St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a beloved Catholic saint and author of "Story of a Soul," shares her transformative Christmas conversion at age 15. She recounts her transition from grief to spiritual awakening, emphasizing the deep union with Christ found in suffering. The discussion also touches on her longing for the salvation of sinners and the importance of divine grace in overcoming personal struggles. Listeners will be inspired by her compelling choice of love and desire to serve, igniting their own spiritual journeys.
St. Thérèse's Christmas conversion marked a significant emotional and spiritual transformation, enabling her to embrace her faith wholeheartedly and find freedom in Christ.
Through her unwavering prayers for a condemned criminal, St. Thérèse illustrates her newfound commitment to intercede for souls, signifying the profound impact of divine mercy in her life.
Deep dives
Therese's Journey to Conversion
Therese of Lisieux enters a transformative period in her life marked by a significant moment of conversion at Christmas 1886. This chapter details her emotional struggles preceding this conversion, rooted in the death of her mother and a decade of suffering, which left her feeling constrained and unable to blossom into her true self. Despite these struggles, Therese ultimately discovers freedom through her faith in Christ, emphasizing that what took her ten years to grapple with was resolved instantaneously by Jesus. This profound moment allows her to embrace her desire for unity with Christ, especially at the foot of the cross, highlighting the power of divine intervention in her life.
Desire to Save Souls
Following her conversion, Therese expresses a deep and fervent desire to save souls, fueled by her love for Jesus and her recognition of His sacrifice. This new passion leads her to pray for a condemned criminal, Pranzini, demonstrating her commitment to intercede for those she perceives as lost. Despite initial doubt and fear regarding Pranzini's fate, Therese remains steadfast in her prayers, signifying her unwavering faith in God's mercy. Ultimately, her prayer is answered, reinforcing her newfound purpose and igniting a lifelong mission to work for the conversion of sinners.
Intellectual Growth and Spiritual Foundations
Therese experiences a period of intellectual growth paired with an intensified spiritual life, seeking to understand the deeper truths of her faith. She diligently studies history and science, but soon realizes that her true nourishment comes from the love of God, as revealed through spiritual readings and experiences. The Imitation of Christ becomes a vital source of inspiration, shaping her understanding of perfect love and the nature of divine grace. This pursuit of knowledge, intertwined with her growing spirituality, emphasizes her journey towards a mature faith, where she learns that genuine wisdom lies not in mere knowledge but in profound love for God and others.
Freedom in Choosing Love
A crucial theme that emerges from Therese's life is the concept of freedom in choosing to love despite emotional turmoil. After her conversion, she learns to navigate her previously heightened sensitivities, consciously opting to act with love rather than being governed by her feelings of inferiority or hurt. This pivotal choice reflects the depth of her transformation; it illustrates how God's grace empowers her to rise above struggles and be a better sister to those around her. As she begins to live out this choice, she exemplifies the essence of Therese's little way—embracing simplicity and love in everyday encounters, ultimately teaching others to prioritize love through grace.
Many of us are able to look back on our lives and point to significant moments of change or growth. St. Thérèse is no different. In today’s readings, St. Thérèse reflects on one of the more significant moments in her life: her Christmas conversion. She outlines what happened exactly and how it impacted her. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph discuss the changes that St. Thérèse strove to make due to her conversion. They also reflect on the reality that we cannot accomplish holiness ourselves and we must let God in.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.
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