Thoughts of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus

I HAD offered myself to the Child Jesus to be _His little plaything_. I had told Him not to use me like a costly toy which children are pleased to look at without daring to touc...

THERE are moments when we are so wretched within, that we must needs hurry away from ourselves. The good God does not oblige us to remain at such times in our own company; indee...

"Die after Holy Communion! On a grand Feast day! No, it will not be so: little souls could not copy that. In my little way there are only quite ordinary things; all that I do, l...

IN everything I must find self-denial and sacrifice; thus I feel that a letter will not bear fruit unless I write it with a certain reluctance, and solely through obedience. Whe...

LOVE OF GOD LOVE OF OUR NEIGHBOUR FAITH HOPE HUMILITY DETACHMENT MORTIFICATION OBEDIENCE POVERTY CONFIDENCE SELF-ABANDONMENT GRATITUDE ZEAL SIMPLICITY PRAYER HOLY COMMUNION SUFF...

A NOVICE was complaining of being more tired than her Sisters, for besides the common work, she had done another task, of which they knew nothing; Thérèse answered: "I want to s...

TO think ourselves imperfect, and others perfect--that is happiness. That creatures should recognize we are without virtue takes nothing from us, makes us no poorer; it is they...

THE sole crime with which Herod reproached our Lord was _folly_ . . . and frankly, that charge was true. Yes, it was folly to come seeking the poor shallow hearts of mortals, th...