St. Thérèse of Lisieux, a Carmelite nun renowned for her 'Little Way' to spiritual perfection, shares her enchanting pilgrimage to Rome. She vividly recounts meeting Pope Leo XIII, showcasing her faith and the challenges she faced. The discussion weaves through her transformative experiences at sacred sites like Loretto and the Colosseum, emphasizing divine guidance and personal determination. Her boldness in expressing her desires reflects a deep commitment to her faith, inspiring listeners with her spiritual insights and fervent devotion.
St. Thérèse's pilgrimage to Rome embodies holy boldness, revealing her deep desire to spiritually connect with sacred places and experiences.
Her encounter with Pope Leo XIII illustrates the importance of perseverance and trusting in God's timing amidst feelings of disappointment.
Deep dives
Pilgrimage to Rome and the Nature of Boldness
The pilgrimage to Rome represents a significant journey filled with spiritual growth and discovery, particularly for Therese and her sister Celine. They exhibit a holy boldness as they engage in various spiritual experiences, including a memorable meeting with Pope Leo XIII. This boldness is not just a sense of adventure but reflects their deep desire to connect with the eternal city and its significance in the Christian faith. The themes of perseverance in the face of discouragement and the willingness to abandon personal desires to God's will resonate throughout their experiences in Rome.
The Significance of Holy Sites
Visiting holy sites such as the house in Loretto deeply moved Therese, emphasizing the sacramentality of her faith. She expresses joy at touching the same walls where the Holy Family lived, which highlights her connection to the divine and the importance of sacred spaces in enhancing spiritual life. The excitement she feels is not just human enthusiasm but feeds a deeper zeal for her faith, reaffirming her connection to the Church. These moments of reverence serve to remind believers of the grace present in these holy places and the call to deepen one's faith through such experiences.
Confronting Disappointment at the Colosseum
Therese's experience at the Colosseum showcases her unwavering dedication to her faith and the pursuit of holiness. Despite finding the site restricted and disappointing, she and Celine's determination to connect with the ground where martyrs once suffered illustrates a profound spiritual urgency. Their willingness to defy the rules in pursuit of a sacred experience reflects a boldness that resonates with a divine calling. This event emphasizes the idea that faith may require courage and initiative, especially in seeking connection with the heritage of one's beliefs.
Meeting the Pope: A Test of Faith and Determination
Therese's audience with Pope Leo XIII represents the culmination of her pilgrimage and a pivotal moment filled with hope and anxiety. Despite being told to remain silent, her courageous determination to express her desire to enter Carmel reflects her unwavering faith. The Pope’s initial response is disappointing, leading Therese to feel a profound sense of bitterness and abandonment. This encounter ultimately teaches her about the importance of perseverance and trusting in God's timing, as significant delays in her journey lead to deeper spiritual insights and growth.
Seeing the city of Rome through the eyes of a saint is a delight. St. Thérèse provides the details of her visit to Rome and some of the sites she visited. She writes of the most significant part of her time in Rome: meeting Pope Leo XII. She describes the visit itself but also her feelings through the whole process. Fr. Jacob-Bertrand and Fr. Michael-Joseph reflects on how St. Thérèse must have been tempted towards discouragement, but instead abandons herself to God’s will.
To get your copy of the complete reading plan, visit ascensionpress.com/catholicclassics or text "SOUL" to 33-777.
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