Meet St. Thérèse as never before in this latest book from Br. Joseph Schmidt! He provides practical teachings on how to live a life of grace and gratitude derived directly from the qualities and lessons that Thérèse learned to rely upon. Each chapter contains material directly from the writings and life experience of Thérèse, as well as mentoring messages that connect her wisdom with daily life today. It’s like having St. Thérèse as your spiritual director. And what could be better than that?

This remarkable biography of Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the most popular Catholic saints of all time, was commissioned by her sister and religious superior and was the first published in English in 1928. Msgr. August Pierre Laveille was able to portray Thérèse, as well as her parents Zélie and Louis who were canonized in 2015, with exquisite detail, having interviewed those who knew them best. When the autobiography of the life of Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul, was first published a year after her death in 1898, the response was immediate and overwhelming, with tens of thousands of copies of her book sold in just a few short months. It was decided that an official biography should be written from the documents that had been gathered on the life of Thérèse Martin, whose cause for canonization was taken up without the customary fifty year waiting period. First published in French in 1925, the first English edition became available in 1928. This exhaustive record of the life of one of the most beloved of all Catholic saints includes biographical information about her parents and grandparents, her early years at home, her years in the cloister, her illness and death, and information about the miracles attributed to her after her death, when she made good the promise on her deathbed that she would "spend her heaven doing good on earth."

Translated from the critical edition by John Clarke, OCD, 3rd ed. (1997). Includes Bibliography, general Index, and 11 photos. Two and a half years before her death in 1897 at the age of 24, as Thérèse Martin began writing down her childhood memories at the request of her blood sisters in the Lisieux Carmel, few could have guessed the eventual outcome. Yet this "story of my soul," first published in 1898 in a highly edited version, quickly became a modern spiritual classic, read by millions and translated into dozens of languages around the world. Decades later, in response to growing requests from scholars and devotees of the Saint, a facsimile edition of the manuscripts appeared, along with more popular French editions of what the Saint had actually written. Here, expressed with all of Thérèse's original spontaneity and fervor, we rediscover the great themes of her spirituality: confidence and love, the "little way," abandonment to God's merciful love, and her "mission" in the church and world today. Father John Clarke's acclaimed translation, first published in 1975 and now accepted as the standard throughout the English-speaking world, is a faithful and unaffected rendering of Thérèse's own words, from the original manuscripts. This new edition, prepared for the centenary of the Saint's death, includes a select bibliography of recent works in English on Thérèse, along with a new referencing system now widely used in studies of her doctrine.

“I will spend my Heaven doing good on Earth!” For more than a century, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as “The Little Flower,” has captivated countless minds and hearts. Her simple and pure heart burned with a deep love for our Lord, and that love overflowed into the lives of many. She daily inspired those who knew her, and she continues to inspire those who read her story. Her autobiography captures the beauty and profundity of her love in the most tender and affectionate way. Her story reveals how devoted she was to Jesus and how she longed to be with Him forever in Heaven, even from the earliest moments of her childhood. This book offers 99 short lessons, reflections and prayers from the life of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. The lessons are based upon Saint Thérèse’s own words as she shared her faith and her heart in the pages of the three manuscripts of her autobiography: "Story of a Soul." Each subsequent reflection attempts to capture one of her countless virtues so as to savor the “fragrance” of this precious little flower of God and to apply it to the reader's daily life. The prayer to conclude each lesson is not written only to be read, it is written to be prayed. You may find it helpful to pray that prayer slowly and meditatively at the end of each lesson and return to that prayer at the end of each day, especially to the prayers that are most pertinent to your life. The reader might wish to use this book as a daily reflection book, reading one lesson each day. Doing so will allow you to ponder one lesson from her saintly life at a time, so as to absorb the sweetness of her love and the depth of her life. However, you might find it just as beneficial to read several lessons at a time. This book is not intended to be a “onetime read.” Rather, the lessons we learn from Saint Thérèse’s life are worth absorbing many times over. The reflection and prayer after each lesson make this book a helpful source of daily self-examination and prayer throughout life. You who are parents might also find the lessons of St. Thérèse of benefit in the formation of your children. Telling Little Thérèse’s stories will inspire and challenge your children as they grow and mature in their own lives of faith.

The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux is not merely a collection but a profound journey into the spiritual and theological depths of one of Catholicism's most beloved saints, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, alongside the insightful annotations by Francis Alphonsus Bourne. This edition offers readers an intimate glimpse into the mosaic of late 19th-century religious thought, expressed through Thérèse's unique 'little way' philosophy and Bourne's theological commentary. The juxtaposition of Thérèse's autobiographical text with Bourne's annotations enriches the narrative, offering a layered exploration of faith, humility, and the pursuit of sainthood within the Catholic tradition. This anthology stands out for its blend of personal narrative and scholarly reflection, making it a significant contribution to religious literature. The backgrounds of Thérèse and Bourne reflect a convergence of lived spirituality and theological exploration. Thérèse, a Carmelite nun known for her simple approach to spirituality, and Bourne, an Archbishop renowned for his profound theological contributions, create a dynamic dialogue within the text. Their differing perspectivesrooted in shared faithpresent readers with a comprehensive examination of religious life and thought at the turn of the 20th century, aligning with broader movements within Catholicism towards personal piety and theological depth. This anthology is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of autobiography, theology, and the enduring impact of Saint Thérèse's spiritual legacy. It offers an unparalleled opportunity to dive into the complexity of religious experience through the eyes of two pivotal figures in Catholic history, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the nuances of faith, devotion, and the path to sainthood. For scholars, devotees, and the spiritually curious alike, this collection promises a rich, enlightening exploration of one of the most inspirational narratives in Christian spirituality.

Two and a half years before her death in 1897 at the age of 24, as Thérèse Martin began writing down her childhood memories at the request of her blood sisters in the Lisieux Carmel, few could have guessed the eventual outcome. Yet this "story of my soul," first published in 1898 in a highly edited version, quickly became a modern spiritual classic, read by millions and translated into dozens of languages around the world. Decades later, in response to growing requests from scholars and devotees of the Saint, a facsimile edition of the manuscripts appeared, along with more popular French editions of what the Saint had actually written. Here, expressed with all of Thérèse's original spontaneity and fervor, we rediscover the great themes of her spirituality: confidence and love, the "little way," abandonment to God's merciful love, and her "mission" in the church and world today. Father John Clarke's acclaimed translation, first published in 1975 and now accepted as the standard throughout the English-speaking world, is a faithful and unaffected rendering of Thérèse's own words, from the original manuscripts. This new edition, prepared for the centenary of the Saint's death, includes a select bibliography of recent works in English on Thérèse, along with a new referencing system now widely used in studies of her doctrine. Includes general and biblical index, with 8 pages of photos.

Written by a foremost expert on the life of the beloved St. Thérèse of Lisieux, this work is widely considered as the most definitive and popular presentation of her life. St. Thérèse is the most popular modern saint of our times. Who was this young French Carmelite who died in 1897 of tuberculosis at age twenty-four? At a time when extreme physical penance was widespread in many religious orders, Thérèse would have none of it. Her passionate love of Jesus led her to concentrate entirely on him rather than on personal austerities. Misunderstood in her own community but now universally loved, she left behind her autobiographical, best-selling book, The Story of a Soul, which captured with rapture her passionate love of Christ and the spirituality of "the little way" - that all of us can live out the ideal of doing everything with love for God and become saints. Based on Thérèse's famous notebooks, letters, poems, plays, and prayers, Story of a Life reveals her true face: the Thérèse who detested "old wives" devotions; the Thérèse who longed passionately to be priest, martyr, and apostle - and could still fall asleep over her prayers in chapel. The truth of her life is that God can take a psychologically fragile adolescent and turn her into the greatest saint of the 20th century because, in Thérèse's own words, "I have never relied on myself, only on Jesus."

A biography of the nineteenth-century French Carmelite who wrote of a path to Heaven, The Little Way, that can be followed by ordinary Christians and who was canonized a saint just seventeen years after her death at age twenty-four.

Letter writing at the end of the nineteenth century was an important activity for the people of France. Those who received letters from family and friends alike usually kept the hand-written texts sent to them as precious gifts. That is why this collection of letters by and to one of the greatest saints of modern times is so interesting to us today. No mere notes slapped together in distracted haste, the missives found in this volume reveal communications of warm personal sentiment along with expressions of lively spiritual development. Thérèse's efforts as a fifteen-year-old to enter Carmel before reaching the required age appear in revealing detail. This "tortuous course of a very subtle diplomacy" is set out not only by the letters of Thérèse herself, but also by those of so many others who shared her hopes and eventual victory. The translator-editor gives us 75 pages of introductory remarks to Thérèse's letters. This volume also includes 4 pages of facsimiles of Thérèse's letters.

Selected spiritual writings by men and women whose experience and doctrine have helped shape Christianity. Ample introductions give biographical sketches plus historical background.