Instruction

Jesus has no need of books or teachers to instruct souls, He teaches without the noise of words. Never have I heard Him speak, but... I find just when I need them certain lights which I had not seen until then, and...these are most abundant in the midst of my daily occupations.

St. Therese (Story of a Soul, page 179)

Ah! how contrary are the teachings of Jesus to the feelings of nature! Without the help of His grace it would be impossible not only to put them into practice but to even understand them.

The Rosary

When I think of how much trouble I've had all my life trying to recite the rosary!

Sometimes when my mind is in such great dryness that it is impossible to draw forth one single thought to unite me with God, I very slowly recite an "Our Father" and then the angelic salutation (to Mary)... they nourish my soul much more than if I had recited them precipitately a hundred times.

At the time, I was having great interior trials of all kinds, even to the point of asking myself whether heaven really existed.

St. Therese of Lisieux

Jesus was sleeping as usual in my little boat; ah! I see very well how rarely souls allow him to sleep peacefully within them. Jesus is so fatigued with always having to take the initiative and attend to others. He hastens to take advantage of the repose I offer to Him.


St. Therese of Lisieux

In the evening at that moment when the sun seems to bathe itself in the immensity of the ocean waves, leaving a luminous trail behind, I went and sat down on a huge rock with Pauline. . . . I contemplated this luminous trail for a long time. It was to me the image of God's grace shedding its light across the path the little white-sailed vessel had to travel.

St. Therese of Lisieux

When we were on the way home, I would gaze upon the stars which were twinkling ever so peacefully in the skies and the sight carried me away. There was especially one cluster of golden pearls which attracted my attention and gave me great joy because they were in the form of a "T." I pointed them out to Papa and told him my name was written in heaven.

St. Therese of Lisieux