Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
I really admire St. Theresa's "Little Way" approach to faith and spirituality. I my own words, the "Little Way" advocates that being a good or holy person doesn't require grand acts, but being thoughtful and giving in everyday interactions and decisions. The last two chapters really outline this spiritual approach and I enjoyed them very much. The earlier chapters are her life story before she entered into the convent are written to her sister (who is also in the same convent & religious order) and I found those hard to relate to because her upbringing was so religious and her spirituality and attraction to religion began at a very early age.
I have to confess, that this was the most difficult book to read that I have read in a long while. It doesn't usually take me several days to finish a book of only 241 pages, even taking into account that I don't have a great deal of time to read every day.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read. I found her experiences, her outlook, her very nature to be almost completely foreign to me. For a while, I read almost in disbelief, thinking to myself that nobody could possibly be this humble, or rejoice so much in suffering, or even have faith that is so strong as to look forward, joyfully, to death, which she often refers to as, "the end of exile."
I never really got over that feeling of disorientation -- her life being completely different than mine. But I found that I could connect with her in many small ways. I enjoyed her metaphors. I found the way that she took the opportunity to make the most of small sacrifices in her life very compelling, to guard her tongue, for instance, or to allow someone else to do something she would have liked to do. Her humility certainly gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own lack of the same virtue.
There were a couple of passages that really uplifted me. I posted one the other day, regarding allowing the light of Christ to illuminate our souls like the sunshine on the treetops on a beautiful night. At another point, in a letter to a Seminarian, she writes, "It is so consoling to think that Jesus...has felt all our weaknesses and shuddered at the sight of the bitter chalice..." I too, find this consoling. I fear death, and for me it is a great comfort to know that the end even Christ asked for the cup to pass by him. St. Therese too, goes through a period of darkness, where she fears that she will not go to heaven, and this, at least, was something to which I could relate!
So overall, I'm glad to have read it. What an amazing person! I hope that I can consider ways in which I can use her example to draw closer to Christ.
Overall, it was a worthwhile read. I found her experiences, her outlook, her very nature to be almost completely foreign to me. For a while, I read almost in disbelief, thinking to myself that nobody could possibly be this humble, or rejoice so much in suffering, or even have faith that is so strong as to look forward, joyfully, to death, which she often refers to as, "the end of exile."
I never really got over that feeling of disorientation -- her life being completely different than mine. But I found that I could connect with her in many small ways. I enjoyed her metaphors. I found the way that she took the opportunity to make the most of small sacrifices in her life very compelling, to guard her tongue, for instance, or to allow someone else to do something she would have liked to do. Her humility certainly gave me the opportunity to reflect on my own lack of the same virtue.
There were a couple of passages that really uplifted me. I posted one the other day, regarding allowing the light of Christ to illuminate our souls like the sunshine on the treetops on a beautiful night. At another point, in a letter to a Seminarian, she writes, "It is so consoling to think that Jesus...has felt all our weaknesses and shuddered at the sight of the bitter chalice..." I too, find this consoling. I fear death, and for me it is a great comfort to know that the end even Christ asked for the cup to pass by him. St. Therese too, goes through a period of darkness, where she fears that she will not go to heaven, and this, at least, was something to which I could relate!
So overall, I'm glad to have read it. What an amazing person! I hope that I can consider ways in which I can use her example to draw closer to Christ.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
Wow. I understand why Therese of Lisieux is not only a very popular saint but a Doctor of the Church. I found it very easy to relate to her and in some places saw that she struggles with the same trials I do. The epilogue giving the details of her death made me cry a little. I can see why the pastor compared her life to my brother-in-laws at his funeral.
I had already discovered parts of her "little way" through my own trials and I now have a greater appreciation for this way of living as a virtuous life.
I had already discovered parts of her "little way" through my own trials and I now have a greater appreciation for this way of living as a virtuous life.
The beautiful soul of St. Therese, the little flower, is an inspiration. The love poured into the pages of this book is immeasurable. I will be sure to read this again.
This autobiography of the modern saint is quite a charming read. St. Thérèse's example of simplicity is much needed in this day and age when we have so much stuff that seeks to complicate our lives. Perhaps her most valuable lesson is that for which she is probably most well-known: doing little things with great love.