The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme): The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux / With Additional Writings and Sayings of St. Thérèse

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

16772

Title

The Story of a Soul (L'Histoire d'une Âme): The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux / With Additional Writings and Sayings of St. Thérèse

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A profound spiritual autobiography by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, detailing her journey from childhood to sainthood through the 'Little Way' of humble love and sacrifice. This collection includes her life story, prayers, poems, and writings on intercession, offering a timeless guide to finding God in everyday simplicity.

Summary up to 500 words

The Story of a Soul chronicles the life and spiritual journey of Marie Françoise Thérèse Martin, known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Born in Alençon, France, in 1873 to devout parents Louis and Zélie, she was the youngest of nine children. Her parents prayed fervently for a son to become a priest and missionary; however, God's will led Thérèse to become a nun instead, destined to be the "Little Flower" of Jesus. After entering the Carmelite convent at Lisieux in 1888, Thérèse developed her unique spirituality known as the "Little Way." She taught that holiness is not reserved for those performing grand heroic deeds but is accessible to all through performing small daily duties with great love and total trust in God's mercy. Her narrative details her early memories, vocation, profession of vows, and profound interior life. A pivotal moment was her famous "Night of the Soul," where she felt abandoned by God before experiencing a deep conversion. The text also includes her additional writings, such as "Counsels and Reminiscences," letters to friends like Marie Guérin, and prayers dedicated to the Holy Face of Jesus and the Holy Child. Her poetry expresses a deep thirst for divine love and a desire to scatter flowers of sacrifice before God's cross. Thérèse emphasizes that she is merely a "little brush" used by God to paint His likeness in others' souls, urging readers to become like children in their Father's sight. The book concludes with her death in 1897 at age twenty-four. Her legacy endures as an example of simplicity, humility, and unfaltering charity, demonstrating that there is no surer way to please God than by remaining ever as little children in His sight.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg16772.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Biography