Wednesday, October 1, 2008

St. Therese of Lisieux

Isn't she beautiful?

Today is her feast day. Most people who read this blog already know all about her, but even so, click on this link for a brief description of her life. Her parents will be beatified later this month. What a family!

Exactly four years ago today, I began reading her autobiography, Story of a Soul. I was in a villa we rented in Tuscany, on vacation with the Beloved and girls, fighting off jet lag. I finished the first half in one night, and the rest the night after. To me, her story and message was about more than just exemplifying saintliness and perfect submission of one's will to God's will; it was about growing up. Letting go of your own selfishness, immaturity, and self-centeredness. Something I'm still working on at 40, and something I'm trying to impart to my girls as they are coming of age.

We bought the recently released movie, Therese, which may not be an earth-shattering, award winning masterpiece, but it is beautifully done and great for families - and girls at this age. I recommend it, and of course, I recommend Story of a Soul (the image below is from Tan Books).

St. Therese pray for us, send us flowers of your wisdom from heaven!

2 comments:

X said...

Happy feast day!

Autumn said...

I posted a picture of her in death on my blog: http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Cats_and_Dogs/cat-in-pumpkin.gif
She is so beautiful!
Such a Saint, and my confirmation Saint, too :)