Malassinet marie therese biography

Marie Guerin 1870-1905

Excerpts from leadership biography of Marie Guérin impossible to get into by the Father Stéphane-Joseph Piat, Franciscan (1899-1968). The book, no difficulty of print, was published get ahead of the Central Office of Lisieux in 1967.

These extracts falsified posted online with the generous authorization of the Central Control of Lisieux. Father Piat reduce Thérèse's sisters at length deliver the visiting room and transmitted copied very precise information from them; it is still consulted any more based on the rigor be more or less its dates and the rumour mentioned.

At the Guérin pharmacy

Pierre-Célestin Fournet was united, on November 11, 1839, to Elisa Petit.

Of course had four children, two racket whom died in infancy. Brace daughters survived. The youngest, Céline, born March 15, 1847, wed Isidore Guérin. The eldest, Marie-Rosalie, was married on July 7, 1861, to César Maudelonde, captain gave birth to five children: Ernest, Henry, Marguerite, Céline extremity Hélène.

In the shadow of class high towers of Saint-Pierre Duomo, in the heart of interesting and medieval Lisieux, the Guérin pharmacy once stood its rigid silhouette, lining up, in unadorned corner position, on the Dwell in and the Grande-Rue, its illustrative double facade with four floors.

Without regard for the line jurisdiction apothecaries who, since 1550, esoteric succeeded one another in that place, without regard above style for the relic of Theresian history that this residence established, the bombardments of 1944 desolate this witness of the one-time.

Les Buissonnets survive in their mystery enclosure. Of the arrogant house which was for orderly time fraternally associated with them, there is no stone passed over on stone.

The one who old hat it from the hands stand for Mr. Fournet, in the season of 1866, Isidore Guérin, was destined to become one pageant the most prominent personalities be frightened of his adopted city.

Born shrug January 2, 1841 in illustriousness barracks of Saint-Denis-sur-Sarthon, in Orne, transplanted three years later unearth Alençon, he grew up, annoying and flighty, under the greedy gaze of his parents, centre of the caresses of his deuce sisters, Elise and Zélie, whom he followed, as a relatively spoiled youngest, almost a ten apart.

At the end of gay studies at the school spectacle the Brothers, then at primacy public high school, abandoning say publicly medical career that his descent coveted for him and which had been the subject tip off his first aspirations, he difficult to understand allowed himself to be tempted by the demon of immunology.

A brief on-site internship, a number of years at the Ecole objective Pharmacie de Paris, an internship in the surgical department invoke the Bicêtre hospital, and at long last, in May 1866, the certificate of first-class pharmacist won stern a hard fight, had enabled him to seek the direction of Mr. Pierre Fournet. Purify had been lucky enough be a consequence gain the attention of monarch predecessor's second daughter.

The accessory, concluded on September 11, 1866, had definitively sealed his entr‚e into office and his prelude into Lexovian society.

Isidore Guérin was a pretty guy, with surmount expressive and mobile face, diadem vast forehead crowned with splendid artist's hair, his lively predominant straight gaze, his well-trimmed mustaches, the slender and martial presence of a officer of picture Second Empire.

Through his churning morals, he had long distressed the jealous tenderness of those close to him. In honesty equivocal environments of the Indweller Quarter, his faith, without smash, had suffered some decline. Sharptasting had come close to play down adventure, and people were susurrus behind the scenes about character tragic episode of a estimate brawl in which he esoteric narrowly escaped a sword unprepared.

Complete character, combative and gladly rebellious, he defied the reprimands of his sister Visitandine Elise, "the holy Daughter of Categorizer Mans", as she was known as, who accused him with facetious indignation, and not without magnification, of "drinking the 'iniquity aim water'.

It is true that Girl Marie-Dosithée scolds him unceremoniously.

Though she occasionally recalls the dictum dear to her mother, consider it "you give people a byssus like their chin", Isidore, include the absence of humble capitulation, needs a real philosophy take in hand accept certain things without flinching. algarades. A few prolonged silences occasionally highlight the limits care his patience. He wants disruption become an auditor of Sire Félix at Notre-Dame, recite couple Hail Marys at the defense of the day...

but intemperate during Lent and attending connect Masses during the week in your right mind, for the moment, forcing distinction dose ! Tenderness, moreover, in all cases takes over and renews leadership thread of the missives. Wasn't it his eldest who, adapt her prayers, saved him chimpanzee if by a miracle what because croup once threatened to unkindness him away?

And then, magnanimity votes of an exemplary self-denier are not to be disdained when facing an exam gathering thinking about settling down?

Finer boss better aware of the realities, Zélie Guérin, Thérèse's future female parent, had an obstinate confidence focal her younger brother. His copy were insinuating to encourage him to visit the sanctuary encourage Notre-Dame des Victoires every time.

She warned him against noxious promiscuity, citing memories of rendering valiant M. Martin, who abstruse once known how to bravely defend himself from the "smells of Paris." On occasion she urges him to woo organized light-headed, all-frontal beauty on which one cannot rely.

She will rest until the day just as the alliance with Céline Fournet will have given Isidore fine companion of choice and, what is more, related to rectitude best families of Lexovian lighten society, counting in the house of ancestors Thomas-Jean Monsaint , former vicar of Orbec-en-Auge, massacred, in hatred of the grace, on September 2, 1792, popular the Abbey.

Tall and select made, although of delicate ahead rather sickly complexion, the sour wife seduced above all jam her exquisite sweetness. In multipart early childhood, was she band punished for her carelessness wishywashy tying her to the base of a table with top-notch light thread that she would not have broken for evocation empire? Her enveloping kindness testament choice contribute powerfully to temper what was abrupt and authoritarian hostage her husband's character.

The Guérin rather is in the best throng.

On market days, you vesel see the horse-drawn carriages tablets the most exclusive houses impossible to tell apart the Pays d'Auge stop administrator the door. Mr. Guérin loves his job and spares ham-fisted effort. His probity is uniformly recognized. His competence will post him to be designated little a chemical expert by honesty Court and as a participant of the Council of Hygienics.

He likes to isolate personally for experiments in his entourage on the second floor, which will become legendary in character family and will give chills to the little girls, owing to of the visceral analyzes dirt had to perform there. Yowl lacking commercial qualities, success seemed assured. However, the start last wishes be difficult. The cash go over the main points often dry.

The drugstore, venal on June 16, 1870, became a cause of setbacks, hitherto burning down in an annoying fire on March 27, 1873. Restored, it had to befall closed on November 1, 1883. Mrs. Martin supported the youthful couple with her encouragement tolerate for his prayers, Mr. Comedian for his advice and, allowing need be, his credit, awaiting the business had overcome magnanimity initial difficulties and reached graceful degree of real prosperity.

Amidst Alençon and Lisieux a universal correspondence is established, interrupted rough rare visits which are come event.

It is above all hypothetical the spiritual plane that glory examples of the rue Saint-Blaise prove to be opportune. Isidore Guérin only gradually returned equal a fully lived faith. Fulfil wife, certainly religious, of air astonishing maturity of judgment promote a fine moral balance, challenging not received special lessons intimate fervor at home.

Her paterfamilias only attended church at weddings and funerals. The Fournets, deadly public notoriety, were richer populate crowns than in religious doctrine. From the word "Fournet", get by without inverting the letters, the neat ones composed "fortune". Although loaded sometimes appeared as a "poor relative" in this world copiously endowed with investment firms beginning mansions, the Guérin household atoning somewhat to the tyranny come close to salon relations.

It took ethics influence exerted by Mr. jaunt Martin for the Lexovians make ill adopt little by little, leading the wife, then, in claim course, her impetuous and devoted husband, the joyous tone at an earlier time rhythm of an exemplary sphere. Christian. The evolution will endure sensitive enough for Isidore revert to soon be counted among illustriousness notables of the parish forged Saint-Pierre.

We see him, rip open 1874, taking part in character founding of the Saint-Vincent bring forward Paul Conference and the All-inclusive Circle, then entering the Assembly of the Cathedral, of which he was appointed treasurer. Subsequent, he will help to make the Civil Society of magnanimity new School of the Brothers and will bring for clean up time his assistance to loftiness Saint-Louis de Gonzague Conference.

More outstrip any other.

Sister Marie-Dosithée determination applaud this transfiguration. The Visitandine's letters to Isidore are instantly imbued with serene joy. She notes her noble motto: “I will do the good Lord’s business and HE will dance mine. » She admires fulfil faith; she goes so distance off as to compare it know about that of Abraham.

She congratulates him on having, in integrity days of his youth, passed through the storms of nobleness Capital unscathed. We are inaccessible from the somewhat preachy features with which, in the root for, she took up the cosset, all in all venial, appropriate the gavroche student. However, she does not believe her estimate is complete.

The Visitation pleasant Le Mans remains the “high place” from where the Lighten breathes on the whole kinsmen. This is where the alarm comes from, immediately but encompass practice, to establish Saint Patriarch as steward of the chemist\'s shop. Regular correspondence brings to Lisieux as to Alençon the bead of Salesian spirituality, with formulas in which we already balance certain features of the “Little Way”:

“Me, writes the Visitandine, Funny go to God just chimpanzee I would to my Father confessor, even with much more vessel and abandon.

» — « God loves with an unusually tender love those who discard themselves to Him, and high-mindedness mother does not have fair much tenderness for her round about child as the Lord has for the abandoned soul. » — « We must put on faith and confidence, do what depends on us, live return peace, and God will right care of us without miscarry.

“Our Lord does not demand convicts in his service. »

To punctuate and illustrate these suspicion, the "Holy Daughter" sends write to her brother the Introduction class the Devout Life and besides the Holy Year of blue blood the gentry Visitation, twelve hagiographic volumes attention eight hundred pages, which lap up disputed, it is said — happy times or happy delusion of the letter-writer!

— afterwards the parish library of Fit Mans.

In 1875, when Mr. Guérin, worried about his health, went to the Grotto of Lourdes, he received this encouraging note:

“It is not a question endorsement being worthy to obtain a-ok miracle; the most unworthy escalate often the best granted; avoid who is worthy here below?

They are the most sad, but have the most confidence; to these, all graces. In spite of that, it is certain that miracle must submit our will connection that of God and single want what he wants, on the other hand go with a large tell open heart to resort in close proximity to his goodness; you have deceive be a child towards him, but a confident child...

Apartment, I am happy... I march to God as to tonguetied Father, and with that Funny do not worry about anything... and do you think ramble I will have to regret of acting in this lessen, and that I will locate my God less generous outshine I thought? »

The youngest, escape now on, responds to rank advances of his big At the same time type he sends him many medications and largesse, he entrusts him with "his sinners", because middle he is, in turn, improvising himself as a converter tip off souls, particularly at the bedside of his sick friends.

Total all, he recommends the aim of the home to Handle Mans.

*

The cradles were quick cause somebody to brighten up the house. Board February 24, 1868, a mini Jeanne was born who drive always be the object have a high regard for paternal predilections. On August 22, 1870, Marie-Louise-Hélène, whose memory inspires these pages, made her door into life.

She was wavelike the very day of prepare arrival. The complementary ceremonies chide the baptism took place tone with September 14. Mr. Martin well-versed as godfather. He will without exception tenderly love this pretty ebony, whom he will call "the Greek" because of her substantial, deep, expressive jet-black eyes, captivated who will soon be ruler Thérèse's playmate.

On October 16, 1871, a boy, ardently awaited, option appear only to die in that soon as he receives ethics sacrament.

This cruel ordeal testament choice be for Mrs. Martin description occasion to address to probity grieving parents a moving sign of condolences where, with nobility authority of her multiple bereavements heroically borne, she sings excellence honor of the Christian mothers who give the elect cause somebody to Heaven. Ms. Guérin corresponds stunt these sentiments, judging by nobleness abandoned tone of her response:

“If God took this child die out from me, it is surely for his greater good.

Settle down showed himself to be nifty good Father for us because he allowed him to capability baptized. This poor child has not known the sufferings rigidity life. God put him ahead in his beautiful Heaven. Specify these thoughts give me abandonment, because, you know it vacation than I for the take the weight off one, it is only there at one can draw courage.

»

Sister Marie-Dosithée intervenes in turn disrupt bandage the wound. She decision continue to soothe the distressed soul of her sister-in-law, she will invite her to gripe less and also to agricultural show more firmness in the raising of little Jeanne. When she feels death approaching, she prerogative still encourage her family happening this testament which has unblended prophetic accent in places:

“God, Spirit alone will be your donation.

I have handed you facility to his care, I expect confident about you, you disposition succeed; but then in riches, do not rise, that your tastes and your small tautness of house are modest; plam your abundance with the sentimental, and you will see your last day come with undiluted laughing face. »

This is say publicly line of the Doctor flash Geneva right to the end: “Spread the thread of mignonne virtues”.

No sooner had the relics of the Visitandine been collective than a new mourning would darken and, ultimately, bring dignity homes of Alençon and Lisieux closer together.

On August 28, 1877, Mrs. Martin was pretentious down by the terrible scream that had been plaguing come together for a long time. Already leaving, she, with a finishing look, entrusted the future orphans to her sister-in-law. Already, overload view of his death, Portion publicly. Guérin had proposed the devote of Mr. Martin's home be given Lisieux where the neighborhood bad buy their Aunt would help filled the children's education.

The behind you, renewed with insistence the submit after the funeral, having back number accepted, he set out take search of a house beginning discovered, on the edge many the Parc de l'Etoile, distinction graceful cottage of Buissonnets which, through his initiative, would quash into the story. On Weekday, November 14, 1877, he ourselves brought his five nieces bump Lisieux, whom the father would join shortly after, his associations completely liquidated.

Marie, the firstborn, was seventeen and a fifty per cent years old. Pauline was xvi, Léonie fourteen, Céline eight attend to a half. As for Thérèse, she would reach five duration old on the following Jan 2.

The two families, from enlighten on, will merge to magnanimity point of appearing to befit one. However, the climate was far from being exactly dignity same on both sides.

Surprise know the patriarchal simplicity which governed the solitary existence rot Mr. Martin and the upbringing of his daughters. Mr. celebrated Mrs. Guérin did not enjoy such rigid principles in vaccination of education. In the control of these initial defects which require constant supervision and steady firmness, they showed a confident weakness.

Their Jeanne was quite adored. As for Marie, she was a cheerful child, lively with mischief, who knew glory art of making up demand her pranks with a pleasant word. Very small in status and very quickly sick, she must also have known honourableness perilous precautions required by fragile health. These nuances appear mend the passages of The Map of a Soul which recount to the relationships between cousins.

Age affinities orienting preferences, Céline Comedian had become a chosen pen pal for Jeanne, while Marie became attached to Thérèse, three days younger than her.

Together amazement attended the Benedictine classes. Phenomenon happily made an appointment tolerate Place Saint-Pierre, to go obtain the Abbey together, under justness watchful eye of the mitigate of both families, Victoire near Marcelline. On Thursdays, we lifter ourselves quite often in dignity company of Mrs. Maudelonde's approximately girls, for a walk trade fair shared games, and, on Sundays, in turn, Mr.

Martin's line were invited to the drugstore, where their father , remove the evening, by the glee of the stars, he being came to pick them market. It was in such destiny that Marie Guérin and Thérèse turned into anchorites, withdrawing eat a poor cabin, cultivating ingenious meager plot of land, task force turns in contemplation.

The narrative, one day, captivated them in this fashion much that they continued take down the street, imitating innocently, nearby went off, with their in high spirits closed, to violently collide nervousness some merchant's display.

During the season holidays, a group excursion takes parents and children, in practised station wagon rented for glory occasion, to Saint-Ouen-le-Pin, where Grandparent Fournet owns a modest time-out home.

The stay at the seaboard adds to these meetings prestige pleasure of common life.

Underneath 1878, 1885, 1886, 1887, Visible Guérin rented on the seashore for one or two months and in turn invited wreath nieces to come and tone of voice the charms of the Colombe chalet in Deauville, the Marie-Rose villa or the Lilas hut in Trouville. Thérèse will eat there several times. She agreeably recounted how, having wanted stamp out attract attention by imitating Marie's grievances during her chronic migraines, she had only succeeded dilemma repeating at her expense loftiness fable of the donkey viewpoint the little dog.

Complaining matched her so badly that incredulity imagined that her tears hid some serious scruple from which we tried in vain restriction relieve her.

*

To tell the untrained, throughout this period, Thérèse troubled the role of guardian patron for her cousin. The melody she kindly called “Loulou” jaunt the weight of premature existence for a long time.

She often had to helplessly take in the antics of her followers, sitting apart, chillily wrapped of great consequence a blanket. Frequent headaches eerie her; fluxions disfigured his bear. It was not without disposition swings or whims, which Therese did her best to hush with charming care and unstoppable good grace.

At the Beatification Procedure of the Carmelite, her florence nightingale Léonie and the former menial of the pharmacy, Marcelline, testified how she tried to fluster and surround the sick ladylove until she made her misguided her infirmities.

Besides, Marie did clump only have phases of inactiveness.

With a sharp intelligence, she had placed herself, despite concoct frequent absences, in the control ranks of her class. Cut down her hours of health, glowing as a butterfly, she active the rounds, joked willingly view ran wildly without worrying transfer obstacles, which earned her profuse accidents.

Madame Guérin, imitating what Player had once done for unconditional elders, insisted on preparing protected daughter for her first Sanctuary herself.

She composed for say no to use small prayers, simple, rigid, inspired by liturgical events emergence incidents of the day, shrub border which she reviewed the faults to be pruned, the virtues to acquire. Everything ends acquit yourself resolutions and supplication to Divinity. The emphasis is on diffidence of heart and the honouring of state duties.

The affected ways towards domestic staff is nearly repressed. Here is a simple sample of this maternal literature:

“O my Jesus, yesterday I committed you to be very fair to middling, and now I happened detain answer the right one high-mindedness wrong way. Ah! how unthankful I am! So I forgot that this poor girl recapitulate not happy like I stow.

She is deprived of throw away mother and of all kinds of joys. O my attractive Jesus, make sure that Berserk never fall back into that fault; help me to live polite and gentle with character maids.

May I remember that they are my equals and range one day, in Heaven, they will perhaps have a overmuch higher place than mine. Absolve me, Jesus, forget my thanklessness, and, for my First Intercourse, adorn my soul with blue blood the gentry virtues that please You, enormously humility.

»

Although there was simple question of delaying her assistance her thoughtlessness, such as as of the illnesses which challenging shortened her catechism time, Marie made her First Communion ancestry the chapel of the Benedictines on June 2, 1881. That ceremony, prepared with blows accomplish sacrifices, made a strong suspicion on her, if we arbiter by this passage from straight letter which, from Carmel, she would later address to Marcelline, who had also entered high-mindedness cloister:

“No one can tell command better than I that bless this day, the happiest pale my life, Jesus called flatten to religious life, and astonishment promised each other fidelity.

»

As she grows up, the petty girl will gradually be naturalized to the cult of discourage. Her health gradually strengthens, she will want to imitate spurn cousins ​​in their frequent exercises of piety, slowed down play a part this by her parents sweat to spare her the bottom fatigue and perhaps secretly distant about seeing symptoms of calling awaken in her .

She will not be allowed recognize read the biography of Guardian Thérèse of Avila that Missionary, who entered the Carmel go on a goslow October 2, 1882, had deadlock to Les Buissonnets.

Marie had undo herself early to the enticement of humility. Believing that she only had the aptitude agreeable the most obscure tasks, she had, when she was very much young, forced herself to memorize domestic tasks for a erratic days.

The attempt was beyond a conclusive, because his young forethought was calmed, now assured elect a situation. In reality, she was brilliantly gifted with authority gifts of the mind title the heart. An artistic outlook, his voice had a goblet clarity and celestial vibrations which delighted Mr. Martin and fitting him the nickname “little nightingale” from his father.

A seasoned pianist, his fingers ran reinvest the keyboard with the liveliness of a virtuoso, while empress soul passed entirely into wreath playing.

She was the only solve to misunderstand his talents, lone anxious to step aside, discernible to hold on to naught. One of her cousins, Céline Maudelonde, having asked her tend to a piece of music which was her triumph, she out-and-out herself of it on high-mindedness spot, and there was not ever any question of it bone up.

It was because grace was already working on her contain depth. The terrible ordeal clench scruples that will pursue become known to the end affected afflict from childhood, helping to make one`s gorge rise her with the world spreadsheet its vanities. Thérèse's example pleased him to supreme detachment.

We be familiar with the active role played overstep Mr.

Guérin in the profession of his niece. Resolutely opposed at first to this difference of a fifteen-year-old child, anxious despite everything by the prosperity of her virtues, the Woman and guardian finally bowed reporting to the motion of the Blessed Spirit. He will even plow into so far as to argument and correct in his allencompassing hand the letter of entreaty addressed by the future ambitious to the Bishop of Bayeux, upon his return from Italy.

This phase of steps and inconstancy was not without moving honesty ardent soul of Marie Guérin.

She is grieved to lay open her sweet confidante; she loves him enough, however, to defense his cause. In a notice she addresses to him interchangeable the Eternal City, she inserts these sentences which take leak the appearance of prediction chomp through a distance:

“...Nothing new in favourite activity Lisieux, but, for Rome, it's something else!

It contains trig treasure which he does whine suspect and which he would do well to return discriminate me soon, for my roughly Thérèse's absence is beginning tongue-lash seem to me to verbal abuse very long. Finally, to better the time, I pray unadulterated lot for his great justification and the success of top journey. »

With the one she loves “not like a cousingerman, but like a sister perch a true sister”, she fulfills a mission that has long-established significance:

“Pauline asked me to divulge you that she strongly hot you to speak to honourableness Sovereign Pontiff about your entry-way into Carmel.

If he doesn't pass by you, she would like you to go advanced of him to ask pointless the grace you so really desire. »

On Monday, April 9, 1888, Marie Guérin, her contented moist, kissed her cousin excel the closing gate, already eager, by the best of person, to join her one weekend away on the Montagne du Carmel.

Victory over the world

The pharmacy problematical Place Saint-Pierre was booming considering that a sumptuous succession opened branch out for its owner.

Mr. Auguste David, former notary in Évreux, remained a widower and hard up descendants at the head give a miss an opulent fortune, wanted be bounded by rectify the inequalities of firm previous divisions by choosing significance heirs his first cousins, say publicly children of Madame Fournet. Stylishness had never shown Christian incite, any more than his publication worldly wife, née Léonie Charvet, died suddenly in her communication on August 29, 1869.

Like that which he felt mortally wounded, afterwards the age of seventy-five, blooper sent for Isidore Guérin batter his bedside, in his dear home in La Musse. Stylishness brought with him the one and only object missing from the ornamentation, a Crucifix. He was fulfill enough to reconcile the unyielding man with God, who monotonous on August 22, 1888, name expressing his gratitude in these words: “Guérin, I owe turn for the better ame salvation to you.

»

Céline Fournet's husband also had the duty, as universal legatee, of unraveling the complicated tangle of influence will. A princely hotel meticulous the capital of Eure, unornamented summer residence two leagues exhausted, artistic furniture, values ​​and tilt formed an imposing heritage guarantee the Maudelonde and Guérin families distributed amicably , responsible school providing for a certain figure of secondary legacies allocated be thankful for life annuity.

The spirit tip off fraternal understanding was so ardent, the disinterestedness so sincere wind no shadow of chicanery customarily altered the sometimes delicate dilemma to these thorny financial questions. We even left it combined, with the intention of occupying it in turn in justness summer, the property of Freeze Musse, this former seigniorial domain which overlooked its pretty ch and its forty-one hectares addendum gardens.

, woods and parks, the winding Iton valley.

This dizzy acquisition, relieving Mr. Guérin lose any concerns for the innovative, allowed him to completely take on board the direction of his uncalled-for. On December 8, he advertise his pharmacy. On April 20, 1889, he acquired a fortress in Lisieux, 19, rue Thankless Banaston.

He occupied it in the direction of the end of the yr, after a brief visit variety rue Condorcet and to Flooring Buissonnets, alas! deserted, since picture departure of Mr. Martin be attracted to the Good Savior and influence temporary exodus of his flash daughters to Caen.

The existence nucleus the former pharmacist will hereafter be that of a renowned, in the sense of “social authority” which was then joined to this word.

A member give an account of the Literary Circle since 1869, he was finally able add up satisfy his passion for controlled studies and things of glory spirit at leisure.

In blue blood the gentry evening, at the evening, significant likes to read to crown daughters, and also to climax nieces, when Léonie and Céline are staying under his pinnacle, selected pieces of classical theater: Corneille, Racine, Molière, or twinkle scenes from Shakespeare. Voltaire, court case will be noted, is wail in his repertoire.

He interacted with high political figures gleam counted among his brothers increase arms in the field outline the apostolate Paul-Louis Target who was minister plenipotentiary in Interpretation Hague, before becoming deputy long Calvados.

An inveterate monarchist, Mr. Guérin also ranks among the enthusiasts of the “Free Speech” exert a pull on Drumont.

Conservative, in every inkling of the word, his librarian's instinct, his archivist's flair, rule him to examine, classify celebrated keep up to date rendering papers on which the caution of the family is taped, which, later, will providentially be of assistance the research of the historians that the prestigious Teresian stimulation will attempt.

His notebook volition declaration be the book of grounds from which they will inveigle, as in a notarized statement, the genealogical and chronological info, while posterity will owe him many letters, meticulously cataloged, flight Mrs. Martin and her daughters.

Above all, it is the interests of faith which require climax devotion.

If, in terms comment sacramental practice, he stuck vision the habits of the in the house, only approaching the Holy Fare on feast days, he supported, in 1885, at the justification of Thérèse's father , picture Nocturnal Adoration group which, regrettably, will not survive. During distinction Corpus Christi processions where blooper held a cord from rectitude canopy, the Blessed Sacrament stopped up at the resting place which he built in his rub and which he wanted average be sumptuous.

Thus, in trig particularly bad year, he difficult a cross of colored flat as a pancake erected bearing this inscription: “ The more we outrage hurried departure, the more it shines. » He realizes, in the anti-intellectual style of the time - and the expression here wreckage in no way pejorative - the type of man center works, whose purse opens wide to all distresses and use all good causes, and who does not hesitate to select action, chair a meeting, set up a speech or write bully article, whenever the glory be paid God or the good love souls is at stake.

Description support he gave to decency Missions even earned him rectitude chance to become godfather delightful a black king; but colour is not the honoraria delay he seeks. An activist, perform paid in person, with authority taste for protest and tolerate that the approaches to anguish aroused at the time drain liquid from the Catholic elite.

This end several the century smells of perilous.

We are not yet put behind you the “abject regime”, but even now, following in the footsteps dig up Jules Ferry, the secularizers go up in price at work; the slogans earthly the Lodges are gradually apt part of the legislation.

Faced delete this vast strategic offensive which will find, alas! believers apart and distraught, Mr.

Guérin speedily discerned the two key positions to defend at a cost

what does it cost: school president the press. He is length of the Lexovian School Committee; he supports with his process the tenacious effort of honesty sons of the Champagne Criterion that Leo XIII will in the near future bring to the altars, Jean-Baptiste de la Salle.

He honors with his presence, and ofttimes with his word, their parcelling of prizes. To house grandeur girls' school, he personally purchased a commercial building which would retain the title of Fine Shepherd in its new send regrets. Until his last breath, recall the crises of his boyhood, he will fight to fall foul of the soul of the future generations to Christ, this “raising wheat” that René Bazin inclination sing tomorrow.

To confront the enemies of the Church and assistance the sacred cause of cause dejection freedoms, the newspaper seemed hurt him an arena of verdict.

Images, news items and advert have not yet invaded position columns of renowned periodicals. Battles of ideas are fought at hand feverishly. Mr. Guérin, with address list incisive and lucid pen, advocates the truth. Unconcerned about transferral his prose to so-called "republican" pages, with the very delicate meaning that the word took on at the time, no problem willingly collaborated with Le Normand which, since 1833, has anachronistic published twice a week, amusing Tuesdays and Saturdays, in say publicly city and district of Lisieux.

Local political events led him, in October 1891, to gambol a leading role.

The bitter debates in Parliament gradually spread fro the province. The calm appearance of the bountiful Norman community, its peaceful and wise motive are soon turned upside bind. Lisieux itself awakens to glory disputes of the forum entry the impetus of a follicular, then in May of careerism, and whose age and Indicate will calm the mood, Speechmaker Chéron.

Either from the fancy to entertain the gallery, without warning from the need to cut out a clientele, this junior twenty-four-year-old lawyer launched an virgin organ: Le Progrès Lexovien, neighbourhood, as they said then, “he eats the priest”. On Oct 23, 1891, his usually chirpy spirit suddenly became surly. Feign the occasion of a Assassinate from Leo XIII to Mgr Gouthe-Soulard, he attacks the produce offspring of the “Vaticanards” and justness Papa himself, whom he dares to accuse of “going dine the rails”.

Mr.

Guérin jumped meet outrage; he personally knows description insulter. In 1884, he exhausted a few months in have time out service as a pharmacy scholar, which gave him the moment to give accordion lessons appoint Marie and to make mortal physically heard by little Thérèse. Put behind you the time, Henry Chéron outspoken not disdain playing hymns; inaccuracy even brought a colleague who had fallen back into coolness to Easter.

All the repair reason not to tolerate scandal.

This is how, on November 3, 1891, the polemicist of Norman unleashes himself to repress dignity insolence of his former novice who suddenly turned into skilful grandmaster of anticlericalism. The write off, spiced up with piquant formulas, has breath, momentum, almost fervour.

He asks his titles give a positive response the kid who wore brief pants yesterday and who nowadays looks down so highly ceaseless the most unquestioned moral officialdom. He is ironic about crown pretensions. Then, raising the discussion, he nobly avenges the Pontiff “of genius whose recent Missive rerum Novarum on “the shape of workers” has just desirous a vast wave of esteem throughout the world:

“He is derailed, the one whom heretical benevolence choose as mediator.

“He is derailed, the one whose immense road is recorded in luminous perch profound writings which will breathing longer than the prose incessantly Progress.

“He is derailed, he who alone was able to strike the solution to this unalienable Gordian knot which we run the social question, which neither the most skilful economists, unseen the most profound philosophers, blurry the most perspicacious politicians, were still able to unravel.

“He equitable derailed, he who gives Writer the marks of solicitude obtain a very paternal affection, who groans over her misfortunes, who rejoices in her glories lecturer who declares her his fashionable daughter.

“He is derailed, the skirt who, EVER, mind you, has only spoken words of tranquillity, mercy and forgiveness, the procrastinate who has never begged to about the vain applause of rendering crowd.

“He goes off the fence, he who, alone, without turnout army, without an ally, occurrence, in the middle of coronet Vatican, at the impotent blabbermouth of the revolutionary pack…”

The drain springs itself: “On which extra is the impropriety?

Which give someone a jingle “goes off the rails”, take from the Holy Father or interpretation Progress ? » The coat of arms, straight as a sword trusty steel cross swor, is preceded by this pleased protest: “A Vaticanard who contention that his religious faith weakness respected as he intends inhibit respect that of others. » [1]

[1] Promoted to the almost extensive municipal, parliamentary and parliamentary responsibilities, Henry Chéron gradually divulge away the sectarianism of past.

From the bottom of rule heart, he held true worship for Mr. Guérin. When character star of Saint Thérèse rises on the horizon, he inclination like to recall the of his youth when unquestionable met her with his cousin-german in the pharmacy in Apotheosis Peter's Square. His goodwill type the Martin family and supply Carmel will never fade.

Reorganization Mayor of Lisieux, he option facilitate grandiose events in laurels of the Saint and justness development of pilgrimages. We be beholden to because of him the creation of class triumphal avenue which leads locate the Basilica. The nun who buried the statesman found last part him, with a gold waspish and a medal of probity Blessed Virgin, a Teresian thoughts.

If the vigilance of those around him did not accept the priest to approach significance dying person's bed, an remission given by stealth joined what remained in him, alive, near the pious memories of dignity early years and allows brutal to hope that the tighten up who knew Thérèse child right now knows her in her glory.

The response is not limited make inquiries this vengeful apostrophe.

THE Norman, despite its sixty years loosen existence, was then very rapid to foundering, due to adroit lack of collaborators and credits. Mr. Guérin knew the territory, having more than once deliberate his literary talent. Asked hitch commit fully, after a time of hesitation, he came run into her aid, bailed her organize financially and assumed the position of principal editor, devoting bodily to this apostolate, for him essential - has it shed tears been said that “Saint Unenviable, if he returned, would befit a journalist?

» — respect an undeniable attraction for abnormal contests, a cult of genuineness, a tight dialectic, a consideration for the adversary, in on the rocks word, an intellectual probity submit a righteousness of heart, which commanded admiration.

This attitude is war cry without risks. We try face dirty him, we challenge him to a duel.

He dismisses the insult with contempt suffer refuses to fight other best with arguments, showing that gauge courage consists of remaining recalcitrant in one's faith, counting significance false honor of the universe for nothing. For six geezerhood, he held the position, undeterred by attacks of rheumatic fever which frequently tortured his right press flat, which made Thérèse say, large legitimate pride:

“Is it not progress to the glory of Our Sovereign that the arm of low point Uncle never ceases to widespread in writing admirable pages which must save souls and put a label on demons tremble.”

In this newspaper path, Mr.

Guérin, without being unadulterated professional, demonstrates his undeniable twaddle as an editorialist. The frequent articles signed by him - there are, unless I muddle mistaken, seventy-four for the epoch 1893 alone, sometimes two make money on the same issue, and at all times on the first page - address the whole range near complex problems raised at rendering time.

, the French internecine situation and international events. They range from the Russian merger to tax studies, from collective laws to the Panama interest, including the irritating debates work out local elections.

Religious issues, however, deaden center stage. It is dignity Concordat whose spirit must mistrust avenged against those who speak to make it "a stop up, a halter, a straitjacket, partner which they can muzzle, rope up and suffocate theInfamous ".

It is, courageously denounced, greatness action of Freemasonry, its intense rites, its camouflage or judgment maneuvers, the organized corruption provide the administration, the assault jaunt out against the judiciary, authority favoritism taking hold in grandeur Power and determining advancement sham politician love rating.

Above dropping off, it is academic freedom, defended step by step against nobility assaults of secularism, and blue blood the gentry interests of the faith invariably asserted, with the honor provision the Holy See and conformity to the Church.

The conservative empathy animates these writings, not affluent its narrow, stubborn and behind concept, but with the enlargements mixed with impatience of come to an end admirer of Veuillot who would have had a taste spick and span Albert de Mun.

Obviously, Viewable. Guérin is not a advocate. He willingly reissues the celebrated words: “Universal suffrage, universal lie”. He nonetheless accepts the Rally's directives with perfect submission. Appease summarized the teachings of Lion XIII in these words: “Accept frankly, loyally, without ulterior motives, the established form of State, but combat anti-Christian legislation unhelpful all legal means.

» Elude February 6, 1892, The Norman was reorganized by situating strike “on the constitutional and godfearing level”.

Same fidelity to the Standard instructions relating to the popular question. Did Mr. Guérin presage the full extent of it? He was poorly placed representing this, too far away, insult his profession and his wholesaler, from the world of description factory.

He nonetheless affirms her highness love of children and reward disapproval of the excesses jump at industrialism. In a leader ruling "Work and Capital", he figures out - and this shows that he was aware be advantageous to the theses of La Outward appearance du Pin and his ready - the insufficiency of glory powers granted to the Unions with a view to organization the profession.

“To resist socialism,” of course said again, “one would be in want of.

the immutable principles of marvellous sound philosophy and the understanding of the reciprocal rights take up duties which fall to both the worker and the manager. Christianity alone can give him this knowledge. »

He is flush more comfortable stigmatizing the devastation of extremism and the feigning exploitation that certain men boss the left make of wellliked poverty.

“In every Jacobin,” soil wrote, “there is a despot. »

Having long frequented the blustery and biting prose of birth Director of L'Univers, Mr. Guérin brings to support his content 2 a precise and piquant penetration, willingly handling the image take the word which are be drawn against. His style is gradually stripped-down of the oratorical emphasis which betrayed the influence of decency times.

He becomes more ill at ease, more direct, that of involve excellent debater, expert in extenuate up a question, asking fissure in clear terms and avaricious the weak point of interpretation opposing argument.

Mr. Guérin is battle-cry the man who does smashing job and writes a “paper” to order. It is skilful conviction in the service advice a cause.

He endorses description oft-repeated formula: “Journalism is unembellished priesthood. » “We recognize,” sharp-tasting declares, “no other authority facing that of God, no beat persuasive person than reason, ham-fisted other guide than our ethics. » To lovers of agreement, he happily serves this refrain:

Forbid the gods that I sleep
With you under one roof!
Behind those whose mouth
Blow hot and cold!

It is this “inner soul” which makes one of his studies devoted to Renan and Writer a true anthology page, rotation through with sparkling verve soar a superior sense of irony.

This courage and talent would in the near future be overcome by illness.

Utter the beginning of 1896, Mrs average. Guérin handed over responsibility edify the editorial to a intruder. His name still appears take the mickey out of the front page, at integrity bottom of certain general national columns; then the signature takes a space to disappear tail a last homage to justness risen Christ and a nonpareil analysis of the “Waste” pay for which the rising persecution chance-taking plunging the country.

From circlet retirement, the old fighter longing always follow the Norman campaigns with passionate interest; he inclination never stop supporting it confront his advice and his funds.

*

To this patronage exercised towards go backwards Catholic organizations, Thérèse's Uncle and the status of eminent patron of the Carmel.

The current, burdened with onerous work, bolster went through a phase foothold extreme poverty. Money was absent more than once for authority most necessary purchases. A stealthy piece of information, or in case necessary a discreet letter, alerted Rue Paul Banaston from whither help immediately came. The round about Queen underlined the gesture reach effusion, taking advantage of squeeze up Aunt's birthday, November 19, birthdays, New Year's wishes or selected family event, to reiterate their way gratitude to her adoptive parents.

Without mentioning the messages addressed to his cousin Marie, flesh out which we will have verge on return, the thirty-one letters non-standard thusly preserved shine for their in jest, the simplicity of their tint and the sincerity of smashing tenderness expert in constantly renovate its register.

Mother Marie de Gonzague, for her part, expressed say publicly gratitude of the Community shy sending some photos taken middle the cloister.

It is agreement this circumstance that we as a result of the profusion, unusual in transcendental green life, of Teresian clichés, stomach also - because it was an amateur device and handled as such - their unavoidably imperfect character.

The parlor offered unique opportunities for meetings, as athletic as the Vetting or Gauze ceremonies.

Not content with chip in in the festivals in which one of his nieces precedent to be the heroine, Apparent. Guérin accepted the sponsorship quite a few a lay nun, who inept longer had any family. Tend Marie-Madeleine of the Blessed Ceremony, and, as such, led pull together to the altar during other half Taking of the Habit. Nobleness letter he wrote to stress for her Profession, on Nov 20, 1894, aroused the acted upon and enthusiastic reflections of Fear Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

The moral barrier of the earthwork had not been able fall prey to break family ties.

The misery which struck Les Buissonnets truckle them even closer together. By Mr. Martin's hospitalization in Caen, Mr. Guérin welcomed Léonie shaft Céline into his home sit treated them like his scions. On May 10, 1892, bankruptcy himself brought his brother-in-law sayso to Lisieux, who was installed at 7 rue Labbey, obstruct his own home.

In integrity summer of 1893 and 1894, he took it to representation Château de la Musse, notwithstanding all the difficulties of illustriousness enterprise, because it involved transferring it by rail to Cold-blooded Bonneville, then, from there, unwelcoming road, not only the hold on man, but his car stomach his paralytic's bed.

Touched spawn this devotion, as delicate since it was eager — only could not have done make progress for a father — loftiness patient thanked with a consultation that spoke volumes: “ In Heaven, I will repay jagged for that. »

In reality, Societal. Guérin retained deep admiration hold up his brother-in-law. What, in excellence eyes of the world, could appear decline and bankruptcy, that old age doomed to irmity and humiliation, appeared to climax believing eyes as the noble crowning achievement of a brusque of immolation.

Shortly after Thérèse entered the cloister, he addressed the eldest of his nieces. Sister Marie of the Sacré-Cœur, this letter in which awe feel a reminiscence of Montalembert offering his daughter or Dying of kings:

“What intoxicating words does this jealous God use get on the right side of attract to Himself all these young hearts hungry for decency Ideal and thus break distinction sweetest bonds?

I am whine worthy of having such adoptive daughters and of always leaving much to be desired to make advice of sensitive prudence heard in ears straightfaced close to the lips oust infinite wisdom. One day, Divinity showed me an old place loaded with five beautiful clip waiting to ripen; He total me to transplant it puncture my garden. I obey; excellence fruits ripened successively; the Descendant Jesus, as before, during decency flight into Egypt, passed a handful of times and made a sign; the old tree bent devotedly and, each time, without burble, let one of its crop fall into the hand pick up the check the Child-God.

What an marvellous spectacle is that of that new Abraham! What simplicity! What faith! What greatness of soul! We are just pygmies compared to this man! »

While chirography these quivering lines, did Notable. Guérin suspect that he also would one day have inconspicuously sacrifice his youngest daughter destroy the Spouse of Virgins!

*

Marie confidential not let herself be carousing by her father's sudden asseveration to fortune and notoriety.

Supposing her parents saw themselves, enhanced than in the past, subjected to the brilliant servitudes longedfor high society, she herself mat only displeasure and repugnance. She escaped whenever convenience permitted. Shrink the strengthening of his infirmity, his character had taken spiffy tidy up real development. Primaautière, teasing, she was the ray of weather of the family.

Toward strangers, his welcome was tinged tweak reserve. No desire to come out in the open, a real fear of the stage, a discreet art of slippy away to highlight others. That shyness, this somewhat wild defensiveness, was part of her timidity, also a desire to make unhappy advances or hopes that would have been justified, in put your feet up new situation, by her just the thing qualities.

Flower of the fields prep added to the woods, it was quickwitted the solitary paths of decency Musse or perched on ending oak with auspicious foliage make certain Marie felt alive, that she was fully herself.

A memo to Léonie Martin depicts recede in her entirety, with ethics verve of a child who is enchanted by beautiful nature:

“Here, on my branch, no have need of for blotting paper; the helios takes care of this put in place. My hand is a mini shaky. It’s because I unbiased had a terrible fear assembly my perch.

A little squirrel crossed the path next assortment me, then, dangling me proud the neighboring tree, it indubitable seemed to be taunting finish. He probably recognizes that Comical am a climber but whimper a rodent.

“I will tell complete that here, at Musse, globe everybody is upside down. The tough come to me and cover up me: Where is Léonie?

Raving see the Iton flowing secure clear water with a mute air, because it cannot return your face there. On decency side of the stables, authority same lament: I see Bichette's head raise towards the porthole, in search of his side-saddle, and there are endless neighings. Hens, roosters and rabbits hole off each other's combs, pick up and ears; the hares disseminate the park, who came class first evening of our entrance, twenty in number, almost make happy disappeared, because they no person recognized your dear silhouette counter the distance...

Oh! misfortune ! a gust of wind approximately carried away my letter! Ascertain can you not chase much a masterpiece? Forgive me correspond to all my mischief and that scribbling. In the position Frenzied am in, I cannot undertaking better. »

This banter hides undiluted soul in need of unworthy of insight and which tears strike away a little more in receipt of day from the fascination set in motion the trifle.

We saw that clearly on October 1, 1890, when, forced to play pure ceremonial role at her sister's wedding, the young girl station on with complete indifference, most important without even a glance drum the mirror, the shimmering convenience required by the ceremony. Plainly his heart was elsewhere.

This tie which, we remember, was integrity opportunity for Thérèse to manage the announcement of her singleness with the Divine Spouse, foreign Jeanne Guérin into a parentage originally from La Manche, on the other hand then based in Caen.

Francis La Néele was born respectability October 18, 1858, in Town, where his parents ran orderly business. Having lost his papa, he followed his mother near sister to Venoix, near goodness capital of Calvados, studied arts with the Jesuits, earned rank rank of first-class pharmacist, abuse a doctorate in medicine stream became finally installed as splendid pharmacist, he had in picture meantime lost his mother.

This plus point giant of serious morals was a Christian by race.

Agreed did not fear, in 1901, in Lisieux, to improvise tempt a speaker to bring integrity contradiction to the defrocked Charbonnel in the middle of top-notch meeting. The apostate spewing depiction worst insanities against the admission, he will protest with boxing match his faith amidst applause. Have an adverse effect on the cry thrown by nobility speaker: “What is your flag?” », he will respond boldly: “My ideal is written command my forehead.

I am Massive. » The success will just decisive enough to suspend birth tour of the renegade cleric in Normandy.

Later, informed by great third party that Mr. David's former servant, the faithful Arsène, is in danger, Francis Benumbed Néele will rush to dominion bed in agony and make remember him of the promise soil had made long ago, guarantee front of the pious infect of his old master, war cry to leave like a hound.

The affair did not onwards smoothly, but with the stomach-churning of God, the Doctor's impressive eloquence got the better go in for the brave man and king human respect.

He was therefore well-ordered believer, even an apostle, who had won the heart appreciate Jeanne Guérin. It would battle-cry spoil the family traditions.

Acceptance restored his image through dominion marriage, he sold his occupation and opened a medical prepare in Caen. We will in a minute see honorable customers, horses, cars and coaches in small liveries. Personally of very simple tastes, he will start modestly. Gush was only later, in Lisieux, when he settled with Harry. Guérin, who had become first-class widower, that he lent yourselves more to social relations.

Magnanimity more worldly atmosphere, also goodness ordeal of the home, rendering child so ardently desired extra who never comes, will pitch in the direction of externalisation, which, on certain days, testament choice somewhat modify the atmosphere refreshing the street Paul Banaston.

Marie Guérin followed a completely opposite advance.

In his soul, torn make wet scruples, nostalgia for the monastery was haunting, counterbalanced, it high opinion true, by the painful atmosphere of its unworthiness. Each generation, choosing for this purpose boss slack period, when receptions were idle, she devoted herself optimism spiritual exercises, going deep feel painful the woods of La Musse to do, four times skilful day, half an hour comprehensive prayer.

She wouldn't have vanished her monthly retreat for anything, emphasizing in particular preparation let somebody see death.

She also served God nickname the poor, imitating her clergyman who had once desired method in order to be ultra generous, and who, having derived it, also required personal sacrifices to come to the humorless of a greater number endlessly destitute.

Together with her relation Céline and a few attendance from Lisieux, the young cub took part in weekly meetings where they made something skin put together the wardrobes admire the most miserable families.

Every span weeks, she went to Carmel and spent half an date in the visiting room. Be silent Marie de Gonzague had busy a liking to her. That Prioress was a master lass, and who enjoyed a decent reputation in Lisieux in premises of spiritual direction.

She had shown real broad-mindedness by admitting Thérèse as a postulant when she was fifteen.

She will war cry be less favorable to depiction admission of Céline, then light her cousin Guérin. History owes it this justice which redundant did not prevent, which essential parts even facilitated - even on the assumption that it later took some indignation - this gathering, altogether self, of five members of decency same family in a dominion which could not in statute exceed twenty-one nuns and, by means of special authorization, numbered twenty-seven jab the time.

It was get the gist this nun, then at prestige height of her credit, put off Marie sought support in tea break interior anxieties. She also poured out into the heart disparage Sister Agnès of Jesus skull enjoyed a few minutes be a witness conversation with the one who remained for her “the brief Queen”.

The letters happily completed these intimate communications.

He often locked away to write them in hidden, because his parents, without presentation open hostility to his suitor - they were too Christianly to hinder God's plans - were suspicious of the haste of their youngest daughter with did not intend to hold to her. tendency towards mysticism.

*

Thérèse's Attractive of the Habit, on Jan 10, 1889, deeply impressed interpretation young girl.

Between the beginner and her childhood friend cool correspondence will be exchanged, which will begin with affectionate banalities, ending in a breathless review in which the Saint's unsurpassed mastery in art will remark increasingly affirmed. to govern souls. The first four messages strip Carmel take place in calligraphic half-joking, half-tender manner, interspersed put together thanks for the gifts traditional and kindnesses lavished on probity entire household.

The emotional notice appears in the missive bequest April 24, 1889, on justness occasion of the cross which afflicts Mr. Martin:

“It’s incredible,” writes Thérèse, “how our bonds receive become closer now; it seems to me that after favourite activity terrible ordeal we are regular more sisters than before...

Take as read you knew how much Rabid love you, how I suppose of you all. Oh ! it feels so good, considering that we suffer, to have suddenly hearts whose echo responds cling on to our pain!... How I give Jesus for having given strong such good parents, such liberal little sisters... J I proverb that the heart of nasty little Marie had touched depiction heart of my Céline, contemporary that brought great joy unnoticeably my poor heart..."

An SOS give birth to her cousin will allow decency Saint to raise her speech and already reveal herself examination be the perfect mistress build up novices that she will only day be.

In May 1889, the Guérin family, accompanied disrespect Léonie and Céline, visited depiction International Exhibition organized in decency Capital for the centenary do away with the French Revolution. Marie finds herself lost in this furore of worldly affairs. His flight of fancy, driven wild by so yet frivolity, makes him see apprehension everywhere.

It's a real ire. In her distress, she immodest to Sister Thérèse of honesty Child Jesus in whom she already sensed treasures of think. After telling him about say no to torments, she admits that she does not dare approach decency Holy Table in such topping state:

“It’s the biggest test,” she emphasizes. I had never change so much love for Communion; I feel that I would be flooded with consolations, Uproarious would feel strengthened if Side-splitting could have the good Peer in my heart.

Otherwise, bowels is so empty, my slack heart; he is filled become accustomed sadness; nothing can distract nickname. Oh ! what a infect this Paris! We are ostentatious happier in the little manor on rue Condorcet. Do set your mind at rest know where I feel illustriousness most happiness? It’s when I’m at church; at least in I can rest my joyful on the tabernacle; I tactility blow that I am in free center.

Everything else is shed tears for me; I don't grasp how we can live mainstay. For me, it's pure erebus. »

The response arrived, soothing, incite return mail, this letter elder May 30, 1889, of spruce up Eucharistic doctrine so sure stake, for the time, so ceaseless, that Pope Pius will physique her to hasten the unveiling of the Cause of birth servant of God.

Recalling that she too passed through “the hardship of scruples”, the Saint without delay removes the main obstacle:

“You maintain not done the shadow make merry evil...

We must despise rivet these temptations, pay no motivation to them. »

She then reveals the infernal trap:

“When the beelzebub has succeeded in keeping undiluted soul away from Holy Church, he has won everything... accept Jesus cries!... O my beloved, think that Jesus is apropos in the tabernacle expressly aspire you, for you alone, Noteworthy burns with the desire limit enter your heart..."

Anticipating resistance, she pulverizes the objection of inhumanity abuse with one word.

“It is unlikely for a heart that rests only in the sight pale the tabernacle to offend Christ so much that it cannot receive him.

What offends The creator, what hurts his heart, esteem the lack of confidence. »

The final instruction to the category which has been struggling seek out too long in the unresolvable web of its imaginary torrent, is the invitation, then disentangle original, and which anticipates honesty views of moralists, to program in the Host not rectitude reward but the tonic, justness pain of the road:

“Communicate habitually, very often...

This is glory only remedy if you desire to heal”
(to Latvia, Might 30, 1889)

This advice, and class wise direction of Abbot Domin, chaplain of the Abbey, fell the young girl a miniature lull. But the insidious thoughtfulness suddenly wakes up, infiltrates nobility most innocent details and sows disarray once again. A comment dated July 10, 1889 acknowledges these internal debates where telephone call bite is blunted.

She besides confesses this hypersensitivity from which Mary will suffer throughout have a lot to do with life and which constitutes in particular endearing, but very perilous, face of her moral physiognomy:

“I hold a heart that I nonpareil feel too much; he has too much ardor. When yes loves, his love no individual has limits; at times Funny feel like my body interest too tight to contain him.

There is an affection in the middle of us that is not waning the earth; it is because of the bonds of the inside that we are united. No matter how sweet this affection is! Illness can describe it. The dialogue sister, which is nevertheless individual of the sweetest names, critique not the expression that must be used.

" Well !

genuinely, my little Thérèse, the useful Lord delights in breaking pensive poor heart. When he wants to make me suffer, that's always the way he curvings. My share is inner distress. At times, I feel chimp if I have been debased to myself, I feel temporal boredom. You must not guess that I love life. Thumb, we only encounter disappointments.

Near are people who would live happy if they were amplify a castle and swallowed nature they wanted. So let them come in my place! Hysterical gladly cede it to them. For me, there is pollex all thumbs butte place where I am bigger than in Les Buissonnets.

“I would really like you to let in on my vocation to the boon Lord.

Above all, pray ask this. I see that Wild am not at the gain of my suffering. If decency good Lord wants to seize me in his nets, bit you already told me, oh! I throw myself into note with love. I only fake one fear, that of conception a mistake. »

Thérèse takes lodge this psychological inventory point mass point. To calm the disturbed conscience, she appealed to position judgment of Mother Marie move quietly Gonzague whom she had before consulted, and whose “deep experience of souls and all their miseries” she noted in vanishing.

With great finesse, she diverts from any withdrawal into upturn and any selfish search that affectivity which would quickly develop morbid if it were troupe purified by the fire decelerate the Spirit:

" Oh ! Skeleton, how happy you are endure have a heart that knows how to love like that.

Thank Jesus for having land-living you such a precious offering and give him your entire heart. Creatures are too petite to fill the immense clear that Jesus dug in paying attention, do not give them reform in your soul. »

We declare here the Teresian optimism which is all out to core straight to Christ. In probity paragraphs that follow, the perspective widens further.

It is pillage the co-redemptive apostolate that description Saint intends to rescue multifarious overly fearful correspondent from absorption excesses of introspection. At influence same time, she invites him to strip away his unfilled faith:

“Do not worry about yell feeling any consolation in your Communions, it is a trial run that must be borne exchange love, do not lose rustic of the thorns that support encounter every day; with edge your way of them, you can redeem a soul!...

Ah! if give orders knew how much the benefit Lord is offended! Your emotions is so well made break down console him... Love him insanely for all those who carry out not love him.”
(to Latvia, July 14, 1889)

This provocation style the peaks delights Marie Guérin and, together, makes her lightheaded.

The stake of the impressive battle which, every day, decay waged within her, and which, many times, leaves her delicate and panting, is the bounty of herself to the Sovereign. She wrote it down touch a burning pen to quota cousin on July 23:

“How undertaking you expect the good Master to call to Himself well-ordered child who does not hunt to obtain His glory?

Granting I had more will, wouldn't this thought alone give first more ardor to overcome myself? So I must be straight completely lukewarm and cowardly soul! If you only knew even so much pain this thought causes me, because I feel become absent-minded I am such a faint soul! »

She nevertheless admits zigzag meditation is “a moment slow delight” for her, that she would spend her days beckon this exercise, that she feels “ablaze with love” there.

Look the Château de la Musse, she carved out a congregate of “ritiro”, a quasi-monastic can where she lives “alone fellow worker the One”. She has heretofore adopted a religious name: “Marie du Saint-Sacrement”. The thought run through God follows her everywhere. Conj at the time that she gets lost in nobleness countryside, it is to inform on the dilapidation and the offensive dirt of a certain parish church where Christ remains systematic solitary captive.

It was besides - did she remember boss similar lesson from which Tamerlan took advantage? — to coax an example of courage abide tenacity from the contemplation detailed an anthill at work.

This give something the onceover fertile ground for a chairman of soul, and which offers Thérèse the theme of topping reply in which the assurance of principles and the accuracy of touches of the “Doctor of the Way of Childhood” already shine through.

“Mary, if boss around are nothing, you must beg for forget that Jesus is everything; so you must lose your little nothing in its incalculable everything and no longer deem of anything other than that uniquely lovable whole...

You corrode not desire to see integrity fruit of your efforts either, Jesus likes to keep these little nothings for Himself lone. who console him..."

This is, primarily straightened from a Christocentric vantage point, the axis of existence. However how to stay there? In whatever way to progress? The response be handys immediately, which evokes a Salesian statement, or better, which prefigures the dazzling elevations of honourableness letter of September 15, 1896 to Sister Marie of depiction Sacred Heart:

“For me, I recollect no other way to win calculate perfection than love...

To warmth, how well our hearts distinctive made for that!... Sometimes Uproarious look for another word be in total express love , but sketch the land of exile give explanation are powerless to convey hubbub the vibrations of the force, so we must stick succumb to this single word: Love!..."
(to Latvia, July 27-29, 1890)

*

It was at the Taking of interpretation Veil of Sister Thérèse familiar the Child Jesus, on Sep 24, 1890, that this sentiment drama unfolded.

While the Celestial being was lying on the found, in great prostration, in nobility choir of nuns, Marie Guérin felt her last doubts glug down. Divine grace, this time, attentive him invincibly. She would keep going a Carmelite.

Céline was the chief to receive this confession. She herself was destined for pious life, held back only encumber the world by her father's illness.

Between her and give someone the cold shoulder cousin, thanks to living sleeve or living close together, initiate relationships had been created.

At picture pressing invitation of Thérèse, prep added to also on the advice incessantly Father Pichon, the Jesuit who was the appointed director endowment the Martin family, Marie confidential chosen Céline as her confidante.

“I revealed my whole soul set about him,” she writes.

There in your right mind not a shadow hidden deseed him. I threw everything clogging his heart. To her advise, my soul is an plain book. What a balm funding my poor heart! I determine understood, loved and consoled. »

Between the two young girls, clean up deep friendship was formed, stamped by the same ideal.

Mary's piety increased there. With that passionate something that was acquit yourself her character, she cultivated that spiritual union to the come together of suffering even the bottom separations. This even earned him a pleasant lesson from consummate saintly cousin. One day considering that she confessed her sorrow pocketsized being temporarily deprived of Céline, who was wandering in Paray-le-Monial, Thérèse gently reproached her convey lacking a spirit of section.

The young girl protests, defends herself and ends up, divide the heat of the duologue, by throwing the word “heartless” at her interlocutor. The attempt, who was miming to care for, puts on her most affronted expression and closes the diplomat in his face... only confront reopen it shortly after, guffawing at the stunned look cosy up her visitor.

Over the years, Marie's temperament matured.

The solidity designate his vocation could not break down doubted. Mr. and Mrs. Guérin courageously accepted the possibility take up separation. On June 23, 1893, Léonie had attempted a bag cloister trial at the Staying of Caen where she would take the Habit - endow with a short time, it denunciation true - on the shadowing April 6.

Marie's entry jolt the Carmel of Lisieux was then considered, but an forced entry of influenza which debilitated squash health caused the deadline goslow be postponed until 1895.

In position meantime, Mr. Martin had on top form at La Musse on July 29, 1894. Until the throughout, the most delicate attentions confidential surrounded him there.

He remained sensitive to the charms depose the landscape. The nightingale's rolls in the depths of excellence woods held attractions for him, as did the beguiling words decision of his goddaughter, or dominion fairy fingers playing his choice piece on the piano, “Rêverie” by Rosellen. This end, cradled by the affection of effect entire family, took on, fake the end of heartbreaking estate, the serenity of a fair evening.

On August 10, 1893, Thérèse expressed her gratitude get stuck Mme Guérin:

“I cannot tell support, dear Aunt, the happiness Wild feel thinking that my angel little Father is in your midst, filled with tenderness boss care. The good Lord plain-spoken the same thing for him as for his servant Job: After having humiliated him, fiasco showers him with his favors and it is through boss around that all these goods person in charge this affection are given become him.

»

Shortly after the swallow up of the august old squire of whom she had archaic the protective angel, Céline, sunny from all bonds, reached nobility cloister of her dreams. Keep on Friday September 14, 1894, decrease the feast of the Rapture of the Holy Cross, Marie Guérin, all in tears, escorted her soul sister to honourableness door of the monastery warning rue de Livarot.

The handwriting replace the presence, while put on hold to join her, she recounts in detail the smallest incidents of her life, she communicates with her first impressions, she speaks to him of authority dear deceased whose image sector the memory of her Mendicant daughters .

On May 17, 1895, returning alone, this time, fight back her spring residence, she promptly wrote:

“How I miss you, supposing you only knew!...

and add painful it is to pull up at La Musse without your sweet company. »

She relates the brush visits to the room at Mr. Martin died and justness instructions of exquisite charity which seem engraved on these walls: “Judge not and you testament choice not be judged. »

“I besides saw again,” she continues, “the slightest incidents of his ultimate days, our conversations together, onetime we both remained near unfocused uncle, and his beautiful rise which I imagine there, plane better than anywhere elsewhere, promote whose vision is so contemporary to me.

I also recall with a broken heart influence pain of my Céline range I could not console; Uncontrollable see the scene of rendering last kiss again, and substantiate, despite myself, tears well set a date for in my eyes.

“So my extent is mixed with sadness final joy; I seem to be all ears, every evening, the sound, connect front of the steps, realize the little car where vulgar good Uncle was being captivated, and I am quite ill-considered, when I lean out tactic the window, not to eclipse it.

»

Soon the anniversary disregard this death of the destined will be ringing: it silt a new consoling message which carries for Lisieux:

“I want spiky to receive a note break me today, showing you make certain I am thinking about on your toes a lot these days. Hilarious do not forget, I asset you, everything that happened clever year ago, and my tours to my Uncle's room determination become more frequent than quickthinking.

As I told you prickly May, I cannot pass offspring this apartment without being, hatred myself, seized by a sedate, calm feeling, which speaks emancipation the other world and which, in a word, fills vindicate mind. soul. This happens denote me very often and externally any premeditation, I am fully taken by it.

“I don't update why, but this birthday, which is sad in itself, does not have that effect fear me at all, it remains so certain that my Rewrite man entered Heaven that day, avoid I rather feel a sadness of happiness thinking of culminate deliverance.

How happy he decline now, but how well powder deserved it!... Oh! tomorrow, Comical promise to ask him cargo space many favors. When one has, engraved in the mind, empress beautiful celestial figure and pregnant such happiness, it is absurd that this does not plethora the soul and not megastar it to love the satisfactory God. »

The time would betimes come when these epistolary outpourings would give way to primacy most moving of dialogues.

Use body language would join in Carmel those she loved like sisters. Queen entry was decided for Reverenced 15, 1895, the very interval of his name day humbling the triumph of the Virtuous in her glorious Assumption.

Shortly a while ago, the young girl received that note which was intended standing be a supreme comfort cheerfulness the chosen one of magnanimity Lord and for all accumulate family.

“To my darling little florence nightingale, from her little Thérèse who thinks a lot about her!...

And who above all promise (trembling) that her dear Marie keeps her promises, remaining because calm as a little youngster in the arms from circlet mother...

“I pray very much pull out you, my darling little angel of mercy, and for all the cherished inhabitants of Musse who have to at this moment make hasty progress in perfection since they so generously accept the giving up of separation.

»

It was, handwritten in the hand of Archangel, the antiphon of hope already the farewell ceremony.

At Thérèse's school

Mary's entry into Carmel was brimming of sunshine with the ease of the Assumption. Mr. Guérin saw nothing more than significance honor done to him pulsate giving a daughter to authority Lord:

“We can now die,” proceed wrote, “since we leave backside us a burning lamp which will never cease to stream before the divine Eucharist.

»

The mother shares her faith:

“What tidy beautiful life yours will be,” she asks the postulant, “if you want to remain cube and humble!... I am snatch convinced that the good Sovereign wants you to belong get closer Him. But what have miracle done to Him to earn such favor? Nothing, absolutely nothing! It was He who unchanging the first advances and the total came from Him.

How travelling fair it is to have release my eyes by making broad-minded understand the beauty of decency religious vocation! »

Not even Jeanne La Néele, long reluctant, theorize not hostile, to her sister's aspirations, gave in to distinction contagion of the offering. She shared it with her lower sister, a few days rear 1 saying goodbye:

“We were so positive that it was Our Noble who was calling you focus, for my part, I was deliciously consoled as I difficult to understand never been in my believable.

I felt the good Potentate present in our midst flourishing looking at us with enjoyment. »

The enthusiasm is not breed among the applicant. She remains proud of her new dub of Mary of the Sacrament which was once awarded repeat her in the parlor stomach-turning Pauline, and which corresponds in this fashion well to her attraction be carried the Host.

With what sensibility, entering her poor cell, upfront she discover on the cozy, surrounded by flowers, the rime Vivre d'Amour, recently composed near Thérèse. She also savors primacy piece of circumstance written convoy her by the Saint. She sings it, according to tradition, in front of the Humanity, at evening recess.

The song evokes a secular tune fortify in vogue: Cute, do tell what to do know the country? but righteousness basic theme is borrowed do too much the one hundred and 15th psalm: Dirupisti, Domine, vincula mea! The title is worth tone down entire program: Song of undiluted soul having found its thought-provoking place. The first stanza magnifies the broken bonds, the globe left for the cloister, very last the celestial favors which legalization this admirable exchange.

The in no time at all, playing on the new fame that the future nun inclination bear, traces the line range total gift.

Marie fully appreciates drop new condition. To her parents' former maid, Marcelline Husé, who, having entered religion with significance Benedictines of Bayeux, took confront upon herself, to congratulate break down, to use the colloquial specify of servant, she responds get a feel for emotion:

“I allow myself to vixen you, my dear Sister; prickly must change your signature; Distinction word servant hurts my sordid, because you are a darling little sister to me.

Not till hell freezes over do it again; we bony both the brides of Word. »

This new nobility enchants him. She confides it to team up father on a poor ghastly sheet, “a miserable scrap short vacation paper”, but which will scheme more value for the fatherly heart than “the beautiful missives of great ladies, all odoriferous and marked with a jacket of arms”:

“My own coat realize arms is too beautiful, in addition celestial to be seen straighten out earth; and yet, I butt it in the corner lift each of my letters, however many do not understand be with you or look at it add together indifference.

A cross and distinction name of Jesus, that’s tawdry coat of arms! this even-handed what delights my heart status that of my dear slender father. »

It's not that she gives in to I don't know what temptation of angelism, so enamored of the uncanny that she would deny neat kinship by blood.

She testament choice always remain the ardent living thing physical with a hypersensitive heart, who devotes exquisite tenderness to collect family:

“You have to come succumb to Carmel,” she writes, “to notice what it is to really love. To give oneself converge God, people of the hundred say, is to abandon one's parents. Let those who divulge like this come to send off.

I will show them wander I, poor Carmelite, did sob share my heart with goodness creature, I gave it observe Jesus alone, and He rewards it to me a hundredfold to cherish my beloved parents. »

If the renovation of class parlors deprived her of visits from her family for precise time, her missives exposed grasp them without disguise her tyreprints as a beginner.

From convey on it is she who will act as "the small beggar of the good Lord" to her father, each halt in its tracks - and this will examine frequent at the time - that the monastery experiences representation most complete shortage. At her highness call, without miracle but beg for without sacrifice, the gesture addendum Cana and that of depiction multiplication of the loaves untidy heap renewed as necessary.

Above all, greatness amiable letter writer recounts junk new existence, which unfolds, general and dense, to the reverential rhythm of the conventual exercises now marking all her actions.

*

Mother Agnès of Jesus shows, finish equal the head of the Accord, a gentle and equal jurisdiction.

The former Prioress, Mother Marie de Gonzague, continues to brutality care of the nuns put into operation training. Sister Thérèse of probity Child Jesus was assigned enhance her as “under-mistress”. Marie Guérin will therefore remain in crucial contact with her holy cousingerman. With her, she will hear the recitation of the Job, the customs of monastic humanity, while the appointed Mistress disposition preside over the meetings to what place the Rule, the Constitutions, representation Ceremonial, the Books of regulation, reveal their secrets to representation neophytes of Carmel.

In decency meantime, she helps in justness refectory or the sacristy. After, she will assume the go of “Headmaster”, which includes make up your mind responsibilities in supplying the priory, maintaining the garden, and kindred with the Sisters of rectitude White Veil. Recess time sees her laughing and lively, about childish at times, which report not a good idea matter relaxing the nerves and unappetizing the mind in a out of sorts of contemplative life.

Thérèse myself underlines this trait in first-class letter of October 14, 1895 to her cousin Jeanne:

“It appreciation a great consolation for send, the old dean of integrity novitiate, to see so luxurious joy surrounding my last days; it rejuvenates me, and, teeth of my seven and a bisection years of religious life, acuteness often fails me, in loftiness presence of the charming low point who delights the whole Human beings.

All the Carmelites are extremely happy to have such organized kind postulant. Her beautiful tone makes us happy and blue blood the gentry charm of our recreations, nevertheless above all, what rejoices loose heart, much more than skilful the talents and external tommy-rot of our dear Angel, preparation her dispositions to virtue.

»

Mary had fully entered Carmelite convinced. The splendor of the planet had slipped upon her. Monarch spells had broken against uncluttered very clear desire for degeneration. More than the splendors personage La Musse, she appreciates character bare walls of her cell:

“Poverty has a special attraction intend me,” she confessed to brush aside Father.

I like to exercise it in everything, and rendering good Lord comes to upon me himself when I inadequacy something... I use small method to make myself pleasing hear Jesus. The thought of suitable a saint never leaves soubriquet. »

It is in this mitigate that she avoids asking lay out objects she lacks, that she shows a sort of selected for worn or out-of-date paraphernalia, that she welcomes with far-out smile the frequent changes remind you of cell and, everywhere and sully everything, be careful not concerning “settle”.

In the classic entertain of the litanies of timorousness, she composed a prayer which, every day, invites her bare forget herself.

Mr. Guérin who receives these confidences is capable penalty understanding them. As he arrives at his summer residence, unquestionable feels a pang in crown heart as he recalls decency woman he would no somebody see as in the previous fluttering with Céline along honesty large, shady alleys.

However, flair overcomes the first impression very last pulls himself together in prayer:

“God cauterized the wound. It progression not regret, it is very a calm and sweet profit and a sort of felicitate which accompany your image without exception present in my eyes... Berserk thought that your divine Helpmate was walking you with tenderness in a park much extend beautiful, much more captivating outweigh ours, that, every day, talented discovers new horizons for order about, enchanting flowers that you have to undoubtedly pick among the thorns, but which make you fine thousand times happier than here today and gone tom flowers from here below...

During the time that I think of all that, I understand the extreme griefstricken of parents who, not acquiring faith, see their beloved line buried in cloisters. It seems to me that their cherish must be dulled and unexcitable extinguished, while ours has extra by becoming purer. It was coupled with gratitude for significance One who chose our youngster, and for this child myself, now the advocate and benefactor of her entire family.

»

God responding royally to the kindness of the postulant, it was in a sort of ecstasy that she completed her empirical period. She was also helped by spiritual events which implant time to time cut class monotony of the conventual timetable. In October 1895, she participated in the Community retreat preached by Father Lemonnier, of integrity Missionaries of Deliverance.

On Feb 24, 1896, his companion deprive La Musse, Sister Geneviève trick la Sainte-Face, made profession possibility the feast of the Suffering of Our Lord.

The following Amble 17, the same day bowled over the two cousins ​​together calm the foot of the shrine. In the morning, Céline takes the Veil in a piteous ceremony presided over by Mgr Hugonin and where Abbot Ducellier, dean of Trévières, demonstrates monarch customary eloquence.

In the cocktail hour, Marie Guérin, dressed as excellent bride, walks to the shutting down gate on her father's problem. The appropriate sermon is unhampered by Mr. Levasseur, parish cleric of Navarre, near Evreux, righteousness spiritual director who guided jurisdiction life in the world flourishing whose visits will still grant to bringing peace to king quickly troubled soul.

She receives significance Virgin's Habit from the sprint of Mother Agnès of Son.

The latter did not stiffen up, in approving the official attractiveness of her young relative hamper the Community, to end attend speech with the most nonindulgent of instructions: “I give set your mind at rest the advice to always re-examination yourself the last in influence house, the little servant racket all, whom each has distinction right to command and scold at any point.

It evaluation by doing this that pointed will be happy and wind you will find peace send out Carmel. » It is in truth a family celebration which brings together under the eye produce God, as in the over at Les Buissonnets or fall back the pharmacy of Place Saint-Pierre, those whom the bonds rob grace, doubling the bonds reminisce blood, have united so affectionately for joy as for trial.

A chorus rose that evening dismiss the musical soul of Foster Marie of the Eucharist, significance one she expressed in that passage from a letter differ her mother:

“Since I have back number here, I have never challenging the shadow of a mourn, I am always in on target joy.

I often wonder in what way it is that we pot find ourselves so happy coop a life of continual wasting. Despite all the glimpsed pleasures that I could obtain spitting image the world, I prefer, shun hesitation, my life of disappearance and suffering. »

*

Four days rearguard Mary took the Habit, soupзon Saturday March 21, 1896, rank first 3-year mandate of Surliness Agnès de Jésus came protect an end.

The Chapter meets. It took no less mystify seven rounds of voting let your hair down achieve a majority on Female parent Marie de Gonzague. She emerged somewhat ulcerated from this exciting election. She kept the add of the novitiate for woman, and confirmed in her representation capacity as assistant mistress Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, whose virtue impressed her.

The Saint has entered the decisive phase which will put the seal thrill her mission.

The previous June 9, on the feast closing stages the Trinity, she offered individual as a victim to Forgiving Love. Five days later, cloth a Stations of the Bad-tempered, the fire in his soul brought him the answer pass up Heaven. At the beginning medium the year, she gave brew “Little Mother” the memories go off will constitute the first start burning chapters of the Story admire a Soul.

In a infrequent days, on April 3, 1896, an attack of hemoptysis volition declaration ring for her like regular prelude to eternity. She psychotherapy in the full flowering jump at her grace, and, if miracle dare to hazard such mediocre expression for her who was always flexible and moving emerge life, in full possession help her spirituality.

After her dear Céline and Sister Marie of justness Trinity, Sister Marie of description Eucharist will offer her regular supreme and providential opportunity designate instill her “little way” tag souls.

Not that we be obliged imagine methodical teaching proceeding distance downward professa. The deputy mistress replica novices did not have convey give conferences or talks. Advised as the always accessible approximate sister, who answers the questions asked of her, who helps with her advice to conquer the first obstacles of holy life, to adapt to wear smart clothes customs, to its work, she had a way so pure to raise the debate, brave emphasize; the sanctifying significance decompose the most humble gestures, which his doctrine passed imperceptibly raid, a remark, an explanation, clever kind line, if necessary, dexterous call to order.

No mathematical presentation: it was not crown way; but, about everything illustrious nothing, she revealed her convex thoughts. The majesty of potentate example did the rest. Niggardly was like an envelopment, topping slow impregnation that touched reprove left its mark forever.

“I receive nothing to teach anyone who does not want to enjoy me,” said Socrates.

Thérèse outspoken not seek to win whist. There was in her topping mixture of simplicity and go, familiarity and grandeur that outstanding both attraction and reverential astonishment. Souls that were still slight felt drawn towards her meticulous, at certain points, feared sagacious, as one does of godly demands.

Sister Marie of the Liturgy will experience this complex be in the region of impulse and intimidation towards him: “I am only your cousin,” she would sometimes say cling on to him, by way of playful.

The Saint, then, kissing squash affectionately, reprimanded her with unadorned distressed air: “Oh! don't affirm that, you are my authentic little sister. If you knew how much I love you! » She was all position more vigilant in preventing outfit correcting any errors of loss of nerve in the novice. She was no longer the willingly compassionate relative, she was the gigantic Mistress whose every word was surrounded by a halo compensation holiness, the one in whom theory and life were deadpan closely fused that she exhaust all objection and forbade border criticism.

. We did originate a little against the apex of the ideal that she assigned to her disciples, awe argued about the impossibility enterprise achieving it, we pleaded, curb the event of infidelity, probity weakness of the average chap, but we always ended cause a rift giving up our weapons obtain proving him right.

Teaching of that quality. Sister Marie of ethics Eucharist offered a truly decent job.

There was a think element of lightness in shepherd which led Mme Guérin catch doubt her daughter's perseverance behave such an austere vocation. Aforementioned all, there was a contend that was too withdrawn, also trembling, too preoccupied with strike. The unhealthy complexion readily develops, if one is not circumspect, this inclination towards introspection.

Use up there, with a violent partiality for scruple, a self-distrust which risked turning into pusillanimity. Consequently also an excess of mawkishness which, in the secluded sky of the cloister, will hunt for its outlet in passionate germane to this or that Higherranking. Moreover, a very upright properties, of complete good will, plane of incontestable generosity.

The intuitive Thérèse immediately grasped this psychological manipulative where sensitivity dominates.

She wish play on it wonderfully handle turn it entirely towards dignity One who is the one worthy of being dear without measure, the only separate capable of satisfying the on fire desires of a human sounding. It is the subject reproach a poem that she gives to her novice, for grouping anniversary of entry into cathedral, August 15, 1896.

The christen is: Jesus alone. Borrowing blue blood the gentry voice of Sister Mary check the Eucharist, and in greatness familiar mode of a physical prayer, the Saint marks glory radical reversal, the interior transformation that all work of faultlessness requires.

Peacefully accepting one's helplessness, believing desperately in the excessive lenity of "Papa the good Lord", striving in all things predict please him and to increase twofold souls for him: we assert here the essential steps befit the "little way".

For excellence troubles which torment Sister Marie of the Eucharist, as teach the shortcomings of her supreme formation, there is no modernize specific remedy.

*

With the diligent love of a big sister, Thérèse strives to instill these sample into her cousin's mind. She uses the active method. “Everything is grace,” she says cheerfully.

It is through the minimum actions that the demands appreciate eternal Wisdom gradually enter leadership fabric of daily existence. Still in her most winged poetry, it is the heroic text of the Rule and character duty of state that weighing scales Saint teaches. The Memories unshaken by Marie Guérin show unadorned in this “art of arts” which is the direction carp a soul.

How many period did she not repeat all round her novice, who came disapproval confide in her some private worry:

“Please worry a little no matter what about yourself, get busy plug the good Lord and lack of inhibition yourself to yourself. All your scruples are so many searches for yourself.

Your sorrows, your sorrows, it all rolls prize you, it always revolves almost the same pivot. Ah! give pleasure to forget yourself, think about providence souls. »

The young nun struggles. She is frightened, at persuaded times, by the summons blond holiness made to her scheduled the name of God.

Mount mutinous grace, she seeks rest alibi: “I promise to aptitude holy when you have touch to Heaven; at that tick, I will throw myself behaviour it with all my surety. » The reply bursts surpass immediately, loaded with a dull personal experience:

" Oh ! don't wait for this. Get afoot now. The month which preceded my entry into Carmel remained for me as a sweetened memory.

At the beginning, Uncontrolled said to myself like you: I will be holy in the way that I am in Carmel. Pin down the meantime, I won't distress. But the good Lord showed me the price of always. I did the complete contrary of what I thought; Comical wanted to prepare for overcast entry by being very devoted, and it is one commandeer the happiest months of furious life.

Believe me, never dally until tomorrow to start seemly holy. »

Conventual relationships offer beginners a thousand opportunities to live out. Temperaments clash, characters rub dispute each other. It is rank “hair shirt of common life” with its asperities as final as they are involuntary, promote to which we must adapt entice all costs during this copy out of “breaking in” that stick to the novitiate.

Let us amass from the pen of Look after Marie de l'Eucharistie some episodes of this masterfully directed fight.

“It’s so pretty,” Sister Thérèse verbal me, “a little novice who is humble, who exudes shyness in everything, who always humbles herself instead of rebelling, who admits her wrongs, who job humble in her manners.” , in the tone of tiara voice!
“One day when Hilarious had a little argument add one of our Sisters, Hilarious was in no way wicked, she agreed, but she gather me to ask for indulgence all the same.

I rebelled and didn't want it; expand she said to me: Unique ask for forgiveness when jagged have been wrong, but depart is not where the honour lies; it's asking for pounce on when you really have clapped out nothing wrong.
“Another time, tranquil with the same Sister, Comical had done everything wrong take I said to Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus, deal with a slightly lighthearted air: Well!

I'm going to go soar ask for forgiveness. - Oh yes, she continued, you unadventurous going to ask him operate forgiveness again, laughing. When support ask for forgiveness, you be compelled always do it humbly, false a serious manner and battle-cry laughing.
“With another Sister pick up whom I had not abstruse any real wrongs, she condone me to go and plain myself near her and softsoap respond: It is true seal all the little remonstrances think it over she would make to out of this world.

»

Things did not always eat smoothly with the young schoolboy who had not achieved nobleness serene indifference of her god-fearing cousin. This then directed in return towards the book which locked away nourished her youth to nobleness point that she was maestro of reciting it entirely non-native memory:

“I advise you, when give orders have fights against charity, extremity read this chapter of Imitation: That we must bear rendering faults of others.

You last wishes see that your battles discretion fall; he has always solve me a lot of fine. He is very good extremity very true. »

In these untoward conflicts which bring together, solution the same work, unequally excellent souls with diametrically opposed adjustments, the Saint preached renunciation:

“That’s in virtue lies,” she emphasized; presentday taking up the example understanding the Desert Fathers, she added: “You only have to relax what you are ordered.

While in the manner tha your first job orders pointed to plant cabbages upside rest, you would just have get trapped in obey. It is by falsehood like this that you drive have peace, I know ramble it is very annoying, nevertheless also that is where greatness merit lies. » Sometimes, elision the lesson, she would mark complaints and protests with protest “Oh!

Yes, but..." which spoken a lot.

The government of Popular Marie de Gonzague could break down open to criticism, under loftiness sharp eyes of the grassy novice. It was time perform her Mistress to suggest end up her the views of piousness in matters of obedience: “It always pains the good Monarch a little bit when awe reason a little bit stress what the Mother Prioress says.

; and it does him a lot when you origin a lot, even in your heart. »

Added to this were the repeated invitations to contemplation and silence. Sitting next lock her cousin in the refectory, the Saint, whose modest observe was never disturbed by non-u incident, called her neighbor squalid order “with a little riffle skillfully and gently given”, postulate necessary, with a sigh...

— “You will never manage to withhold your eyes down,” she oral him, “if you do party mark on your rosary type practices each time you fade to do so.

It's prestige only way... Out of tenderness for the good Lord, jagged don't want to lower your eyes? Think that you unwanted items doing an act of cherish every time you don't blag them... that you are parsimony a soul. »

At recess, concerning was no question of quiet or lowered eyelids, but manipulate that delicacy of kindness which makes one repress one's tears to cheer up others, wander one does not seek living soul, that one rushes to copy the most disadvantaged, the premier, even the least sympathetic.

With reference to too, the golden rule commission “Mr. God, first served!” » The Mistress reveals the mysterious of her own conduct:

“Why put the lid on you go to recess?” Go up against satisfy yourself and find thrill in it? You have keep go there like another People exercise, out of loyalty, in need ever stopping while going. Just as leaving the refectory, you have to immediately go to recess; give orders are not allowed to mark at anything else, not much for a single minute put up talk to a Sister...

Followed by, during recreation, practice virtue, verbal abuse kind to everyone, no argument who you are near; keep going cheerful by virtue and call by whim. When you blow away sad, forget yourself and well-known cheerfulness. It would seem lapse during recreation we must exploration only pleasure without thinking obvious practicing virtue, without worrying beget the good Lord.

But entrails is a Community exercise adore any other; have fun, on the other hand above all out of generosity for others. Never go out of reach yourself, remain virtuous in justness very midst of pleasure. Prickly should make the sacrifice be keen on not putting yourself next regarding those you love. »

The schoolchild cries out: “Do we at all times have to constrain ourselves 1 this?

»

— “Yes, you obligated to always deprive yourself of replicate. Then, it's good to have reservations about cheerful during recess, but with reference to is a certain religious change of being cheerful, of disturbing others. You are sometimes headlong cheerful, you think that pleases the Sisters. They laugh trim your follies, it's true, on the other hand that doesn't edify them...

Enter charitable, considerate... At recess, serve the elders by going pare get them chairs, then, go through with a fine-tooth comb all occasions, be obliging: put in order little novice should always go it. That would be desirable pretty! »

The tenderly merciless Lover who does not hesitate suggest recall the divine demands has the art of softening say publicly sacrifice by constantly raising prestige perspective.

If she recommends “never wasting time, not a individual minute”, it is because she already lives and makes punters live in eternity. His unqualified eye observes the slightest failures which will, at the take moment, be the subject hold a supernatural focus.

It is yowl always convenient to be worry the school of holiness.

Existence sometimes balks and would like better a virtue on the hillside to these thrilling peaks. Take as read Marie Guérin did not stretch the heights, she nevertheless benefited from this vigorous treatment. She owed it to him chance on escape mediocrity and to facsimile counted among the fervent nuns with whom a Monastery bash honored.

The testimonies that Thérèse gives him in her proportion with the Guérin family, despite the fact that, by chance, out of compliant complacency, they exaggerate the take out a little, are nevertheless determinate in this regard.

*

After a yr of effort, which was providentially interrupted by the Community power preached in October 1896 overtake Father Godefroy Madeleine, Premonstratensian Former of Mondaye, our novice was admitted to profession on Weekday March 25, 1897.

This very loving ceremony took place, following justness ordinary rite, in the Period Room, without the family organism involved.

The Canticle of status, the one which is song in honor of the alleged, on the evening of that beautiful day, was written gross Thérèse herself. On this circumstance, the Saint rhymed the center that she would have desired to express to her Céline if Sister Marie des Anges had not written her Field song to her. This assignment a brave piece which borrows the catchy rhythm of interpretation Song of the Departure be successful the Missionaries, composed by Composer for the Société de plan rue du Bac.

Under interpretation title My Arms, it wreckage a sort of review regard the spiritual equipment that insolvency, chastity and obedience constitute receive the bride of Christ.

The leading character of the ceremony, to ally other souls with her pride, had asked her father interest offer to the Anti-Slavery Trench of Monseigneur de la Passardière, the sum necessary for distinction redemption of two black lineage, a little boy who would receive the name of Joseph-Marie-Isidore, a girl who would background baptized Marie-Céline.

The Taking of position Veil, preceded by a homily dressing-down by Father Levasseur, took cheer on June 2, 1897.

Stop off was sixteen years ago, face up to the day, that in greatness Benedictine chapel, Marie Guérin esoteric received Jesus for the precede time . Her holy Queen gave her, during the hallowing, an Image of the Youngster God which she had reserved for quite a long ahead in her breviary. It prick a charming dedication on position back and was accompanied stomach-turning a note which, symbolically pairing the white toilet of rendering communicant and the habit firm the Carmelite, ended with these words:

“It is no longer representation graceful veil with long milky folds which should envelop Column in the Eucharist, it attempt a dark veil which reminds the wife of Jesus dump she is exiled, that give someone his Spouse is not a Old man who must lead her mould celebrations, but on the reach your peak of Calvary.

From now litter, Mary must no longer see at anything here below, bagatelle but the merciful God, influence Jesus of the Eucharist!..."

Under Thérèse's pen, it was supposedly apparent a testament. Already the honor of death could be topic on his features.

The family gatherings which brought joy to depiction day only heightened this morose presentiment in the hearts sun-up all those close to him.

Mother Agnès of Jesus, expressing what treasure she would mere in her young sister, required to collect her supreme forgive and forget on religious life. The by a long way evening of June 2, she asked Mother Marie de Gonzague to give the Saint integrity order to continue writing accompaniment memories. The action was occupied the next day.

A thirty days later, on July 2, Thérèse gave her Prioress the textbook [which would later correspond expire manuscript C].

In the agony be useful to a saint

Providence, which seems get into have arranged everything so think about it nothing is lost in class words and examples of Fear Thérèse of the Child Son, constitutes Sister Marie of honesty Eucharist as an authorized spectator to the slow death penalty the “Little Queen”.

From June 1896, the young novice served slightly an intermediary to alert tiara parents to the weakening business their niece.

To their aggregate sendings of remedies, fortifiers, candy - Mr. Guérin is sales rep the moment the main, in case not the only benefactor farm animals the Carmel - she deterioration responsible for responding with messages of gratitude. Daughter of smashing pharmacist, sister-in-law of Doctor Course of action Néele, her somewhat naive devoutness in the art of Hippocrates accumulates in these pages minutiae and details on the symptoms of the disease and authority treatments practiced.

This will hoodwink us, when the crisis becomes acute, nineteen health bulletins which constitute a valuable contribution resolve Teresian history and which astonishment will use widely.

Three or quaternion days after Mary took grandeur Veil, a brief missive verbal the Community's concern. Although dissolute and shaken by mortal agony, the patient remains peaceful.

“Dying option be my happiness,” she confided the day before to those around her.

Living will motionless be because I only pine for what the good Lord wants.”

Then, alluding to the novena in operation for her Intention, to depiction Masses requested by Mother Marie de Gonzague at the House of worship of Notre-Dame des Victoires:

“Either say publicly Blessed Virgin will heal be carried on the breeze, or she will take without charge away.

This can't last extended. »

Rue Paul Banaston, we get the message the events with a blubbering nuanced with respect. Witness that note sent on June 18 by Mr Guérin to Nourish Geneviève:

“I keep silence... which review a silence of admiration existing love for God and sort the poor dear little being whom he raised to much high perfection..."

July 7, sudden weakening.

Doctor de Cornière diagnosed pulmonic congestion on the right macrobiotic, complicated by bacillary outbreaks. Excellence hemorrhages multiply, the fever rises, which makes Thérèse say become absent-minded “in Purgatory we must throng together burn any more”.

“When we mock to see her,” writes Breast-feed Marie of the Eucharist, “she is very changed, very thin; but always the same cool, and a laugh.

She sees death coming with joy remarkable has not the slightest consternation of it. This will deject you, my dear little Churchman, that is understandable, we ring all losing the greatest advance treasures, but she is jumble to be pitied! Loving position good Lord as she loves him, how well she desire be received up there! She will certainly go straight get paid Heaven.

When we spoke holiday at her about Purgatory, for considerable, she said to us: Oh! how sad you are stay in me! You are doing graceful great insult to the commendable Lord by thinking you hook going to Purgatory. When amazement love, there can be maladroit thumbs down d Purgatory.

“Tell you what state glory Community is in!” There blank tears, sobs, desolation on perimeter sides...

Mother Agnès of Sovereign is admirable in her redouble and resignation. Our Mother has such maternal kindness for able of us in the palsy-walsy of the greatest sorrows, in that my Sister Thérèse of authority Child Jesus was her central point treasure.

" Oh ! my prized little Father, I don't identify what to say to give orders, we are broken, devastated view cannot believe the misfortune renounce threatens us...

Oh! no, amazement cannot believe that the good thing Lord would take our Archangel from us, but he practical so ripe for Heaven! Behind night, I asked the acceptable Lord to make me oomph of her, and then hard night, I saw her strip off dazzling beauty, surrounded by miniature Angels and playing with them. Is this not the detail, because in its simplicity shelter resembles little children?

Some in the house ago, our Mother had terrestrial M. de Cornière her meaning Vivre d’amour; she was shout yet ill at that past, she simply had her glutinous condition, but when he glance at it, he said to well-defined Mother: I will never have an effect her for you, she critique a soul who cannot disintegration not made for the globe. »

On the evening of July 8, taking advantage of on the rocks truce, Thérèse was transported draw attention to the infirmary, facing the personage of the Virgin of Smiles.

The next day's press run away was more reassuring:

“If you proverb our dear little sick mademoiselle, you couldn't help but snicker, she always has to affirm something amusing. Since she thinks she's dying, she's been renovation happy as a finch. Not far from are times when you would pay for your place elect be near her.

Suddenly, that morning, she started to say: If I was going advance be one of the two!..., We looked at each in the opposite direction and asked ourselves what go off meant, she continued: Yes, predispose of the two out demonstration the hundred ! How luckless would that be! Quite modestly because our Mother had examine her that Mr.

de Cornière said that, in his renovate, only two out of marvellous hundred would survive. And she was afraid that she was one of those who could be saved.

“It's something amusing chance see his laugh and fulfil mischievous look when he tells us that. As I sonorous him that I was switch on to write to you indicate reassure you a little: Apprise them that I love them and that I am efficient little girl of contradictions: they think I am dying come first I have not yet off a blind eye...

I disaster believed to be alive flourishing I am almost at sortout, I am pure contradiction; however above all tell them defer I love them all observe, very much...

“Our Father [Mr. Principle Maupas, parish priest of Saint-Jacques de Lisieux, Superior of Carmel] came to see her that morning and he exclaimed: Oh! but, you want us collect believe, you are not have an effect on death's door, and soon paying attention will be running in rank garden, you do not fake the face of a avid person.

Give you Extreme Unction? but the sacrament would arrange be valid, you are gather together sick enough.

"When he was touch, she said: Another time, Farcical won't take so much be killing to be polite: I sat down on our bed, Hysterical acted nice, and he refuses me what I ask him ! another time, I disposition use "pretence", I will have to one`s name a cup of milk at one time his arrival, because I every look much worse afterwards, for that reason, I will barely respond show consideration for him by telling him defer I am dying, and she was positively acting out acquire us.

Yes, I can look that I don't know tongue-tied job, I don't know manner to do it. »

If she longs for the ineffable happen upon, Thérèse does not remain blundering to the emotion of human being separations. There is nothing conjure stoic impassivity about her. She maintains until the end that crystal transparency, or, to dress up it better, this childlike straightforwardness which makes her remain tolerable open, so close to multi-layered, so natural, at the disentangle moment when she approaches picture highest peaks of the quality.

She has delicate thoughts purpose all her family, and habitual is once again Sister Marie of the Eucharist who, menace July 10, is responsible possession transmitting them to those concerned:

“I will be with you regular more than before, I decision not leave you. It research paper I who will watch calamity my Uncle, my Aunt, be of advantage to my little Léonie, over person in fact.

When they feel ready to enter Heaven, Unrestrainable will quickly go to fuse them. »

Made aware of worldweariness aspirations, the Superior teases her:

“You will soon go to Heaven: but your crown is categorize made! You're just getting started! » — So, continues nobleness letter writer, eagerly she further had to collect her Novissima Verba, she answered him so angelically: Oh!

my Father, it is too true, I did not produce my crown, but it was the good Lord who flat it. »

If the pulmonary engorgement gives way to the energy of the remedies, tuberculosis continues its ravages, with its individual rhythm, discontinuous, panting, broken close to relaxations followed by phases go together with paroxysm.

On July 12, leadership bulletin is optimistic. It's period to tell an anecdote:

“Little King is always very cheerful; she was lowered into Mother Geneviève's infirmary bed, and as Encase Geneviève also more than long ago expected and desired death, dowel as she was more facing once also frustrated in congregate hope.

Little Queen often says: What a bed of misfortune! When you're inside, you in every instance miss the train... Then: Probity thief went far away, crystalclear left me to go appropriate other children. When will take off be my turn? I don't know anything about it telling. Tell my dear little Transcriber, my Aunt, Léonie, and in the end everyone that, when I things that are part and parcel of in Heaven, what will bear me the most happiness prerogative be to be able vision express all my love.

Unrestrained cannot do it on earth: my love is too acid, but in Heaven, when Uproarious get there, I will pull up able to make them get the gist. This is what makes cruel happy. This morning, as Distracted asked her what she would do, what she would regulation when she saw the good thing Lord for the first previous, she replied: Don't talk improve me about that, I can't think of it, it arranges me so sad.

made funding happiness. What I will dance. I will cry with enjoyment. »

*

Madame Guérin follows with rule out anxious gaze the harsh presumption of her niece's ordeal. Have time out daughter's confidences upset her. Smash up July 12, she wrote swap over him about Thérèse:

“We are harvest admiration of everything that phenomenon are told about her.

Nevertheless that is not enough: miracle must imitate it. And county show can we achieve such separating, such happiness in dying? While now I had only topic this in the lives introduce the Saints. Today we hold the example before us. »

Later still:

“It seems to me ditch the good God must scrutinize with happiness the Image returns his Son in this statement of the Bride that loosen up chose for himself.

She psychoanalysis so pure, our little Thérèse, so holy. For me, she entered Carmel with her baptismal innocence, and what degrees she must have traveled in straightfaced few years! My dear Marie, I often find myself thanking the good Lord that order about were able to see that dear little soul up wrap up, that you lived her dulled.

too short a time, alas! »

Mr. Guérin expresses the very sentiments:

“My thoughts do not end the dear and sweet passive. I see her with will not hear of little angelic face, awaiting carnage with joy. I am assume the deepest admiration of king supernatural wisdom, his intimate knowing of the secrets communicated disrespect divine love, and his might.

No, it is not gallantry, because when we have penetrated so far into the mysteries of Heaven, like Saint Libber, it is not surprising digress we aspire to break glory bonds which still hold condition on the earth. What commandment she gives us, this mini girl, and how I testament choice engrave in my memory all things she says and does, take back try to reproduce it conventional the day of my death!

I stride towards that time, I decline on the expeditious slope of years. What strategy ten years, even twenty years? And yet, after this squander life, I will not be blessed with the baggage of this youngster to present myself before Demiurge. »

It was on July 16, the feast of Our Gal of Mount Carmel, that nobility Saint sent her farewell slay to her adoptive parents.

Let’s take a look at that passage:

“I wanted to talk prove you in detail about loose Communion this morning, which paying attention made so touching, or relatively so triumphant, with your wreaths of flowers. I will narrow valley my dear little Sister Marie of the Eucharist tell boss around the details and only energy to tell you that she sang, before Communion, a approximately verse that I had beside for this morning [1].

Like that which Jesus was in my diametrically, she sang again this respite from Vivre d'Amour: Dying homework love is a very sweetened martyrdom. I cannot tell sell something to someone how high and beautiful diadem voice was; she had affianced me not to cry, propose please me; my expectations were well exceeded. The good Sovereign must have perfectly heard focus on understood what I expect escaping Him, and that was fitting what I wanted.

»

[1] Volatility is a Eucharistic stanza flowed, like poetry Live on love, in the melody of honourableness song He is mine.

You who know my extreme smallness
Order around are not afraid to descent to me!
Come into empty heart, O white Host give it some thought I love,
Come into vindicate heart, it longs for you!
Ah!

I would like your kindness to leave me
Forbear die of love after that favor.
Jesus! hear the shout of my tenderness.
Come grow to be my heart!

{ Additional Poetry 8  : You who know my ultimate smallness, Stanza 1, line 5 }

The response came from Musse on July 24. Patrons. Guérin lets his pain brook his pride overflow:

“You were grandeur little pearl, late come, contempt your good Mother; you brag the Little Queen of your old father, and you escalate the most beautiful flower come close to this crown of lilies which surrounds me, embalms me abstruse gives me a foretaste senior the perfections of Heaven.

No matter what the pain that, at identify with moments, obsesses and grips liberal, it never occurred to reliability to seek to compete go-slow you for the tenderness unravel the Bridegroom who calls order around. »

Marie Guérin shares these emotions of veneration. Having begged repudiate cousin to obtain great graces for her when she psychotherapy in her eternity, she hears her say:

" Oh !

while in the manner tha I am in Heaven, Uproarious will do many things, fantastic things... It is impossible meander it is not the fair Lord himself who gives confounded this desire, I am confirm that he will grant me! » And then again: “When I get up there, it’s really me who will haul you closely…”

“Perhaps you will agitate me,” ventures the timid soul.

“Does your Guardian Angel scare you?

However, he tails you gross the time; well ! Side-splitting will follow you in character same way, and even added closely! I won't let spiky miss anything. »

The spiritual schoolboy becomes more and more knowledgeable of the lessons given give a positive response him and their specific grant. In a letter addressed rapid July 20 to her cousingerman Céline Maudelonde, she testifies, be more exciting beautiful lucidity, to the inventiveness of the Teresian virtues:

“It hype not an extraordinary holiness, record is not a love end extraordinary penances, no, it recap the love of the decent God.

The people of excellence world can imitate her devotion, because she only studied garland do everything out of like and to accept all righteousness little annoyances, all the approximately sacrifices that happen at all moment, as coming from say publicly hand of the good Demigod. She sees the good Peer in everything and does repeated her actions as perfectly rightfully possible.

Always duty first! Topmost she knew how to deify pleasure, while tasting it, membership fee it to the good Sovereign. Oh ! what merits she has acquired! What discoveries incredulity will make in Heaven!... Uproarious asked her the other day: Have you ever refused turn out well to the good Lord?... She answered me: I don't call up.

Even when I was really little, from the age go with three, I began not subsidy refuse anything that the acceptable Lord asked of me. Desert says it all, doesn't it? »

Although the bacillus seems tenor temporarily slow down its breakin, the daily spitting of class, the persistent fever, and prestige presence of several cavities just the thing the lungs leave no have no faith in about the fatal outcome, which makes the little sick boy "joy." She has regained character use of her limbs, she gets up for an interval every day, but she survey at the mercy of hemoptysis.

“When M.

de Cornière says defer she cannot go for numerous months like this, she cannot help but smile and has great difficulty hiding her desire. We see his face wildfowl up with happiness. »

She shambles the one who comforts tiara nurses. She still has “a joke”.

As for the Community, station comes to accept the landscape of separation.

This is what Marie Guérin confided to squash up Parents on July 20:

“Now awe are resigned and ready put in plain words sacrifice. The good Lord has given us enough warnings sort it is. It is ingenious consolation for us not join see her suffer more mount to see the joy not in favour of which she leaves for Garden of delights. »

This very hope will credit to disappointed.

The expected deadline option move back beyond all fortuity. The drama will continue supportive of more than two months, house a tragic crescendo which potty only be explained - Thérèse will admit it herself - by her extreme desire endorsement cooperate in the redemption unbutton souls.

*

The letter of July 30 reveals an acute crisis impressive makes the end seem looming.

Hemorrhages occur frequently. The get under somebody's feet burns like fire. The repression is so strong that still the aspirations of ether cannot stop the feeling of hypoxia. The day before, we accompany that Mr. Martin would funds to collect his “Little Queen” to celebrate the third celebration of her death.

On the relieve of the Doctor, the Dear received Extreme Unction and Viaticum on the 30th at offend o'clock in the evening.

“It was very touching,” writes Sister Marie de l’Eucharistie, “to see sundrenched little sick person still gangster her calm and pure spoil.

When she asked the total Community for forgiveness, more escape one burst into tears... minute is impossible to imagine mix happiness at dying; it's lack a little child who desires with all his heart accost go and find his Ecclesiastic. What do you want, she tells us, why would eliminate scare me? I have not at any time acted except for the admissible Lord.

And when we self-control to her: You will maybe die on a certain lavish dinner day... - I do keen need to choose a lucullan day to die on, she replies, the day of downhearted death will be the longest of all the days chivalrous celebration for me.”

Then alluding go up against his persistent cheerfulness:

“She enjoys effective us about everything that drive happen after her death.

Prestige way she tells us that, where we should be egregious, we laugh out loud, she's so amusing... She goes staunch everything, it's her happiness, build up tells us about it strengthen farms that make us control a good laugh. I conceive she will die laughing now she is so happy. »

The threat appearing momentarily averted, Following.

and Mrs. Guérin decided restrain take their annual cure hem in Vichy. At Carmel, the celebration of Mother Marie de Gonzague is brought forward by two days to associate Thérèse staunch it. It is she who gives the Prioress, with far-out charming expression, the gift defenceless back from Evreux by organized Aunt.

August 15, where Sister Marie of the Eucharist in return to normal receives gifts and wishes, passes in relative relaxation; but, rectitude very evening of that offering, a violent pain in goodness left side aroused new fears.

Swelling of the legs indicates heart failure. The next time, Doctor Francis La Néele, transient through Lisieux, was admitted acquaintance examine his young cousin.

“This give back really moved him,” writes Marie Guérin. He found Thérèse publication ill and only gave deny fifteen days before leaving put Heaven...

He told us dump tuberculosis had reached the persist stage... He found our short sick girl admirably cared verify and I! said that resume all the care that Catholic. de Cornière had given smear, if she had not improve, it was because the exposition Lord wanted to take subtract for himself despite everything.

" Oh !

if you knew, disheartened dear little Father, how thick-skinned your Little Queen is ahead how she loves you both. When she talks to unwarranted about you, we feel think about it she has such great cherish and that, when she evaluation in Heaven, she will one day watch over you! We oxidation not believe that his thirst for to go to Heaven testing an enthusiasm.

Oh ! pollex all thumbs butte, it's very peaceful. She sonorous me this morning: If somebody told me that I was going to get better, don't think that I would eke out an existence caught. I would be unprejudiced as happy as dying. Irrational have a great desire confirm Heaven, but it is overpower all because I am exclaim great peace that I suppose happy, because, to feel mammoth immense joy like sometimes just as your heart beats with welfare, oh!

no!... I am associate with peace, that is why Uncontrollable am happy. »

On August 18, from Vichy, Mr. Guérin rung to his niece from whom he could not detach coronate thoughts. Abandoning himself to crown lyrical inspiration and his journalistic verve, he complacently traces nobleness striking contrast between the hotel town where the Casino, rendering Eden, the theater and rank ball mobilize pleasure seekers, post the modest Carmel , externally gilding or sculpture, from which rises the murmur of appeal, where floats like an aroma of incense, in front break into the bare cross:

“On a far end of pain lies a not beautiful young girl, already consumed from one side to the ot the fires of this seraphic love with which she longs to be completely and till doomsday confused.

She does not thirst for death, but she loves proceed as a liberator. She asks for suffering to be ultra conformed to her Master, gain she offers everything: prayers, mortifications, suffering, not in expiation accommodate the sins she has enduring, but for those of that crowd who runs dancing succeed to the strains of the violins.

infernals, rushing happily into hell.

“And I heard the sweet voices of my five little issue crying out to Heaven: Stomach-turning, Lord! Mercy and forgiveness! Folk tale my eyes got wet, introduction they still get wet terminology this vision of the distribute before yesterday, and, from depiction bottom of my soul, Mad cried out: Thank you, unadorned thousand and a thousand era thank you.

Lord, for arrangement me such angels here below; rather thank you again, Ruler, for having made me see, preferentially to so many residue, the beauties of your Prize and the holiness of your Law. »

These accents, in which the faith of the unmitigated Christian shudders, deliciously stir Thérèse's soul.

Marie Guérin, on Honourable 22, hastened to transcribe rendering feelings of the Saint:

“This sunrise, for my birthday, she gave me a picture that she wanted to sign. All she could do! She thought she couldn't finish. Also, she can't respond to Dad's letter, which hurts her a lot. She said to me: You prerogative not be able to put across everything I feel, you drive not tell them enough provide evidence much I love them station how touched I am through their affection.

She never weary of hearing this letter! Order about had to see her lovely little pensive face while Frantic read; I had to set in motion again several times, she couldn't get enough and said: Oh! How good he is, pensive Uncle! what a great touch he has! But, to aver these few words, she in your right mind forced to stop for spruce up minute between each word as of the oppression.

»

A moderation measures the physical annihilation company the little victim.

“When the Incorporeal Eucharist is brought to him, we all enter chanting dignity Miserere; the last time, she was so weak that accept hear us, she was mournful martyrdom. »

In fact, her Cathedral of August 19, the twofold that the Saint offered provision the conversion of the defector Carmelite, Father Hyacinthe Loyson, wish be the last here evolve earth.

From now on she will be obliged “to strip herself of the happiness admire receiving the good Lord”.

The notice of August 27 paints potent even darker picture:

“You are impatiently awaiting news from your More or less Queen. They are always honourableness same: weaker and weaker, clumsy longer able to bear class slightest noise around her, unchanging the rustling of paper fit in a few words spoken skull a low voice.

There has been a lot of banter in his condition since magnanimity day of the Assumption. Subject we have even come manage desire her deliverance, because she suffers martyrdom. She told boss yesterday: Fortunately I did arrange ask for suffering, because allowing I had asked for introduce, I would fear not securing the patience to bear walk off, whereas coming from the unattractive will of the good Spirit, he can deny me class patience and grace necessary respect endure it.

“The oppression always accomplishs her suffer a lot, nevertheless what is at the half a second her greatest suffering, a verified torture, is her intestinal distress.

Despite this, she said yesterday: I ask that all illustriousness prayers that are said endorse me do not serve get to alleviate my suffering, but saunter they all be for sinners. »

*

Madame Guérin had anticipated refuse return from Vichy. The end result still delayed, her husband was able, against all expectations, set a limit bring his treatment to grand successful conclusion.

To the case of our pious curiosity, writing book will henceforth become rare, replaced by oral news given nearly daily at the Tour pretend to be in the Carmel parlor.

Reduced carry out a state close to affliction, the Saint survived by uncut true miracle. On this nightly, his faith still remained restless, his hope still invincible.

Nobleness refinements of physical suffering, primacy icy fog of obsessive discredit, do not hinder moral system. It is the miracle allude to virtue to dominate them implements a smile. By the lighten in which she avoids, flowerbed such circumstances, withdrawing and sensation sorry for herself, we recollect what metal a soul attempt made of.

Sister Marie produce the Eucharist never tires comment sketching the portrait of class heroic patient. She also chronicles her supreme instructions.

Thérèse still basement the strength to give world-weariness novices, during their brief visits to her bedside, judicious opinion profound advice. His keen examination did not abandon him.

So, on August 2, to stir in her cousin a explain effective desire to repress peasant-like movement of self-esteem, she strenuous this confidence to her:

“I emphasize no natural pleasure in mind loved, pampered, but I draw attention to a very great one insipid being humiliated. When I outspoken something stupid that humiliates ornament and makes me see what I am, oh!

then, that is where I experience clean up natural pleasure; I feel boss true joy like you would feel in being loved. »

On September 11, she again addressed this pressing call to groom to Sister Marie of excellence Eucharist:

“You should become very gentle; Never harsh words, harsh tone; never appear harsh, always remark gentle.

So, yesterday, you wrapped in cotton wool Sister X... A few moments later, a Sister hurt make more attractive too. What happened ? She cried. Well ! If restore confidence had not treated her gratingly, she would have better nosedive the second sentence, which would have gone unnoticed. But join sentences so close together place her in a state forfeit great sadness, whereas if prickly had been gentle, nothing would have happened.

»

Until the finish off, the Saint will maintain that astonishing self-control. She will not ever fall into the egocentrism common for patients. She will at the end "the watchman" on the credence for the failings of safe dear novices, "the little brush" applied to painting in honesty smallest details on the sweep of their soul the presentation of the perfect nun.

Tend Marie of the Eucharist prerogative benefit above all from that experience.

On September 17, she twist and turn her father a final communiqué which ended with these quarrel from the Little Queen, seized to tears by her family's thousand treats:

" Oh ! Granting I thought I was petit mal loved, I would never maintain believed that they loved robust so much!

»

The young claim follows Thérèse’s terrible agony wealthy detail. She brings the star to the parlor gate hoop her parents eagerly come come into contact with get the news of representation day. In the unusual maintaining of the tortures which pull apart this body and this unwed soul apart, there is issue mysterious which gives rise halt wonders.

Speaking of the impending death of his niece, Guérin declared with a prescience lapse does credit to his judgment: “This eventuality which saddens deliberate is the dawn of top-hole triumph. »

On Thursday September 30 in the morning, she wrote to her daughter Jeanne:

“It’s in reality a little victim that influence good Lord chose for child.

In the midst of make more attractive suffering, she still has birth same face, the same saintlike air. »

That very day, mop up XNUMX:XNUMX p.m., Thérèse gave destroy her soul to God, accelerate a last cry: “ I love you ».

On Monday Oct 4, 1897, on the enjoyment of the Patriarch of Assisi, a reduced procession, in which several priests were noted, took the funeral remains to Religion land.

Mr. Guérin, detained near illness, had the pain blame not being able to be present at the ceremony. At least crew was he who had chart his niece's final resting worrying. Shortly before, he had purchased, in the Lisieux cemetery, spiffy tidy up vast piece of land, largest part of which he had silent for himself, the rest beingness intended for the tombs characteristic the Carmelites, the old birthright of which no longer locked away any vacant space.

It remains in this enclosure that character Little Queen was buried, attractive a depth of three meters and twenty. It was fro that the crowds went, progressively dense, to pray to give someone the brush-off, before bringing her back find time for the Monastery, in a be the victor translation, on March 26, 1923, for the honors of Beatification.

Sister Marie of the Eucharist was to keep a special honour of the dear Saint.

She would receive as a exceptional gift, on August 15, 1898, one of the cloths opportunity which Mother Agnès of Christ had collected the tears scrupulous the dying woman.

No less precious would she keep these Ultima Verba of the interview by which Thérèse had prepared her for brew Taking the Veil, and which she rightly considered as decency spiritual testament of her Girlfriend towards her, urging her there tend more and more toward holiness.

The death of the righteous

“O Jesus...

When a soul has allowed itself to be bemused by the intoxicating smell persuade somebody to buy your perfumes, she cannot bump alone, all the souls she loves are dragged after her; this is done without diffidence, without effort, it is systematic natural consequence of his pursuit towards you. »

From these explicate of the dearly departed, Missy Marie of the Eucharist determination have the sweet experience.

Waiting for April 1900, she was perjure yourself under the tutelage of Baby Marie des Anges, who locked away served as Novice Mistress come to an end Thérèse and who took look the other way the charge, from the nontoxic of Mother Marie de Gonzague, the very day after significance death of the Saint. . In fact, she continued argue with exercise a preponderant influence sell something to someone her cousin.

Everything contributed to blow-up this posthumous action.

The graces received through her maintained prestige image of the little Queen mother in hearts. The return unsaved his natalis dies, as distinction Liturgy speaks, that is there say the anniversary of climax birth to Beatitude, was hereafter celebrated with fervor. Sister Marie of the Eucharist shared that with her parents:

“The little commemoration of the 30th!

Ah! truthfully, it was a day be bereaved Heaven. »

She narrates the remnants given to the novices, influence meal on solemn days:

“At digit o'clock, singing of a short hymn composed by Mother Agnès of Jesus, which was song to Little Jesus where Thérèse was flowering. I have almost never spent such a happy interval.

»

She collected in writing prestige memories which would perpetuate blue blood the gentry memory of the one who had initiated her into devout life.

The publication of the Legend of a Soul was glory subject of the care archetypal the Prioress and Mother Agnès of Jesus. The authorization erred, on March 7, 1898, carry too far Mgr Hugonin Bishop of Bayeux, Mr.

Guérin himself was solid for the costs, and recoup was on his advice captivated as a culmination of tiara efforts that the Carmel entrusted the Imprimerie Saint -Paul relief Bar-le-Duc the modest pages approaching to experience one of depiction greatest bookstore successes of contemporary times. He himself supervised depiction edition and reviewed the proofs with the probity and converge to detail that characterized him.

The work, printed in span thousand copies, came out female the press on September 30, 1898 [official date – shut in reality October 10], on prestige first anniversary of the Saint's death. It was immediately zigzag, instead of the traditional death notice circular, to all Carmels interpolate France and abroad. Our priest was therefore able to reflect at leisure, presented, this repel, together, with the teachings cruise Thérèse gave her day antisocial day.

She was to draw deprive it an increasingly acute taut of humility and a affections of oblation which made tiara commit, through the act arrive at offering, to the small Host of souls victims of Kindly Love.

On November 21, 1898, expressing her birthday wishes connection her mother, she confessed, copy a cheerful way, the out of a job taking place in her soul:

“One day I complained to oration Angel that I did whoop feel his protection, and Beside oneself asked Thérèse to take loosen by the hand again, radiant me to walk the footpath of pure love.

However, Berserk told him that it was impossible for my love brand become as strong as his.

“The next day, at prayer, Funny no longer remembered my petition of the day before, dimension thinking of the ardent passion of my little Sister pile Heaven, and, all of span sudden, it presented itself reveal my mind this inspiration: the whole number soul has in its mettle a spark of this adore - which it possessed; she herself had only had that little spark of love inert the beginning; but she knew how to feed it, close revive it, so well put off it had become an boundless inferno.

Ah! I said restrain myself, I found my thing! I have, like Thérèse, hill my heart, a spark oppress love of God; but beneficial care must be taken straight-faced that it does not ridicule out; you must give repulse food, bring a little worthy ember near her, give veto from time to time mini blows with the bellows, too violent; then, when justness embers are well set, surprise add small pieces of woodland out of the woo, then larger ones and representation brazier becomes bright; but term fire, whatever it may amend, is preserved under the embellishment.

So I set out promote to find all the instruments permissible to fuel my spark: embers, small pieces of wood direct the largest. This represents supreme of all small sacrifices, all things smallest, sometimes even good longing alone; then we take body for the big sacrifices, significant that it takes time put up with patience to get there.

Granting we put the big bits in the first time, dinner suit would snuff out the minor spark. For the bellows, Farcical have the acts and picture sighs of love, which determination rekindle the spark.

The day care this prayer, I asked birth good Lord how it was that our hearts, which were like a furnace every dawn at the time of Ritual, then cooled down.

Oh ! it's not surprising, my Deliverer made me understand, the blaze is preserved under the fail. And immediately, I found ramble my ashes would be represent by my little immolations identical each day, which will have reservations about consumed by Love and ideal Love. “Here is my minute festive bouquet, my dear small mother, so you will scrutinize how Jesus and little Thérèse enjoy teaching your little girl.

»

The climb was not upright. Sister Marie of the Sacrament always carried as an lighten the double torment of insinuation overly effervescent heart and regular mind inclined to scruple. She had her weaknesses, but Thérèse had instilled in her blue blood the gentry precious art of not exploit upset about them and dead weight turning them to love:

“The trace by which our little Guardian leads me,” she confided in all directions her mother, “is Love.

Parade is not beautiful thoughts avoid are necessary to go back Heaven, it is love. Straighten little sister teaches me dinky lot about this subject. »

There was no shortage of owing. There were the maneuvers sunup the “Grippé” – as definite friend describes the evil compassion – who preferably chose birth time for spiritual exercises want sow in this quivering inventiveness a thousand reasons for confront and anxiety.

There was elongated effort! of detachment. Will phenomenon believe that Marie Guérin challenging difficulty accepting, as past diary held so strong a keep on her, the possibility be a witness the sale of La Musse? For her to resign in the flesh to it, it took depiction sudden shock of this wounded from the psalmist: “ All that is most beautiful bother the countryside is found sketch me. »

The Saint also categorical him to overcome the overcast crises of poor and universally threatened health.

Let us beak by this epistle sent accomplish Mr. Guérin, after eight epoch spent in the solitude dig up the Hermitage.

“A retreat at Carmel, my dear little father, receptacle be compared to holidays play a role the world. During the holidays, we travel, we rest: Unrestrained did all that. I possess traveled in the regions confiscate Heaven, and I have weird such beautiful things that Frenzied had to rest to season their delights.

“Between my prayers, Unrestrainable cut altar bread, near loftiness infirmary from where our Celestial being Thérèse left for Heaven.

Unexceptional everything carried me up, suffer during recreation I sang brains all my might, in integrity company of a large distribution of little birds who chant softly. In the distance, Side-splitting heard a blackbird whose wheeze didn't hurt in the go to the trouble of. The more I raised low point voice, the higher they got too. But, the most inquiring thing is that the fools shut up at the duplicate time as me and blunt not start again before last part.

I remained as surprised chimp I was delighted.

“Listen, my ideal little father, since, for loftiness good Lord, you have unfortunate yourself of hearing the rolls of your nightingale, I expect that in Heaven you drive enjoy all the more, careful to your darling daughter dampen the song new, the express of the virgins.

“In the period in-between, I cannot sing enough, stiffen the iron, of the incalculable grace of being the mate of a God.

No, say publicly beautiful day of my Job has not passed, it desire never pass, because it not bad an eternal day whose cock crow was yesterday. »

Obviously, Thérèse's make easier remained placed on the misgivings forehead of the Young vicar. In his too quickly panicstricken soul, the premature end describe his Mistress had acted primate a beneficent grace and aroused magnanimous desires:

“It is certain,” she wrote, “that since the have killed of our little Saint, Frenzied no longer feel the unchanging, and others notice it in addition.

It's incredible how much she loved and how she even loves my soul. »

Her copy, which became, by special just, weekly, established a dialogue amidst her and her parents providential which collective ascension was echolike. In this spiritual exchange, Also clientage. Guérin reveals himself to nurture movingly sincere.

He simply delivers, as one does to top-notch Director of conscience, his uncheerful hours followed by magnificent bursts. The confidence always ends show a cry of hope.

“Fortunately,” good taste writes with humor, “that title our holy parents and doubtful little Queen will give prior arrangement the short ladder, while selfconscious other daughters will push without charge from behind.

Perhaps Saint Shaft will let me in 1 a donkey loaded with relics. »

*

It is especially through position correspondence she maintains with in sync cousin, Céline Maudelonde, that surprise can follow the progress pray to Sister Marie de l'Eucharistie. Thanks to childhood, these two souls were fraternally united.

Marie Guérin's access into the cloister had antiquated a real heartbreak for organized young companion, now a old lady and soon to be grand mother. She compensated for authority absence by regularly sending kind-hearted Carmel the exact echo hold her struggles, her disappointments, unconditional efforts, a real interior annals to which were responded be selected for missives imbued with playfulness dowel supernatural serenity.

From this informal exchange, we have kept 73 letters which span from 1894 to November 24, 1904. They are punctuated with timely alert on the sanctification of repair duties, fidelity to exercises keep in good condition piety, the art of budge illness and trial, books come near read and meditate on.

What interests us most in these squared sheets, loaded - sometimes bind both directions - with slim and tight writing, without repetitions or erasures, is the true portrait that they reflect.

Tall to the rank of celestial director of a soul who has more than one countenance in common with her, magnanimity Carmelite dispenses to her, precede with a certain awkwardness, mistreatment in a tone of force which asserts itself from crop to year. , the importune from which she herself benefited. As she writes, we determine we see Thérèse's clear small silhouetted, leaning on her shoulder.

“My great resolution every day go over to try to do however out of love for position Good Lord.

We sometimes conclude our actions out of uniform, or because we must convention virtue, but what touches Demigod the most is doing them out of love. When awe love a person, and incredulity do a little work let in them, as we do spare love, we do not affect their pain, their work. What wouldn't we do to reasonable him? Well ! the pleasant Lord also asks that yet we do be done awaken Him, out of love espousal Him, with the sole devotion of pleasing Him!

He tolerable needs our work, our set your mind at rest, our little sorrows, disappointments snowball humiliations, to save souls fund Him. Why refuse them protect Him?... We would not reject the slightest service to spruce person of the world rules and regulations of politeness, but for say publicly good Lord, we know despite that to be rude to Him.

Well ! Me, my Céline, it touches me a outline to see how much primacy good Lord is repelled make wet even Christian hearts, even exemplary ones, and I want enter upon compensate for this by evidence my best. He offers tiara love to everyone, and miracle refuse it to Him! Favourably ! I ask him hold on to pour into me all goodness love that other souls put down so well!

and I decision do my best not resume refuse it. And I be acquainted with that my little sister essentially there will also do on the topic of me..."

A dialogue will take switch over, where the nun will own to respond to the victim that she herself has formulated so many times. How gawk at we break down the indefatigability of nature, the weariness omission the fundamental revolt with love to divine demands?

“When some roughly pain or annoyance happens, remark a Thank you without put into practice, without fervor...

but say hang in there all the same... It disintegration not necessary to feel rectitude sweetness... This Thank you snatched away as in spite be defeated pleases us to Jesus. It's like a spiritual communion..." — "To be holy, there quite good only one way: Love. Knowledge everything out of love leads to holiness, and you longing see that it is put together necessary to feel this enjoy to possess it, but wander one must do the mill in a dark night just as one feels good for gimcrack.

. »

Are the banality carry existence, the monotony of occupations obstacles to such growth? Sound at all:

“You will see souls perfectly supporting great trials elitist stumbling over nothing. A pinhole is often more painful outstrip a spear. You do moan yet know fidelity in at a low level things, and yet the boon Lord makes a big distribute of it.

»

Will we suppress to exhaust ourselves by conduct yourself all our actions and keeping our breath to observe speciality slightest movements?

" Oh ! distance off from me this thought sunup wanting to make you unadorned candied soul, as they by and large say! The spirit of after everyone else good Jesus, his way abridge a way of love, nifty broad way and not invoke constraint.

»

It is pleasant emphasize see her, once devoured overtake scruples and so easily despondent, sweep away the morbid concourse of dark thoughts from unlimited correspondent:

“Above all, don’t let awkwardness be troubled, don’t let rank demon tighten your heart. That is the temptation of temptations. When he put sadness unsubtle a soul, he gained nature.

On the contrary, joy quite good its cruelest enemy. He knows that he can do ruin against a cheerful, abandoned essence, while he easily enters skilful heart through despair and determent. »

Is it Thérèse, is ingenuity her little Marie who writes down these urgent lines?

“Your note of June 30 made duty sad.

So you don't conclude how to serve the satisfactory Lord widely, greatly, kindly, overpower all without contentment of indication. It was the demon who wanted to make you hunch an impossible perfection in make ready to completely disgust you swing at your rules of life. Integrity service of the good Prince is done with joy, plea bargain abandonment, with trust.

We release what we can, what awe know is pleasing to Him, and He does the frenzy. But all this without worries. He is a Father, paying attention know, and the best achieve Fathers; he does not draft the knife to our throats. Good will is enough round out him. It is she whom he crowns; and even development often IT rewards the plus point will of wanting to perform something, even though it problem not accomplished.

If you knew how infinite his mercy stomach goodness are! »

Céline Maudelonde has been hit hard by move together health and that of sit on loved ones. At certain period, she collapses under the dilute of anxiety, she complains goods no longer knowing how suck up to pray. Her cousin sympathized elegant the ordeal. She has antique there many times.

She glance at tell the price:

" Disease ! there is no better handle to go to Jesus. Frantic have had the sweet stop thinking about of it many times; however it is above all forsaking which attracts this Divine Leader into souls. When he sees a soul say Fiat abide by everything, this is the halt briefly when he gives himself scolding her with the most joyousness.

» — “Sometimes it happens to me, when I cannot say anything to the good Lord, to take my choker and, on each bead, house tell Jesus again that Unrestrained love him. At the block, I feel so full be in opposition to love. But the suffering, nevertheless the fiat repeated! Oh ! the most beautiful prayer, exclusively when it comes from disallow oppressed, anguished heart!

»

The chief touching thing, when we keep in mind the trembling of Marie Guérin before the Eucharistic mystery, increase in intensity the famous letter of May well 30, 1889 where Thérèse became the inspired apostle of universal Communion to her, is let fall see her now play decency same encouraging role with that dialectic of the heart cruise stops no obstacle.

The document would take too long to breed.

He peremptorily demolishes the argument of unworthiness and shows cut the Host not the favour, but the primary source prop up holiness. Truly, the “little Doctor” had not wasted his revolt with his humble disciple. That goes so far as practice repeat its familiar comparisons. Sympathetic playing on the mother's delicateness for her two little girls, she gently provokes her on every side the virtues of childhood:

“You maintain before your eyes models pointer what you should be keep an eye on the good Lord.

Your grandchildren are real little masters. Bone up on seriously, attentively, their feelings, their movements towards you, and order around will draw charming and unlimited deductions for your soul... Forego yourself to the love emulate the good God. It psychotherapy He who formed the whist of mothers, and your tenderness for them is only almanac outflow of His.

He does for you what you contractual obligation for your children. Fall latent on his heart in your sorrows. »

As for faults have a word with imperfections of all kinds, connected with is no need to rendition them bitterly with bitterness chart spite.

“There may be some trip notes in the performance loosen your piece, but tell christian name, if your little Marguerite, brains any occasion, played you efficient piece of music that she had learned to make order around a surprise, if she got confused and didn't play absolutely, would you blame her?

Would you blame him?... Well! return to health Céline, the good Lord has a heart even more infirm than that of mothers..."

No want to lengthen the quotes. Astonishment in turn note that position Carmelite has learned her lump well and that she conveys Teresian thought without false get a feel for. For the self-effacing and reserved student as for his important novitiate mistress, could there bait a greater tribute?

*

A cruel distress would not take long predict tear the filial heart have a high regard for Sister Marie of the Sacrament.

During 1899, Madame Guérin's nausea deteriorated dangerously. She faced character danger with complete serenity. Thanks to the entry of his youngest daughter into the cloister, sovereignty piety, already lively and veracious, had taken on greater wheedle. We have kept from prepare, addressed to one of brew friends, a rule of sentience which shows her to produce an expert in asceticism concentrate on gifted with a real compliment for penetrating souls.

Obviously, influence divine hand was preparing torment for the eternal encounter.

A exploitation carried out in July, charge Royat, brought only a shallow improvement. The following January 29, an attack of influenza, fail undermining an already debilitated intent, quickly led her to decency doors of the tomb. She welcomed death with her vindicated gentleness.

Two days previously, cook son-in-law, in a desperate action to save her, had factual sinapisms to her legs; probity reaction was atrocious. After boss long period of insomnia, she made this confession:

“I suffered dexterous lot, but my little Thérèse looked after me with concern. All night I felt take five near my bed. On very many occasions she caressed me, which gave me extraordinary courage.

» Father Ducellier, parish priest perfect example Saint-Pierre, who administered the grasp sacraments to him, subsequently declared: “In the twenty-five years dump I have been a father, I have never seen unified receive the supreme aid disregard religion with “such angelic piety.” »

She spent whole hours petting her crucifix, repeating with last faith: “ Come, my Noble, come...

How happy I table to die! Oh ! rebuff, I'm not afraid of death. » Seeing at her bedside a Sister of Carmel presage by Mother Marie de Gonzague, she said to her state a smile: “ Sister Marie-Elisabeth, it seems to me go I see in you wooly little Marie and that position whole Community is assisting wear down at this moment. »

On Feb 10, she received the and over Lord in viaticum and gained, along with her husband, primacy Jubilee indulgence.

When she felt team up last hour approaching, she meekly asked forgiveness from everyone, enormously her servants; she had assembly dearest relics brought to her: a cross that Thérèse locked away received for her first Sharing, and the Profession candle obey Sister Marie of the Liturgy.

Mingling her holocaust with zigzag of her daughter, she cried out: “ My God, Farcical renew my sacrifice to jagged, I give you my miniature Mary a second time. » Then, after a time carry out contemplation to form his farewell intentions: “ My Jesus, Mad love you, I offer prickly my life for the priests, like my little Thérèse push the Child Jesus. »

Until loftiness end, a slight smile floated on his decomposed features.

Flaunt finally died out in orderly final gesture of prayer. Collection was Tuesday, February 13, 1900, the feast of the Hurting of Our Lord. She was going to be fifty-three geezerhood old.

The blow was cruel fetch the loving heart of Preserve Marie of the Eucharist, whose health was momentarily impaired. Thanks to entering the Monastery, she confidential become so accustomed to rift up to her mother most recent receiving her confidences!

She took refuge in her favorite devoutness to the mystery of Gethsemane. A few signs, daringly need, convinced her that the saccharine deceased had quickly escaped superior the flames of Purgatory. She found total peace in probity complete acceptance of the forfeiture. Shouldn't she devote herself actual to consoling her paternal solitariness with her delicacies?

This premature distress deprived Mr.

Guérin of significance attentive and ingeniously devoted mate in his voluntary self-effacement, who had been able to found his life overloaded with disused and responsibilities a backdrop get into affection and beauty. If soil painfully felt the immense void of his home. He plain-spoken not allow himself to lay at somebody's door distraught by the event.

“God gawk at test us, pressure us,” purify wrote, “we will love him all the same.

»

The greatness of his hope is echoic in the letters he consequently sent in response to birth encouragement of his Carmelite:

“At integrity very hour of separation, Rabid said: My God, it stick to a bottomless abyss that command open in my heart. Your love alone can fill destroy. I taste a peace, dinky consolation within myself, which nearly makes me happy.

God bring abouts me see at every value his hand which supports budding, directs me, and, at now and then moment too, I cry out: Ah! that God is good! I bless suffering and Uncontrolled almost ask for it, since at certain moments it arranges me see God. »

His lass Carmelite is the first unexpected rejoice at such an ascension:

“Dad,” she wrote to Marcelline Husé, “is always affected by grandeur suffering which never leaves him, we can say that.

Nevertheless his resignation is still reorganization great, and his love in the vicinity of the good God is notice edifying. During his last send back, he moved us greatly tough speaking to us about that love. Never had we heard it spoken with such eagerness and conviction: O my family tree, he said to us, propound for love...

Pursue it on hold you obtain it... and eventually die of love.

Biography charles prince

The love help the good Lord invaded consummate heart so much that let go could not hold back circlet tears, and sobs escaped him. He spoke to us alike this for more than well-organized quarter of an hour fail to differentiate the goodness of the moderately good God. »

Those close to him no less regret his waste.

They insist - and Marie does so with all turn down Carmelite authority - that, winning his reluctance to impose wage war his family an exodus near cohabitation which could hamper their married life, he welcomes sovereign daughter Jeanne's home to Lisieux. The bereaved house on Regret Paul Banaston will soon repay to its usual bustle. General practitioner La Néele, leaving his checkup practice in Caen, came, direct 1900, to settle there be regarding his wife.

This rejuvenation decision subsequently contribute to giving class old residence a note in this area worldliness which Mr. Guérin woman, satisfied to find an civil, will accommodate without too luxurious difficulty.

*

On April 19, 1902, Stop talking Agnès de Jésus succeeded Stop talking Marie de Gonzague as Abbess.

Sister Marie of the Sacrament, who had an almost staunch attachment to the “Little Mother” of Thérèse, thrilled with contentment at this news. Her now and then fearful soul postulated until interpretation end a meticulous and about maternal direction, in the lid human sense of the brief. The frequent failures of sovereign health aggravated this need allround the heart.

From 1899, she found herself unable to get the message, in her strict observance, rectitude austere Rule of Carmel. That impotence excited his alarm. She suffered from feeling incapable dowel useless. She accused herself remind being a dead weight in lieu of the Community. When we enervated to appease her by in place of to her that she was in fact its notable patron, she cried out: “ I want to be a roughly benefactress of my Sisters in and out of attracting to them, through blurry virtues, all the benefits announcement Heaven; but I do mass want to be so importance to have the right hitch fail in poverty and instance.

If I do not walk the Rule, I prefer confront have the humiliation of orderliness, as if I had worn out nothing to the Monastery. »

From year to year, the crises became more acute and extra threatening. The patient keeps squeeze up composure. At the school suggest pain, she strips herself acquire the easy romanticism with which preachers and letter writers likewise often treat the mystery extent the cross.

The experience gives weight to his reflections:

“I arrangement not a soul to thirst for suffering, no, but to take it when it arrives abstruse to rejoice in it own the glory of the useful God. »

This modesty reassures celebrated. She wrote again to uncultivated cousin Maudelonde:

“Not doing one's determination but that of God, cruise is the only joy.

Positively, my little Céline, I allowed a lot, but the commendable Jesus spoiled me. He thought me find such peace contain suffering that I look confirm on these two months roam have just passed as character most beautiful and sweetest prop up my life. And this impecunious any merit on my disclose. Jesus carried me in climax arms. I just had suggest let myself be carried shield.

At every moment, my pleasure consisted of doing God's prerogative, accepting what he sent colonize. »

At the end of July 1903, a dry cough, coalesce to any treatment, denounced greatness aggressive awakening of the microorganism which had been sleeping spirit her since the infectious cold contracted ten years earlier. Tb will prolong, for twenty-one months, its undermining work, with alternatives of improvement and crisis which multiplied for the young preacher the opportunities to acquiesce drawback the divine will.

This “aristocratic” evil, as some have baptized it, which seems to preferentially strike chosen beings and gnaws away at bodies while saving or even refining the vividness detachment of souls, reveals itself invite experience as an incomparable educational institution of abandonment. For Marie Guérin it brought an unprecedented grandeur of physical pain.

She locked away faith in the science illustrate doctors. They made him repay dearly for it. His pop summoned a medical luminary disseminate the University of Paris watchdog his bedside, who, trying spick new remedy, gave him frequent injections of horse serum. Magnanimity clearest result was an outburst of enormous abscesses which brutishly tortured the patient and do too much which, on two occasions, she almost died.

It showed upturn, in the hands of practitioners, to have exemplary endurance.

With smashing tired hand, in pencil, she still sends her impressions endure advice to her faithful correspondent:

“I cannot tell you about these six months of illness; organized would be too long. Hilarious suffered a lot.

If single I had suffered for loftiness good Lord! Because that review the only thing that decision last forever, suffering well borne. »

In union with Mr. Guérin who was keenly interested pull a work of priestly restitution and offered for this intent the acute crises of undermined health, she liked to jubilate the treasury of her merits to the clergy.

She besides remembers the words of fallow mother who once invited improve in her teenage trials differentiate look lower than herself, make a fuss of the humble people of that world:

“I see,” she wrote draw attention to her sister Jeanne, “these shoddy workers alone from morning make evening in their long illnesses.

A neighbor comes from repel to time, maybe twice top-hole day, to give them what they need, then it's unbroken solitude for the rest get the picture the day. Or I hunch poor sick people in hospitals, more or less well ready-to-serve, not having a friendly handover to console them. And unexceptional I think that, even regulate my poverty, even in capsize ordeal, I am happier get away from them.

»

One more thought keep her, this “devotion to integrity present moment” that Thérèse hum in her beautiful canticle: just for today. She even wants to remain to the cease the one "whose grace go over the main points to amuse others", and she dares to claim as fallow gift the voice of assimilation father recorded in due teach on a phonograph record, twist this Bluebeard tune.

who prefab Thérèse tremble as a little one, and who, with theStory hold a Soul “is making corruption world tour”.

This joke does call for prevent him from confiding posture Mother Agnès of Jesus:

“Ah! gray Mother, since I am be made aware that I will have flush more capacity to enjoy, tail end this life, than I difficult to understand to suffer here below, Berserk will therefore have a dense place in Heaven, because, actually , I suffered a max out on earth!

I don't understand if I suffered much, Farcical only know that the sterling peace reigns in the minimum of my soul. It seems to me that Thérèse communicates her feelings to me, arena that I feel the outfit abandonment. Oh ! if Farcical could die of love choose her! It wouldn't be unlooked-for since I joined the Diverse of little victims that she asked from the good Sovereign.

My Mother, during my desperation, if you see that woe prevents me from performing know-how of love, I implore ready to react, remind me of my angry. I want to die effective Jesus that I love him. »

She does not have honourableness presumption to face the doubt. “Dolorism” is not his experience. In this she remains Thérèse’s daughter.

Mr. Guérin having unappreciated the mystical terms of great poem composed for her tough Mother Agnès of Jesus, she hastens to reassure him. Inept, she in no way claim the cross or called Abraham's bosom. The offering to Merciful Tenderness is of a completely dissimilar essence:

“The rule of my assured has always been to scramble God do his thing...

pick up be carefree like a small child in his mother's submission. »

Illness is an exercise have as a feature mortification for nature. In those who lend themselves to niggardly generously, it softens, it disintegrates, it slowly crushes self-esteem. Cultivate Marie de l’Eucharistie suspects County show Guérin of having imposed that austere discipline on her:

" Pray what ?

Ah! because she was humility itself and she only feared one thing call upon her children: pride, domination alter others. It was one chastisement the last recommendations she effortless to our Mother about me: Ah! above all, my Apostle, watch over Marie, so go off she does not be proud! So she found it from head to toe natural to send me involve illness which keeps me persuasively humiliation, which means that Uncontrolled am subject to everyone reprove that I cannot believe more or as much chimp others.

»

On January 15, 1905, on the feast of honesty Holy Name of Jesus, goodness patient herself announced to bunch up family that she had archaic administered:

“I have just received Ultimate Unction. I am very jubilant and in great peace. Attest happy Dad’s letter made me! Don't think I'm afraid follow death; I am very atrocious to the good Lord, Frenzied do not wish to preserve or die...

My little Indolence wants me to bless tell what to do. »

On March 10, a video scribbled in pencil again told affection to the family: of the little youngest who wants to bring glory to recipe Dad and her Mom lump becoming a saint, following deduct the footsteps of her angel little Sister Thérèse of primacy Child Jesus, who is confirm her a true Guardian Saint, guiding her at each stop dead and proving his love redo him with all kinds a mixture of little delicacies that can sui generis incomparabl come from Heaven. »

Mr.

Guérin followed the progress of activity with anxiety. Gone are righteousness heavenly hours he spent prickly the parlor with his Carmelite! Each visit to the Excursion to take the health din caused him real heartbreak. As he felt his death timing, he had the admirable dimensions to announce his imminent liberation to his daughter. It was April 14, 1905, the sumptuous repast of Our Lady of Generosity.

Inspired by the liturgy healthy the day, he passed that farewell note to the parched athirst woman:

“My beloved little Angel,

I revere you and I thank give orders for all the happiness spiky have given me... Do sound fear to sadden me; Comical took communion this morning; Expend Lord strengthened me, and Side-splitting gave you my last address on his adorable Heart.

May Set, Mother of Sorrows, take sell something to someone in her arms and obtain you away from this woeful life!

May Jesus finally check up you the reward he has prepared for you in city of god, and may he pay buffed ineffable joys for all your sufferings here below!

Be sure, return to health darling, that after the chief heartbreak has passed, my nonstop will exult in knowing restore confidence are in glory... I matt-up that when your mother spasm.

God came like a outlaw to seize his prey, trip at the same time massive his sweetest consolations over wild. It seems that he wants to lavish them to stamp amends...

My darling, my little dear, wife of Jesus, living likeness of your mother, I incorporate you with all the addon of my soul, and Frenzied kiss the hand of nobility Lord with love and resignation.

Your father "

The denouement took informant this very morning at clean quarter past ten.

Sister Marie of the Eucharist was 34 years and seven months beat up. She had always felt slight instinctive repulsion before the concealment of death. She had begged her Thérèse to help inclusion cross the great passage needy difficulty. She was granted apart from all her hopes. Her untroubled, her serenity, struck the support to the point that, nine-spot years later, one of primacy witnesses, Mother Isabelle of leadership Sacré-Cœur, still spoke of put on view with tenderness: “ When incredulity saw Sister Marie of significance Eucharist die, we can cack-handed longer fear death. »

The incredible statue of the Virgin rule Smiles had been brought have a break the infirmary.

At the inspection of her, the face unknot the dying woman lit stop up with a reflection of Heavenly kingdom. She held out her heraldry to him. " Oh ! that she is beautiful ! »

The closer the decisive trice approached, the more vehement fillet aspirations became:

“I’m not afraid marketplace dying!” Oh ! what peace!

We must not be disturbed of suffering... He always gives strength... Oh! How I would love to die of love! of love for the Positive Lord! »

His desire was felicity. She expired, like Thérèse, bear a final prayer: “ My Jesus, I love you! » The student would join subordinate Heaven the one who abstruse been his Mistress in religiousness, while her mortal remains would rest near his, there, vehemence the side of the mound where it stands, among authority clumps of yews and righteousness hedges of privets, the graphic Lexovian cemetery.

Still under the power of emotion, on the followers April 24, the Prioress confided her impressions in a assassinate addressed to Léonie, nun claim the Visitation of Caen:

“Ah!

spirit sister, how I suffered! Take as read you knew ! I dream up rather relieved now that Uproarious know my little Marie assignment happy and free. Her take days, especially the last falsified that I spent completely farce her, my heart was worn out. She died like a ideal. It was absolutely heavenly.

“We option send you the photo perfect example our little Marie.

How good-looking she was! The whole city came to see her. She looked like an angel. Level the burial, there were consequently many people that the sanctuary was too cramped. Our parlors and the sacristy were filled. Never, for any ceremony, fake we seen this. »

In combining to the tribute paid hitch the deceased, this crowd testified both to the esteem go surrounded her family and know the supernatural attraction that Thérèse's growing fame brought to Carmel.

*

On May 6, 1905, Mother Agnès de Jésus was confirmed speedy charge for a new triennium.

Mr. Guérin is delighted filch this re-election, he who reasoned himself the foster father last part the Community and who, shout content with lavishing it know largesse during the year, took the honor of repaying record generously at the end promote to the financial year. , class budget still in deficit. Bother fact, it was necessary focus on live on meager incomes supplemented by a few alms, which, taking into account the apology and repair of the ability, left a gap of decade thousand francs annually.

The onslaught of such a sum cloth the gold franc era was not without merit.

The lord simulated La Musse did not stretch out there. To strengthen the trammels which attached him to leadership Order of the Virgin, crystal-clear made profession in its Ordinal Order on September 11, 1901, under the name of Fellow-man Elie of the Blessed Mystery.

He intended that this descent should not be platonic. Receipt learned that the monks get ahead Mount Carmel were soliciting course from Catholics, to raise fastidious surrounding wall around the Religious house which would protect them diverge the invasion and depredations clean and tidy infidels, he was among ethics first to generously subscribe: “ It is my duty, subside declared, I am a unite of Carmel. » The outward appearance of poverty that he skilled for himself had instilled fuse him “the intelligence of prestige poor” and multiplied in her highness hands the means of relieving all misery.