Review of The Theresian Story: Women in Support of Women by Elwood C. Voss, Patricia Mullen and others, eds. by Gail Murphy Schneider, Women at the Well Community, Dubuque, Iowa
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As a Theresian, you probably know quite a bit about our patron, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. But do you know the history behind this beautiful organization of which you are a part?
In 1961, Msgr. Elwood C. Voss, then a priest in the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, had an idea. He realized that although women in the church were quite involved in doing things for others, there was something lacking – an organization that existed FOR those same women.
Msgr. Voss’ idea began with a group of 32 women in Pueblo in 1961 and has since grown into an international organization. In 1986, Msgr Voss, along with Patricia Mullen, wrote a history of Theresians: The Theresian Story. The book was updated in 1996.
I encourage you to read The Theresian Story to learn more about Msgr. Voss and the women who played a role in the history of Theresians. The book is available to download as a PDF or you can contact the Theresian office about purchasing a copy.
A personal note:  I was never privileged to meet Msgr. Voss. After my first regional conference, I sent Msgr. Voss a card and note, expressing my gratitude to him for having the wisdom and foresight to start this wonderful organization for women. In return, he sent me a brief note thanking me and telling me that he was in a retirement home with a rare illness that had no cure, but that he was at peace and anxious to go to God. He signed it “Love, Woody”. Msgr. Voss died just a few months later.  ​

Review of Shirt of Flame: A Year with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Bridget Hilbe, Spiritual Springs Community, Richmond, Texas

When I became a Theresian 12 years ago, I actually knew very little about St. Thérèse of Lisieux. As I read about St. Thérèse, I had difficulty relating to her life. Quite frankly, Thérèse never had to worry about earning a living, maintaining a loving relationship with a husband, caring for children and elderly family members, and navigating the pitfalls of our material, high tech, complicated world. Thérèse’s circle was so small, with very few distractions. Her young life was one of privilege, of course she would have time for quiet meditations, devotion and focus on loving our Lord. You know how it is, the more you read and learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know or understand. It wasn’t until I went to the Theresian National Conference in New Orleans, LA in 2018, that I found a way to relate to St. Thérèse of Lisieux and more fully understand and attempt to apply her little way directly into my daily life.

While at the 2018 National Conference I had the opportunity to meet and hear author Heather King speak. At that conference, I was introduced to Heather’s book Shirt of Flame: A Year with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Heather was the keynote speaker at that conference. Heather’s book pairs her conversion from a former life as an attorney, alcoholic, a self-described “bar-fly” (from her book Stumble), non-religious person into a celibate, contemplative author, obedient and devoted practicing Catholic. Spending a year with St. Thérèse, Heather adeptly elaborates on the human crosses and everyday annoyances that distract all of us from giving ourselves fully and completely over to the service and love of the Divine. By using examples from Thérèse’s life journey of devotion and love, Heather shares examples from her own journey of faith. Heather speaks honestly and frankly to the questions, distractions, and barriers we all put up when trying for a deeper life of faith, love and devotion.

Sometimes it is the little annoyances in life that we focus on, distracting us from loving fully. In Shirt of Flame, Heather King relates how, by practicing St, Thérèse’s Little Way, we can move past those annoyances that bring about their own barriers to love and kindness. Heather uses the story of the nun that sat behind Thérèse at choir clicking her rosary against her teeth making a distracting, annoying sound. Instead of saying something to the nun, “Thérèse realized that the more charitable act would be to pretend that the sound was music to Christ’s ears and endured the annoyance in silence.” Heather provides additional examples from her life, thus helping me to relate and understand how to more effectively put the Little Way into practice in my daily life. For example, I would let it bother me when my husband would occasionally leave his dirty clothes on the bedroom floor. If left alone, Dave would eventually pick up his laundry. But would I wait for that? Succumbing to my OCD, often I would let him know that it needs to be picked up on my time schedule, which is right now. Not charitable or loving. Instead, I can quietly pick up the dirty clothes and take them to the laundry myself. It’s a little thing – a little way of showing love, whether it is acknowledged or not. 

My life’s journey is far from that of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Heather King, through her book, has helped me to relate to St. Thérèse, to push past the distractions of everyday life and give myself permission to embrace the simple, to act out of kindness, to carve out quiet time to reflect, and to simply love our Lord. This book would make a wonderful book study for any Theresian community. At the close of each chapter, Heather offers up a wonderful prayer to reflect upon as you digest what was presented. I love honest heartfelt writing. Heather King is unapologetically honest. At times, I think she is speaking directly to me, lovingly making sure that I have fully grasped the message behind St. Thérèse’s life and how I should and can incorporate the Little Way into my own daily life. 

Review of Life Lessons from St. Thérèse of Lisieux, written by Br. Joseph F. Schmidt, FSC and Marisa Guerin, PhD by Melanie Hartshorn, Spiritual Springs Community, Fort Bend, Texas
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As Theresians, we are well acquainted with the life and spirituality of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Like most members of a Theresian community, I have read numerous books about our patron saint, and was touched by them all. Recently, I came across a new book titled Life Lessons from St. Thérèse of Lisieux.  The book was written by Br. Joseph F. Schmidt, FSC and Marisa Guerin, PhD.  Br. Schmidt was one of the world’s most respected scholars on the teachings of St. Thérèse.  Marisa Guerin is a former leader of the youth ministry office of the U.S. Catholic Bishops and has served as a consultant to religious institutes in the U.S. and abroad. These two have teamed up to present us with a fresh look at St. Thérèse, her “Little Way” and her “Only Treasure.”

The book is divided into two main parts – Thérèse’s Healing Vision and then Six Heart Qualities of that Healing Vision. Each section is presented in chapters which begin with background on Thérèse’s life – much in her own words and thoughts. The authors make liberal use of her personal experiences, memories, and letters, allowing the reader to travel along with Thérèse as her spirituality grew and developed over time. Following this biographical information, we are presented with Mentoring Messages for Reflection. This section helps us to adapt Thérèse’s experiences to our own life. The reader will gain a new understanding of Thérèse. Even though she lived and died over 100 years ago, and much of her short life was spent as a cloistered nun, the challenges that Thérèse faced are in many ways very similar to our own. With this realization, we can open our hearts more fully to the beautiful thoughts the authors present in the Mentoring Messages that conclude each chapter. 

Much attention is devoted to deepening the reader’s understanding of what Thérèse called her “only treasure” – her gentle and patient acceptance of her own limitations coupled with her total confidence in God’s love and mercy. Thérèse’s radical message to accept one’s faults patiently and lovingly is a challenging concept. As Theresians, we have a special connection with Thérèse and her spiritual wisdom – a connection that will be strengthened by prayerfully meditating on all that this little book has to teach us. Oh, and don’t forget to pray for Saint Thérèse’s intercession as you read!!

Review of 33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do It Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy, by Fr. Michael Gaitley (especially The Little Way, pp. 47-65) by Jet Booth, Luminaries Night Community, League City, Texas
   
Pssst! You! Yes, you! You need to read this book. Way back in 2020 my sister Theresian, Helen Anderson, and I discovered this book. Normally I would pass up a book with such a pious title and impossible goal. But Thérèse’s gaze in the picture on the cover gripped me. I was directed to read the book day by day for 30 days to make my consecration to Divine Mercy. Helen followed the rules but I did not! I gobbled the book down in no time flat and re-read it several times. Fr. Mike gets St. Thérèse! We were both excited to share Fr. Mike’s insights into St. Thérèse and we had a wonderful sharing with our community over the next months during the COVID pandemic.

We read so much about St. Thérèse and her doing little things with great love. We so often only get half of St. Thérèse’s spirituality. We often picture her on pretty holy cards but she is so much MORE! Thérèse’s way of love came from a tremendous realization about Divine Mercy. Her actions came from a deep relationship with Jesus. Her Little Way is about doing little things with great love AND being a little soul. What does it mean to be a little soul? How can we become an army of little souls she prayed for?

This book is a do-it-yourself retreat that prepares you for a consecration to Divine Mercy-but in the style of St. Thérèse. You do a lot of heart-pondering prayer. You understand St. Thérèse a lot more. You get to understand her Offering to Merciful Love. She had an insight so profound about the heart of Jesus. She saw how He longs to pour His mercy into our hearts and have a real relationship with us. He pursues us and wants to give us so much. We all struggle to believe that. We don’t trust enough to let go. We want to be in the driver’s seat. St. Thérèse saw how to do it.
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This book helps you see that all He asks us is simply to surrender and have gratitude. The part that brought me to tears every time was the quote from Letter #197 where Thérèse responds to her sister Marie. She speaks of such a tender, seeking Jesus: “…let us love our littleness, let us love to feel nothing, then we shall be poor in spirit, and Jesus will come to look for us….” I picture Him seeking and finding me. Get the book. Get the Kleenex. Read this book.

Review of Elizabeth Ficocelli’s book Shower of Heavenly Roses: Stories of the Intercession of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Mary Schreiber, Women at the Well Community, Dubuque, Iowa

“I feel that my mission is about to begin, my mission of making others love God as I love him, my mission of teaching my little way to souls. If God answers my requests, my heaven will be spent on earth up to the end of the world. Yes, I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth…After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses.” --St. Thérèse (1873-1897)

When I was in 8th grade, and preparing for Confirmation, my mother suggested that I consider taking the name Therese. She encouraged me to learn about St. Thérèse, and that’s when my appreciation for her Little Way began. I continue to be impressed by her deep faith and spirituality, and her profound love for God and others.

And now, after reading Shower of Heavenly Roses, I am further impressed by St. Thérèse’s intercessory powers. The contributors have shared personal stories of dedication (often lifelong) to Thérèse. Over sixty stories prove that Thérèse, who died over 100 years ago, is still very much a contemporary saint and a spiritual companion to many. People of all ages and backgrounds continue to turn to her, and to pray to her, for healing and guidance. Miracles of both small signs received, and life-changing events, have been curated by the author. People prayed to Thérèse in times of joy and happiness, and in times of sorrow, hopelessness, and uncertainty. All felt that their prayers were answered in some way. Thérèse believed that God would grant her special efficacy from heaven on behalf of those for whom she prayed. And these inspirational stories give us hope and offer opportunities to trust in the intercessory power of St. Thérèse.