Page 27 - Michael 2024 January

Confidence must lead us to Love

Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis

on the spirituality of Saint Therese de Lisieux

On 15 October 2023, the Vatican published Pope on the liturgical Memorial of Saint Teresa of Avila is a
Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation entitled “It is confi- way of presenting Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and
dence”, on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Saint the Holy Face as the mature fruit of the reform of the
Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (1873- Carmel and of the spirituality of the great Spanish saint.
1897), focusing on the spirituality of this great saint,
based on her “little way of spiritual childhood”, “the
lift that should take us to Heaven”, that is, trust in the
merciful love of God, who loves us like a Father. This
reminds us of that other great invocation transmitted
by God to Saint Faustina Kowalska, “Jesus, I trust in
You”.
In these times, when we worry about a future that
seems uncertain, we need more than ever to trust in
God, who loves us infinitely and who, despite appear-
ances, remains in control of human history through
His providence and omnipotence, and ensures that
His plan of love is fulfilled for us. Since at the end of
our life on earth we will be judged on love, and “in
the end, only love counts”, this trust in God that leads
us to love, taught by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, is an
example for us all to follow. Here are some excerpts
from this exhortation.
by Pope Francis
“It is confidence and nothing but confidence that
must lead us to Love”. These striking words of Saint
Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face say it all.
They sum up the genius of her spirituality and would
suffice to justify the fact that she has been named a
Doctor of the Church. Confidence, “nothing but confi-
dence”, is the sole path that leads us to the Love that
grants everything. With confidence, the wellspring of
grace overflows into our lives, the Gospel takes flesh
within us and makes us channels of mercy for our Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (left) was named secondary pa-
brothers and sisters. tron saint of France in 1944, just as Saint Joan of Arc (right)
Saint Therese is one of the best known and most was in 1922. In the centre, the Virgin Mary, principal patron
beloved saints in our world. Like Saint Francis of As- saint of France..
sisi, she is loved by non-Christians and nonbelievers The earthly life of Saint Therese was brief, a mere
as well… We would do well to delve more deeply into twenty-four years, and completely ordinary, first in
her message as we commemorate the 150th anniver- her family and then in the Carmel of Lisieux. The
sary of her birth in Alençon January 2, 1873) and the extraordinary burst of light and love that she radi-
centenary of her beatification. Yet I have not chosen ated came to be known soon after her death, with the
to issue this Exhortation on either of those dates, or publication of her writings and thanks to the count-
on her liturgical Memorial, so that this message may less graces bestowed on the faithful who invoked her
transcend those celebrations and be taken up as part intercession.
of the spiritual treasury of the Church. Its publication The Church quickly recognized her great sig-
Left: “Thérèse aux roses”, painted in 1925 by Céline nificance and the distinctiveness of her evangelical
Martin (1865-1959), sister of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, spirituality. Therese met Pope Leo XIII during a pil-
Sister Geneviève de la Sainte Face, also a nun at the grimage to Rome in 1887 and asked his permission
Carmelite convent in Lisieux. to enter the Carmel at the age of fifteen. Not long u

www.michaeljournal.org MICHAEL January/February 2024 27