Quotes from St. Therese of Lisieux

For Thérèse, poetry was not "art for amusement," because she did not write for her own satisfaction but out of duty, or at least with a concern to serve, to help, and to encourage.6

I feel that if You found a soul weaker and littler than mine, which is impossible, You [35]would be pleased to grant it still greater favors, provided it abandoned itself with total confidence to Your Infinite Mercy.

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THE science of love! Sweet is the echo of that word to the ear of my soul. I desire no other science. Having given all my substance for it, like the spouse in the Canticles, I think that I have given nothing. (Cant. 8:7).

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IN order that Love may be fully satisfied it must needs stoop to very nothingness and transform that nothing into fire.

Ever since his first attack

It would not disturb me if (supposing the impossible) God himself did not see my good actions. I love him so much, that I would like to give him joy without his knowing who gave it. When he does know, he is, as it were, obliged to make a return.

Ce n'est pas pour rester dans le ciboire d'or qu'il descend chaque jour du ciel, mais afin de trouver un autre ciel: le ciel de notre âme où il prend ses délices.

Life is passing, and eternity is drawing near. Soon we shall live the very life of God. After we have been filled at the source of all bitterness, our thirst will be quenched at the very Fountain of all sweetness.

A little longer, and we shall be in our true country, and our childhood's joys—those Sunday evenings, those outpourings of the heart—will be given back to us for ever!

This grace of light has been given to me during my retreat. Our Lord desires that we should receive Him into our hearts, and no doubt they are empty of creatures. Alas! mine is not empty of self; that is why He bids me come down. And I shall come down even to the very ground, that Jesus may find within my heart a resting-place for His Divine Head