Thérèse of Lisieux Quotes

the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy.

My whole strength lies in prayer and sacrifice. They can move hearts far better than words.

-St. Therese of Lisieux

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.

…you must be always as a drop of dew hidden in the heart of this beautiful Lily of the valley
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One must be so little to draw near to Jesus, and few are the souls that aspire to be little and unknown.
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Our Beloved needs neither our brilliant deeds nor our beautiful thoughts.
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The Lily of the valley asks but a single dewdrop, which for one night shall rest in its cup, hidden from all human eyes.

Ever since his first attack

Ah! How contrary are the teachings of Jesus to the feelings of nature! Without the help of His grace it would be impossible not only to put them into practice, but to even understand them.

I know that all that multitude of sins would disappear in an instant, even as a drop of water cast into a flaming furnace.

However, you are shocked at the thought of seeing her trite letters being published. But I will answer you by what I say to myself: 1. In the case of a Saint, nothing is trite. Even in Sacred Scripture, how many parts we would have eliminated had the Lord consulted us! We would have been mistaken! We have to take God’s work as it is and to meditate on it insofar as we are capable of understanding it and drawing out suitable lessons. 2. As for Thérèse, we must be careful. What seems trite (especially to Céline, who knows all, who knows much more than all that has been written!) can be filled with usefulness for history and for the edification of simple souls, who will be responsive to what they find “within their reach.

"MY DEAR LITTLE SISTER, — Jesus is "a Spouse of blood." He wishes for Himself all the blood of our hearts. You are right — it costs us dear to give Him what He asks. But what a joy that it does cost! It is happiness to bear our crosses, and to feel our weakness in doing so.

Céline, far from complaining to Our Lord of this cross which He sends us, I cannot fathom the Infinite Love which had led Him to treat us in this way. Our dear Father must indeed be loved by God to have so much suffering given to him. I know that by humiliation alone can Saints be made, and I also know that our trial is a mine of gold for us to turn to account. I, who am but a little grain of sand, wish to set to work, though I have neither courage nor strength. Now this very want of power will make my task easier, for I wish to work for love. Our martyrdom is beginning . . . Let us go forth to suffer together, dear sister, and let us offer our sufferings to Jesus for the salvation of souls."

The world's thy ship and not thy home.

A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.

My mortifications consisted in breaking my will, which was always ready to impose itself; in holding my tongue instead of answering back; in doing little things for others without hoping to get anything in return; in not slumping back when I was sitting down; etc., etc. .

For me, prayer is an aspiration of the heart, it is a simple glance directed to heaven, it is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy; finally it is something great, supernatural, which expands my soul and unites me to Jesus.

I have never asked God to let me die young, It is true I have always thought I should do so, but it is a favour I have not tried to obtain.

I am convinced that one should tell one's spiritual director if one has a great desire for Communion, for Our Lord does not come from Heaven every day to stay in a golden ciborium; He comes to find another heaven, the heaven of our soul in which He loves to dwell.