St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a revered Carmelite nun and author of 'Story of a Soul,' shares insights on her transformative 'Little Way' to holiness. In this discussion, she reflects on the essence of 'littleness' and its connection to love. Her desires for spiritual understanding and divine communion shine through heartfelt letters, revealing her dreams and aspirations. The conversation also touches on the complexities of love, prayer, and surrendering to God's will, inviting listeners to embrace simple acts of love in their own lives.
St. Thérèse's 'Little Way' teaches that genuine holiness comes from a childlike love for God rather than extraordinary deeds.
Her reflections on spiritual struggles illustrate the importance of vulnerability and silence in deepening one's relationship with God's love.
Deep dives
The Little Way of Love
The core message of this chapter revolves around the concept of the 'little way,' which emphasizes a simple, childlike surrender to God's love. St. Therese expresses the idea that great actions or accomplishments are not necessary for holiness; instead, it is the humble acceptance of God's love and the desire to love in return that truly matters. This theme is illustrated through her reflections on trusting God and approaching Him with the sincerity of a little child, which opens oneself to divine mercy and love. She highlights that God seeks our love above all else, stating that it is not our deeds, but our hearts that He desires.
Desire and Contentment
St. Therese grapples with her numerous desires for various vocations, such as being a Carmelite, a spouse, and a mother, reflecting her longing to serve God in every way possible. Despite her aspirations for greatness and heroic acts, she finds deep contentment in knowing that God is pleased with her current state, characterized by simplicity and love. Her dream of Venerable Anne of Jesus reassures her that her small actions, performed with love, are more significant to God than extraordinary feats. This confidence allows her to articulate her dreams freely, framing them as profound expressions of love rather than self-centered ambitions.
The Role of Spiritual Insights
The chapter underscores the importance of personal spiritual insights derived from a relationship with God, as St. Therese reflects upon moments of deep prayer and interior struggle. She acknowledges her experiences of spiritual dryness, which contrast sharply with her passionate desires for God's closeness, revealing the complexities of her faith journey. Therese emphasizes that insights often come not through intellectual understanding, but through silence and vulnerability before God, which can lead to profound revelations about His love. By sharing these insights with her sister, she aims to deepen their mutual understanding of God's tender love and the realities of the spiritual life.
What is the Little Way? Today’s reading brings us to the second manuscript of Story of a Soul. This manuscript is also known as the charter for the Little Way. Within her writings, St. Thérèse expresses to her sister Marie some of what God has revealed to her as well as her intense desire to love. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph also discuss the dream that St. Thérèse has of Ven. Anne of Jesus.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode