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Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Model for Our Times
St. Therese of Lisieux (1873–1897) is one of the most popular saints in modern times. What makes her life so outstanding and such an inspiration to so many people? She had no sustained spiritual visions, unlike St. Bernadette of Soubirous before her or the three children of Fátima after her. She had no stigmata, was not a martyr, was not a teacher during her lifetime, and did not start a religious order. Her life was sealed off, as it were, from the rest of the world in a cloistered convent. How did she become so well-beloved around the world?
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 12, 2016
A short and sweet little biography of one of my patron saints, which I have always greatly admired for her simplicity and accessibility. Her Little Way is so easy to emulate if you really work at it, and her life of her utter devotion really shows that you don't need to be anybody "big" or "great" to become a saint. Really inspiring, and a breeze to get through!
August 28, 2016
Saint Therese of Lisieux is a fascinating subject for a book; however, this telling of her story is pretty boring.
June 26, 2016
Follow the way through The Little Flower!
St. Therese has always been my favorite patron saint as long as I can remember. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother prayed to her daily. It became common place for me to follow along.
This book is a wonderful compilation of The Little Flower's life in God's way. She suffered and felt closer to God through her suffering. Her parents were Godly people and raised little Therese with their love of God and prayer. She was one of nine children born, only five survived. Therese always knew that she wanted to follow in God's footstep's to become a bride of Christ.
St. Therese is known as the most influential Saint of modern times. What was surprising to learn was that she was multi-talented in art, writing, poetry and painting. She may not have been strong in stature but she made up for that with these other talents.
What wasn't mentioned was St. Therese's ability to answer prayers through her intercession with God and shower those who prayed with roses or the scent of roses. I, for one, have experienced this when I have prayed. My rose bushes would bloom with tons of roses after I prayed even when they were all dormant or I could smell the scent of roses in the winter.
Reading this book made me feel closer to her and God. I would highly recommend this book to all who want to learn about this incredible little Saint.
St. Therese has always been my favorite patron saint as long as I can remember. My mother, grandmother and great grandmother prayed to her daily. It became common place for me to follow along.
This book is a wonderful compilation of The Little Flower's life in God's way. She suffered and felt closer to God through her suffering. Her parents were Godly people and raised little Therese with their love of God and prayer. She was one of nine children born, only five survived. Therese always knew that she wanted to follow in God's footstep's to become a bride of Christ.
St. Therese is known as the most influential Saint of modern times. What was surprising to learn was that she was multi-talented in art, writing, poetry and painting. She may not have been strong in stature but she made up for that with these other talents.
What wasn't mentioned was St. Therese's ability to answer prayers through her intercession with God and shower those who prayed with roses or the scent of roses. I, for one, have experienced this when I have prayed. My rose bushes would bloom with tons of roses after I prayed even when they were all dormant or I could smell the scent of roses in the winter.
Reading this book made me feel closer to her and God. I would highly recommend this book to all who want to learn about this incredible little Saint.
January 12, 2017
I snagged this one when it was free on Kindle, and I read it concurrently with "A Story of a Soul". Basically it is very similar in content, more concise, and focusing on her spirituality with just a bit of background. I'd recommend it. It also includes an excerpt from "Pope Francis: Pastor of Mercy".
March 23, 2018
Good overview
I read story of a soul before reading this book and struggled a lot with story of a soul for the reasons mentioned in this book. It was very flowery and written by a young girl, so maybe if I had read this book first it would have helped me get through the other. Reading this afterward did not add anything to my understanding even though this is a good overview. I think this would be a good book to read first.
I read story of a soul before reading this book and struggled a lot with story of a soul for the reasons mentioned in this book. It was very flowery and written by a young girl, so maybe if I had read this book first it would have helped me get through the other. Reading this afterward did not add anything to my understanding even though this is a good overview. I think this would be a good book to read first.
July 14, 2019
This a a quick and easy book to read if you want to know about St Therese. However it is quite dull and boring. The inspiring passages are when St Therese's autobiography is quoted. It was a free book and I have several other free books by Wyatt North on other saints. I am not inspired to read them based on this book. I only skimmed the last two chapters of this book.
January 5, 2018
A great story of faith and the love of God
The author has done an excellent job of writing the story of Saint Therese. Her love of God and desire to be his spouse is very well displayed in the authors writing. Truly an inspirational life story.
The author has done an excellent job of writing the story of Saint Therese. Her love of God and desire to be his spouse is very well displayed in the authors writing. Truly an inspirational life story.
January 9, 2018
The woman is interesting but the book reads as if someone was giving an itinerary of her life. It was very dry. For such a short book it felt even shorter than it is; In this case that wasn't a good thing, it just highlighted how little information was there. The book lacks substance.
January 19, 2020
Easy, informative read.
It was nice to get a sense of how St. Therese came to be such an influential person in the Catholic church. This book is an easy and quick read and gives the reader a small window into St. Therese.
It was nice to get a sense of how St. Therese came to be such an influential person in the Catholic church. This book is an easy and quick read and gives the reader a small window into St. Therese.
July 14, 2021
An Interesting Look at a Saint
This has been a quick read for me. I have always been interested in St. Therese. This book expanded my knowledge of becoming a nun. The story of life of devotion dedicated to God is inspiring.
This has been a quick read for me. I have always been interested in St. Therese. This book expanded my knowledge of becoming a nun. The story of life of devotion dedicated to God is inspiring.
January 10, 2018
Stiltex
Oddly stilted writing as if it is a substandard translation from another language. The information seemed shallow, which is odd considering the subject matter.
Oddly stilted writing as if it is a substandard translation from another language. The information seemed shallow, which is odd considering the subject matter.
January 14, 2018
A boring story, not what I expected
June 15, 2018
Inspiring Life
While not a literary masterpiece, this book does portray a life of a beautiful Christian committed to her faith. The biography inspires commitment in believers.
While not a literary masterpiece, this book does portray a life of a beautiful Christian committed to her faith. The biography inspires commitment in believers.
August 17, 2018
GREAT quick read
An excellent brief synopsis of St Theresa of the highlights of her writings and life story giving you insight into her teaching of the "little way"
An excellent brief synopsis of St Theresa of the highlights of her writings and life story giving you insight into her teaching of the "little way"
December 12, 2018
Easy to read yet full of great teachings
Awesome book that can be read easily. It will give you the key teachings in the life of St. Therese. Very inspiring!
Awesome book that can be read easily. It will give you the key teachings in the life of St. Therese. Very inspiring!
March 3, 2019
The book isn't bad. My complaint is that North merely summarizes St Therese's autobiography. The autobiography is so short that to summarize it into another book is rather ridiculous.
December 21, 2023
Fascinating subject b be it the writing made it a struggle to finish
October 31, 2025
An OK read. There were a couple of minor printing/typo errors; other than that, it was fine and I learned quite a bit.
July 30, 2017
*2.5 stars*
It was good, just not quite what I hoped. The author expected the reader to be more familiar with the Little Way, and I am not unfortunately.
It was good, just not quite what I hoped. The author expected the reader to be more familiar with the Little Way, and I am not unfortunately.
January 9, 2018
Honestly, I don't know how or why I ended up with this book on my Kindle app, but I know I ordered it. I think I was thinking of a challenge on GR but for the life of me I don't know what challenge. But I decided to read it today since it was pretty short and see if I could figure out why I got it and what challenge it was for, but I didn't. Oh well, it's read now.
I thought it was very interesting how Saint Therese of Lisieux at such a young age (since she was a very little girl) she wanted to give her life over to God and to basically suffer in life. Her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was only 3. Therese was 1 of 5 girls (4 male babies had died), and Therese wanted her sister Pauline to be her mom now. It wasn't too many years later that Pauline went to be part of the Carmelites and Therese felt a huge loss. She was 11 at the time and her father raised her from that point. The book made a point of how involved the whole family was in games, spirituality, kindness to each other, and so on that we in modern times have much to learn from their family. In fact, Therese claimed that it was her father who taught her during her whole life how to become what she did.
She was very passionate about becoming a Carmelite and went to where the sisters (nuns) of the Carmelites were and asked the head sister about being allowed in the order but she was told no, not until she was at least 21. So Therese went to a bishop and others and eventually ended up asking the Pope. She was finally allowed in at the young age of 16.
A couple years after she entered the Carmelites, her father became very ill and was placed in a mental hospital for the way he was acting. Therese also became ill and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She only lived to be 24 years old.
Recommendation: I think this is a book that you'd want to be interested in to read, but I read it on a fluke and enjoyed it. I might have understood some of better or appreciated some of it more if I were Catholic. So I'm fairly neutral on recommending it.
I thought it was very interesting how Saint Therese of Lisieux at such a young age (since she was a very little girl) she wanted to give her life over to God and to basically suffer in life. Her mother died of breast cancer when Therese was only 3. Therese was 1 of 5 girls (4 male babies had died), and Therese wanted her sister Pauline to be her mom now. It wasn't too many years later that Pauline went to be part of the Carmelites and Therese felt a huge loss. She was 11 at the time and her father raised her from that point. The book made a point of how involved the whole family was in games, spirituality, kindness to each other, and so on that we in modern times have much to learn from their family. In fact, Therese claimed that it was her father who taught her during her whole life how to become what she did.
She was very passionate about becoming a Carmelite and went to where the sisters (nuns) of the Carmelites were and asked the head sister about being allowed in the order but she was told no, not until she was at least 21. So Therese went to a bishop and others and eventually ended up asking the Pope. She was finally allowed in at the young age of 16.
A couple years after she entered the Carmelites, her father became very ill and was placed in a mental hospital for the way he was acting. Therese also became ill and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She only lived to be 24 years old.
Recommendation: I think this is a book that you'd want to be interested in to read, but I read it on a fluke and enjoyed it. I might have understood some of better or appreciated some of it more if I were Catholic. So I'm fairly neutral on recommending it.
July 27, 2015
I've heard of Saint Therese of Lisieux, and decided to find out about her when I got an offer for a free Kindle download. I still don't know much about her Little Way, but let's just say Therese was a pretty strange person. I suppose today she'd be on meds or in a "facility." Nonetheless, I am interested in learning more about the Little Way. Who's a bigger lunatic? John Hagee. Mike Huckabee, Pat Robertson, et al or Therese? If given a choice I'd hitch my wagon to Therese to make a connection with God.
July 10, 2015
This is a pious, simply-written account of Therese's life. Each chapter ends with a brief paragraph highlighting the spiritual lessons and themes of the previous pages, providing a devotional guide. I'm not a Catholic, but found it an easy, accessible introduction to both The Little Flower and the significance she could have as a saint for a modern person. However, if you're looking for historical or theological depth or complexity you'll want to find a different book.
February 20, 2016
A good Lenten read, the book is a simple introduction to the life of the saint. I was not very familiar with the life and writings of Saint Therese before, so it was quite an interesting read, moving at times. Bite-sized chapters enable to quickly get acquainted with the book's content even if you have only little time to spare, so it is perfect for busy people who want to deepen their faith. It definitely encourages me to read more about the saint.
June 5, 2015
I have to ponder this....how would the world react to her today? Some of her "revelations" which the author considers significant to her path to sainthood/religious life would be considered mental illness/selfish today yet her writings are acclaimed as so important as for her to be the only female Doctor of the Church??????
June 20, 2015
This was interesting insofar as it answered questions about the saint, but I found it a little cloying in its clear religious stance. I read it for the history, and as such I found it a useful little book, which explained the reason why Therese became a saint. I respect the writer's stance, and he is obviously very much an advocate for this particular saint.
August 19, 2016
A brief biography of St. Therese of Lisieux. The actual biography part of the book was pretty "syrupy" but after reading the concluding chapters I think that may be due to the taking the lead from Therese's own writings. The last couple of chapters were very good with reflections upon Therese and her impact on the Church and its theology.
November 20, 2016
I thought I was reading a biography of St. Therese of Liseaux, but mostly each chapter ended up w/ a preachy, simplistic little moral related to that portion of Therese's life. She was unusually spiritually mature at a very young age. I just wish I had found her autobiography, instead of this e-book.
June 1, 2015
Interesting
Having worked with the Carmelite sisters on several occasions, their devotion is unparalleled. Had known some about Saint Therese, but now much better informed and understanding.
Having worked with the Carmelite sisters on several occasions, their devotion is unparalleled. Had known some about Saint Therese, but now much better informed and understanding.
July 11, 2015
Saint Therese of Lisieux
An interesting book regarding the life of Maria-Francois-Therese Martin. Born January 2, 1873, was a sickly baby born to parents who were very loving and very religious. She joined a convent at the age of 15, contacted TB and died on September 30, 1897.
An interesting book regarding the life of Maria-Francois-Therese Martin. Born January 2, 1873, was a sickly baby born to parents who were very loving and very religious. She joined a convent at the age of 15, contacted TB and died on September 30, 1897.
December 8, 2015
Short and succinct introduction
Troubled by theology of sharing in Christ's suffering. I don't believe that is what God wants for us or of us. The book is an immersion in the immersion of a young person in the secluded life of a "religious."
Troubled by theology of sharing in Christ's suffering. I don't believe that is what God wants for us or of us. The book is an immersion in the immersion of a young person in the secluded life of a "religious."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews