mary’s loving care Explore the Blessed Virgin Mary as a fulfillment of the mystery of the bride in the Song of Songs, showing how the Song points to Mary's life with Christ, with applications to the reader’s own spiritual life
LETTERS TO HER SPIRITUAL BROTHERS COLLECTS THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX AND MISSIONARIES FR. ADOLPHE ROULLAND AND FR. MAURICE BELLIÈRE.The letters cover the practical and spiritual aspects of religious, clerical, and missionary life in the 19th century, and offer a unique glimpse into the soul of one of the most beloved saints in recent history.In addition to the letters themselves, this edition includes an overview of the lives of Frs. Roulland and Bellière, and additional documents relevant to their correspondence with St. Thérèse. In order to assist the reader in better understanding the context and circumstances surrounding the letters, substantive footnotes have been incorporated throughout. Although more than a century has passed since they were written, these letters confront perennial themes familiar to Christians of every generation. Every Catholic, whether clerical, religious, or lay, will discover immense spiritual benefits in this unique collection. 152 pages. Softcover. Photographs.
This sequel to volume 1 contains all of Thérèse's letters from the end of September 1890 (during her novitiate) until her death in 1897, as well as many letters written to or about her. Here the mature Saint Thérèse shows the path of her growth as a religious and as a deep spiritual writer. The reader learns much about all of her correspondents, including her two "missionary brothers," and gains familiarity with the development of her thought and message. Fifty pages of complementary documents give us useful tools for studying the texts. This work has been translated from the critical edition by John Clarke, OCD. The ebook includes 4 pages of facsimiles of Thérèse's letters, plus a fully linked general and biblical index.
St. Therese famously said, "God gave me a Father and Mother more worthy of Heaven than of Earth." In October, 2015, Louis and Zelie Martin will be the first married couple to be canonized together. When they met, fell in love, and married in 1858, their lives seemed pretty ordinary. They worked hard-Louis was a watchmaker, Zelie established her own business making Pont d'Alencon lace-and went on to have nine children. Five survived, all of whom became nuns and one of whom is now known as St. Therese of Lisieux, perhaps the most popular saint in recent history. Through stories, chatty domestic insights from Zelie's correspondence, and running commentary on their faith and family, The Extraordinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux shows in vivid detail how Louis and Zelie created a joyful Catholic home for their family while coping with the demands of business and the daily stresses of ordinary life with their lively children.
“I will spend my Heaven doing good on Earth!” For more than a century, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower,” has captivated countless minds and hearts. Her simple and pure heart burned with a deep love for our Lord, and that love overflowed into the lives of many. She daily inspired those who knew her, and she continues to inspire those who read her story. Her autobiography captures the beauty and profundity of her love in the most tender and affectionate way. Her story reveals how devoted she was to Jesus and how she longed to be with Him forever in Heaven, even from the earliest moments of her childhood. This book offers 99 short lessons, reflections and prayers from the life of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. The lessons are based upon Saint Thérèse’s own words as she shared her faith and her heart in the pages of the three manuscripts of her autobiography: "Story of a Soul." Each subsequent reflection attempts to capture one of her countless virtues so as to savor the “fragrance” of this precious little flower of God and to apply it to the reader's daily life. The prayer to conclude each lesson is not written only to be read, it is written to be prayed. You may find it helpful to pray that prayer slowly and meditatively at the end of each lesson and return to that prayer at the end of each day, especially to the prayers that are most pertinent to your life. The reader might wish to use this book as a daily reflection book, reading one lesson each day. Doing so will allow you to ponder one lesson from her saintly life at a time, so as to absorb the sweetness of her love and the depth of her life. However, you might find it just as beneficial to read several lessons at a time. This book is not intended to be a “onetime read.” Rather, the lessons we learn from Saint Thérèse’s life are worth absorbing many times over. The reflection and prayer after each lesson make this book a helpful source of daily self-examination and prayer throughout life. You who are parents might also find the lessons of St. Thérèse of benefit in the formation of your children. Telling Little Thérèse’s stories will inspire and challenge your children as they grow and mature in their own lives of faith.
