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33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy
The stirring sequel to Father Michael Gaitley's 33 Days to Morning Glory -- published just in time for the Jubilee Year of Mercy!
Using the same 33-day preparation format, "33 Days to Merciful Love" journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Therese of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy.
Using the same 33-day preparation format, "33 Days to Merciful Love" journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Therese of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy.
202 pages, Paperback
Published February 15, 2016
440 people are currently reading
1002 people want to read
About the author
Michael E. Gaitley
18 books237 followersFather Michael Gaitley, MIC, is a member of the Congregation of Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception. Prior to his ordination to the priesthood, he received a Masters Degree in Theology and a Licentiate Degree in Moral Theology.
After his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Michael succeeded Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, as the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than 1,000,000 members. As director, he has launched a new pastoral initiative called Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization (HAPP).
He frequently appears on EWTN and preaches retreats throughout the country on topics such as Divine Mercy, Consoling spirituality, and Marian Consecration.
When he is not preaching missions and retreats, Fr. Michael lives and works on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
After his ordination to the priesthood, Fr. Michael succeeded Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, as the director of the Association of Marian Helpers, a spiritual benefit society with more than 1,000,000 members. As director, he has launched a new pastoral initiative called Hearts Afire: Parish-based Programs for the New Evangelization (HAPP).
He frequently appears on EWTN and preaches retreats throughout the country on topics such as Divine Mercy, Consoling spirituality, and Marian Consecration.
When he is not preaching missions and retreats, Fr. Michael lives and works on Eden Hill in Stockbridge, Mass., home of the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
February 8, 2023
33 Days to Merciful Love is the 5th book I’ve read by Father Michael Gaitley. Anyone familiar with his other best-seller, 33 Days to Morning Glory, understands the concept of consecrating (being made holy) oneself to Jesus, i.e., undertaking a period of spiritual prayer, reading, etc., for the purpose of taking a formal vow to deepen commitment to God.
In this latest book by Fr. Gaitley, the focus is on God’s Merciful Love, especially as it was taught by the saint of the ‘Little Way’, St. Therese of Lisieux, my patron saint. It is designed to be a sequel to 33 Days to Morning Glory.
Over the course of 33 days, the reader is guided through four phases or developments. First, there is the indispensability of faith and trust in God, the bedrock of everything else. During the second week, readers learn what the ‘Little Way’ really is, as opposed to some of the popular misconceptions inappropriately attributed to St. Thérèse. Week Three is an explanation and exploration of the saint’s Offering of Merciful Love. This was my favorite part of the whole book because it offered the most concrete suggestions for fine-tuning your relationship with the Lord. The fourth week looks into the darkness St. Thérèse faced at the end of her life. This reminded me of so many people, facing darkness, poverty, old age, illness, suffering, and loneliness. The last few days leading up to consecration were given to review.
I did this retreat on my own in order to make my consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday. Since I hadn’t ordered a certificate, I wrote out the words of the consecration from the book in my prayer journal in our Old Cathedral downtown just before the Hour of Mercy.
This is a beautiful devotion to help you grow closer to the Merciful Love of Our Crucified Savior. It can be done any time of year and is recommended during this Year of Mercy.
In this latest book by Fr. Gaitley, the focus is on God’s Merciful Love, especially as it was taught by the saint of the ‘Little Way’, St. Therese of Lisieux, my patron saint. It is designed to be a sequel to 33 Days to Morning Glory.
Over the course of 33 days, the reader is guided through four phases or developments. First, there is the indispensability of faith and trust in God, the bedrock of everything else. During the second week, readers learn what the ‘Little Way’ really is, as opposed to some of the popular misconceptions inappropriately attributed to St. Thérèse. Week Three is an explanation and exploration of the saint’s Offering of Merciful Love. This was my favorite part of the whole book because it offered the most concrete suggestions for fine-tuning your relationship with the Lord. The fourth week looks into the darkness St. Thérèse faced at the end of her life. This reminded me of so many people, facing darkness, poverty, old age, illness, suffering, and loneliness. The last few days leading up to consecration were given to review.
I did this retreat on my own in order to make my consecration on Divine Mercy Sunday. Since I hadn’t ordered a certificate, I wrote out the words of the consecration from the book in my prayer journal in our Old Cathedral downtown just before the Hour of Mercy.
This is a beautiful devotion to help you grow closer to the Merciful Love of Our Crucified Savior. It can be done any time of year and is recommended during this Year of Mercy.
February 11, 2025
Happy consecration day and feast of our lady of Lourdes, this book is good and I know I needed something like this!!!!
September 9, 2019
This is the third book I have used for the 33 day preparation for Consecration to Jesus through Mary. This one is based on the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux.
The other two were Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary According to St Louis De Montfort, based on the writings of St. Louis de Monfort (who created the consecration) and 33 Days to Morning Glory, which dedicates one week to the writings of one saint (St. Louis de Monfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.
The meditations and explanations of St. Therese spirituality are excellent. I dislike the very colloquial style - at some point there are 3 paragraphs on the same page that start with "Well, okay".
The other two were Preparation for Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary According to St Louis De Montfort, based on the writings of St. Louis de Monfort (who created the consecration) and 33 Days to Morning Glory, which dedicates one week to the writings of one saint (St. Louis de Monfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II.
The meditations and explanations of St. Therese spirituality are excellent. I dislike the very colloquial style - at some point there are 3 paragraphs on the same page that start with "Well, okay".
April 18, 2023
I’m in awe of the Lords Mercy and love. What a gift to be able to consecrate to merciful love and console the Heart of Jesus by receiving the mercy rejected by so many souls who don’t know Him! Highly encourage everyone to read this and consecrate yourself to Divine Mercy.
April 19, 2023
The writing style of this book is sometimes a little cheesier than my preference, but it very beautifully conveys the heart of living a child like faith towards God’s mercy. My heart needed this one.
December 14, 2024
Dearest Jesus, I cast myself into your arms of merciful Love. In the hopes of receiving your love rejected so often, I thereby make myself a whole and complete victim of your incessant fragrance of LOVE.
October 16, 2016
Maureen S. recommended this book to me with some high praise and I immediately boight a copy. I love St Therese but I didn't know about her Offering to Merciful Love, at least not in any great detail. This book is just a great analysis of St Therese's teaching, "little way"... I tried to time it to make the offering on her feast day, October 1st but apparently this book had an error and was off by a couple of days -- actually listing start date 35 days before the feast day. No problem-- a couple more days to reflect. And it was during our annual Carmelite retreat; I wrote out the Offering in the morning , outside beside the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the garden (begging her as Therese did to take this offering and present it to Jesus). An interesting effect from this offering was that I got inspired to recite the Divine Mercy chaplet daily since then. It's not Therese, but it's all connected.
There is an interesting section after you make the offering on how to make it again with each breath, a meditation on the words of Mary (Behold the handmaid of the Lord -- Be it done unto me -- My soul magnifies the Lord).
There was also an insight into how it is possible for us to "console Jesus", who in His Divinity does not need anything. And there the author draws out a few ways in which it turns out He needs us. It has to do with God's goodness and generosity, and with Jesus' humanity, andwith the way friendship works.
There is an interesting section after you make the offering on how to make it again with each breath, a meditation on the words of Mary (Behold the handmaid of the Lord -- Be it done unto me -- My soul magnifies the Lord).
There was also an insight into how it is possible for us to "console Jesus", who in His Divinity does not need anything. And there the author draws out a few ways in which it turns out He needs us. It has to do with God's goodness and generosity, and with Jesus' humanity, andwith the way friendship works.
April 19, 2020
St. Therese's spirituality, known as The Little Way, is used to prepare for the Divine Mercy consecration in this retreat book. It is one where the starting point is we humbly acknowledge our sinfulness. St. Therese recognized her weakness and darkness. In Pope Francis' Divine Mercy homily today, he mentions another saint who was miserable and wretched, St. Faustina. This apostle of Divine Mercy offered everything that she has, but Jesus said she forgot something--that she should also give all her failings. And in the Gospel today of the second Sunday of Easter, even Jesus showed His wounds. He did this not to guilt-trip the apostles, but to show mercy.
Despite our brokenness, we should keep trying to grow in virtue, and most of all to trust in His mercy. For we cannot do anything by our own merits, but with His Merciful Love, anything is possible. As St Therese said, isn't He all-powerful?
Today is the 20th Anniversary of Divine Mercy since Pope St. John Paul II instituted it. The floodgates of mercy are open at this moment. May everyone take advantage of this grace, as I have. Today, I consecrated myself to the Divine Mercy.
Through my consecration, may I be an instrument of mercy, especially in this COVID pandemic. I am an ICU nurse, and by grace, may I make more acts of mercy for the lost, the least and the last.
Despite our brokenness, we should keep trying to grow in virtue, and most of all to trust in His mercy. For we cannot do anything by our own merits, but with His Merciful Love, anything is possible. As St Therese said, isn't He all-powerful?
Today is the 20th Anniversary of Divine Mercy since Pope St. John Paul II instituted it. The floodgates of mercy are open at this moment. May everyone take advantage of this grace, as I have. Today, I consecrated myself to the Divine Mercy.
Through my consecration, may I be an instrument of mercy, especially in this COVID pandemic. I am an ICU nurse, and by grace, may I make more acts of mercy for the lost, the least and the last.
June 10, 2020
My husband and I made this DIY retreat together after completing 33 Days to Morning Glory last year. My favorite things about these books are that they use contemporary language and easy-to-understand explanations sometimes lacking in the saints' original source documents and they allow the reader to see how several saints' writings and insights dovetail, each echoing a common theme.
I'm a little wary of consecrations becoming a list to tick off, but as a written "retreat," I think this book is a wonderful way to delve into the spirituality of Divine Mercy.
I'm a little wary of consecrations becoming a list to tick off, but as a written "retreat," I think this book is a wonderful way to delve into the spirituality of Divine Mercy.
November 27, 2023
While Michael Gaitley adopts a writing style that is a bit too conversational and informal for me, he pulls the best quotes of St. Therese and St. Faustina highlighting the theology of ‘the little way’ & unpacks them succinctly, inspiring magnanimity in the reader. I was humbled (again) reading this book for the fourth time, being reminded that “…..Jesus doesn’t just want ‘good people’ - he wants saints. He wants us to be set on fire with His love, and anything less is not enough for Him.”
February 2, 2025
I am consecrated!!! Ready to have my heart be softened, skip outta purgatory, become a saint, and receive all the Lords rejected mercy. Fire me up. Everyone should do this!!
March 8, 2025
wow.
come, holy spirit, fire of mercy!
come, holy spirit, fire of mercy!
July 27, 2021
Saint Faustina is a saint that I have grown closer to this summer and this concecration helped me better fully understand her teachings on Jesus’ merciful love that he has for us. I have always known that God’s love is always merciful, but sometimes it was hard for me to grasp the reality of how to live that out. Throughout my time reading this book, I had a better grasp of my own poverty & brokenness, and that the only bridge to receive God’s mercy is to live in complete and utter trust for the Lord. That trust that we have for Him will better allow us to fully live out littleness and be attracted to all the mercy that God has to give us always. Higly recommend reading!
May 13, 2025
This book was recommended to me by a friend in my women’s group after I read The story of a soul. I am very thankful as this was a wonderful and impactful read. This consecration was beautifully written, and it was very helpful when explaining how to live like St Therese in simple ways. This book explains how she makes sainthood and loving Jesus tangible to everyone. Although we hear often how God needs us, I didn’t really consider that he needed to be consoled too (the whole idea of Merciful Love). This book expanded my understanding of loving God.
If you haven’t read the Appendix One, you simply must go back and read it. In this section of the book, Fr Gaitley explains and wraps up all the ideas throughout the book while providing a meditation to further solidify the ideas. His use of the imagery of Jesus’ blood and water on the cross flooding over us as we take every breath for spiritual communion truly touched me.
Ecce/fiat/magnificat
If you haven’t read the Appendix One, you simply must go back and read it. In this section of the book, Fr Gaitley explains and wraps up all the ideas throughout the book while providing a meditation to further solidify the ideas. His use of the imagery of Jesus’ blood and water on the cross flooding over us as we take every breath for spiritual communion truly touched me.
Ecce/fiat/magnificat
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2022
The book is really good but there are a few things that bothered me a little.
When talking about the sister who offered herself to Divine Justice, you can get the idea that the sister was wrong and that it could not have been God's will for her, but could it not be that God needs both, the offering to Divine justice and offering to the Divine Mercy, why exclude anything? For example, many saints scourged themselves and we can not imagine that today someone does it, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't God's will for them, even though it's not for us. Why is there always the "either that or that" attitude, when it can be both.
Another thing I don't get is why so many times mention jansenism when people don't really know what it is, at least I don't, and as I researched it a little not even historians agree what jansenists really taught. That what the author meant with jansenism could have been worded differently, without mentioning jansenism and it would be so much clearer.
When talking about the sister who offered herself to Divine Justice, you can get the idea that the sister was wrong and that it could not have been God's will for her, but could it not be that God needs both, the offering to Divine justice and offering to the Divine Mercy, why exclude anything? For example, many saints scourged themselves and we can not imagine that today someone does it, but that doesn't mean that it wasn't God's will for them, even though it's not for us. Why is there always the "either that or that" attitude, when it can be both.
Another thing I don't get is why so many times mention jansenism when people don't really know what it is, at least I don't, and as I researched it a little not even historians agree what jansenists really taught. That what the author meant with jansenism could have been worded differently, without mentioning jansenism and it would be so much clearer.
December 13, 2016
Father Michael Gaitley is one of the authors I was introduced to through the amazing collection Beautiful Mercy edited by Matthew Kelly. But since that introduction at the beginning of the year I have read 4 books by Father Michael, and done two in group studies, including this one. The other book I did in a group study was 33 Days to Morning Glory, which is a total consecration to Mary. This book is a consecration to divine mercy.
This book was an incredible read. And it was even better working through it in community. While reading this book I highlighted over 100 passages on my first read through. Father Michael states in the introduction:
“A Sequel That Stands Alone — But Shouldn’t. You don’t have to read 33 Days to Morning Glory before reading this book — but I recommend you do. I say that because the essence of Marian consecration is to allow Mary to bring us to the pierced side of Jesus, which is the Fountain of Mercy. Okay, well, 33 Days to Morning Glory is a book that prepares us to consecrate ourselves to Mary, so she can, in fact, bring us to that fountain.
This book, on the other hand, is about drinking from that fountain. And while we can get to the Fountain of Mercy without making a Marian consecration, such a consecration enables us to drink from it so much more deeply and easily. We’ll learn the reasons for that during Week One of this retreat — which brings me to the structure of this book and how it works.”
And I can attest to having done the two books in this order and with only a short break between them that they do nicely build upon each other. Father Michael also says: “What’s Different from Morning Glory. Unlike 33 Days to Morning Glory, this book does not include four weeks with four different saints. Rather, the various weeks will focus on one saint: Thérèse of Lisieux and her spiritual teaching. And that’s okay because St. Thérèse is the master, the Doctor of the Church on these matters. Having said that, I will also include some of the teachings of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, another great saint of mercy whose mission was closely related to that of St. Thérèse.” So there is a great deal of difference between the two books even though they follow a similar pattern.
Each day in this book follows the same pattern of a teaching followed by a short prayer. And these are some pretty amazing prayers; prayers seeking to be open to the Holy Spirit, to grow, to trust and many more. Some samples of those daily prayers are:
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to believe in God and his love for me, even when life seems meaningless, routine, and empty.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to recognize my own lowliness and to rejoice in God’s mercy.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Give me the heart of an eagle, a burning longing to choose all that you will for me.”
But to be honest I highlighted almost all 33 daily prayers and have gone back through and prayed a number of them again and again.
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
WEEK ONE: What Is Trust?
Day 4: Mary’s Pilgrimage of Faith
Day 5: Mary’s Trial of Faith
Day 6: Mary’s Song of Faith
Day 7: New Eve of Light and Life
Day 8: None More Lowly
Day 9: Discovery of the Little Way
Day 10: Discovery of Divine Mercy
WEEK TWO: The Little Way
Day 12: You Will Become a Saint
Day 13: Prophet of Mercy
Day 14: No More ‘Thieves of Hope’
Day 15: What It’s Not
Day 16: What It Is
Day 17: What’s the Catch?
Day 18: No Purgatory?
WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love
Day 20: The Offering (Part One)
Day 21: The Offering (Part Two)
Day 22: The Darkness of Sin
Day 23: The Blindness to Sin
Day 24: Liturgical Darkness
Day 25: The Daily Darkness
Day 26: The World’s Darkness
WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness
Day 28: Thérèse’s Darkness (Part Two)
Day 29: What Is Trust?
Day 30: The Little Way
Day 31: The Offering
Day 32: The Darkness
Day 33: Putting It All Together
FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review
DAY OF CONSECRATION: ‘The Happy Day’
AFTER CONSECRATION: The Lens of Mercy
Appendix One: Living the Offering
Appendix Two: Family Offering and Divine Mercy Image Enthronement
One of the quotes from the book that I copied out and posted on my desk as a daily reminder is: “holiness. For now, let’s just consider that if we want to live the Little Way, we must do three things: (1) Recognize the darkness: Recognize the darkness of our littleness and brokenness. (2) Keep trying: Keep trying to grow in holiness and do little things with great love. (3) Keep trusting: Keep trusting and believing that God will satisfy our desires for holiness, even if we don’t yet fully understand how.”
This book was an excellent read. It challenges me spiritually. And really took me deeper in prayer. I know that from reading this and other books by Father Michael Gaitley that his writings are wonderful for your personal spiritual growth. There is also a DVD series that does with this book and next time I read through it I hope to have the opportunity to use the videos to supplement it.
I highly recommend this book and to be honest any by father Michael.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Michael E. Gaitley.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
This book was an incredible read. And it was even better working through it in community. While reading this book I highlighted over 100 passages on my first read through. Father Michael states in the introduction:
“A Sequel That Stands Alone — But Shouldn’t. You don’t have to read 33 Days to Morning Glory before reading this book — but I recommend you do. I say that because the essence of Marian consecration is to allow Mary to bring us to the pierced side of Jesus, which is the Fountain of Mercy. Okay, well, 33 Days to Morning Glory is a book that prepares us to consecrate ourselves to Mary, so she can, in fact, bring us to that fountain.
This book, on the other hand, is about drinking from that fountain. And while we can get to the Fountain of Mercy without making a Marian consecration, such a consecration enables us to drink from it so much more deeply and easily. We’ll learn the reasons for that during Week One of this retreat — which brings me to the structure of this book and how it works.”
And I can attest to having done the two books in this order and with only a short break between them that they do nicely build upon each other. Father Michael also says: “What’s Different from Morning Glory. Unlike 33 Days to Morning Glory, this book does not include four weeks with four different saints. Rather, the various weeks will focus on one saint: Thérèse of Lisieux and her spiritual teaching. And that’s okay because St. Thérèse is the master, the Doctor of the Church on these matters. Having said that, I will also include some of the teachings of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska, another great saint of mercy whose mission was closely related to that of St. Thérèse.” So there is a great deal of difference between the two books even though they follow a similar pattern.
Each day in this book follows the same pattern of a teaching followed by a short prayer. And these are some pretty amazing prayers; prayers seeking to be open to the Holy Spirit, to grow, to trust and many more. Some samples of those daily prayers are:
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to believe in God and his love for me, even when life seems meaningless, routine, and empty.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Help me to recognize my own lowliness and to rejoice in God’s mercy.”
“Come, Holy Spirit, fire of mercy. Give me the heart of an eagle, a burning longing to choose all that you will for me.”
But to be honest I highlighted almost all 33 daily prayers and have gone back through and prayed a number of them again and again.
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
WEEK ONE: What Is Trust?
Day 4: Mary’s Pilgrimage of Faith
Day 5: Mary’s Trial of Faith
Day 6: Mary’s Song of Faith
Day 7: New Eve of Light and Life
Day 8: None More Lowly
Day 9: Discovery of the Little Way
Day 10: Discovery of Divine Mercy
WEEK TWO: The Little Way
Day 12: You Will Become a Saint
Day 13: Prophet of Mercy
Day 14: No More ‘Thieves of Hope’
Day 15: What It’s Not
Day 16: What It Is
Day 17: What’s the Catch?
Day 18: No Purgatory?
WEEK THREE: The Offering to Merciful Love
Day 20: The Offering (Part One)
Day 21: The Offering (Part Two)
Day 22: The Darkness of Sin
Day 23: The Blindness to Sin
Day 24: Liturgical Darkness
Day 25: The Daily Darkness
Day 26: The World’s Darkness
WEEK FOUR: Into the Darkness
Day 28: Thérèse’s Darkness (Part Two)
Day 29: What Is Trust?
Day 30: The Little Way
Day 31: The Offering
Day 32: The Darkness
Day 33: Putting It All Together
FINAL FIVE DAYS: Synthesis and Review
DAY OF CONSECRATION: ‘The Happy Day’
AFTER CONSECRATION: The Lens of Mercy
Appendix One: Living the Offering
Appendix Two: Family Offering and Divine Mercy Image Enthronement
One of the quotes from the book that I copied out and posted on my desk as a daily reminder is: “holiness. For now, let’s just consider that if we want to live the Little Way, we must do three things: (1) Recognize the darkness: Recognize the darkness of our littleness and brokenness. (2) Keep trying: Keep trying to grow in holiness and do little things with great love. (3) Keep trusting: Keep trusting and believing that God will satisfy our desires for holiness, even if we don’t yet fully understand how.”
This book was an excellent read. It challenges me spiritually. And really took me deeper in prayer. I know that from reading this and other books by Father Michael Gaitley that his writings are wonderful for your personal spiritual growth. There is also a DVD series that does with this book and next time I read through it I hope to have the opportunity to use the videos to supplement it.
I highly recommend this book and to be honest any by father Michael.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Michael E. Gaitley.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
December 25, 2018
Honestly the best retreat by Fr. Michael, in my opinion. It seemed well researched, well founded, and well loved. Seemed to come from his heart. Very touching and moving read. I'm very glad that I took the time to work through this retreat and make the consecration. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart is good and beautiful, but we also need to remember the Sacred Heart and seeing that in becoming more like Mary we will become closer to the Merciful Love of Christ and appease his thirsting heart.
June 17, 2021
This book changed the way I see God. If you’re wanting to grow in trust and in love, 33 Days to Merciful Love will not disappoint.
May 14, 2023
Could not recommend enough!
Read
February 11, 2021St. Thérèse has had her touch on my life for a long time now, but it was a joy to get to know her even more deeply and her heart for the Father during these last 33 days. I have much to say, but really my words are this:
Read it.
Pray with it.
Do it.
His mercy is so beautiful.
Read it.
Pray with it.
Do it.
His mercy is so beautiful.
October 14, 2018
This retreat is definitely worth doing if you want to understand St. Therese and her little way to merciful love. A big idea in and of itself but Fr Gaitley breaks it all down so much that it’s comprehensible. Plus it only takes 33 days.
February 20, 2018
This book will change your life.
St. Therese is my patron saint, and I've spent the past 20 years of my life thinking that she was an untouchably holy hero with humility that revealed annoying insecurities and irrational fears.
Guess what? I was completely wrong.
Thanks to Fr. Gaitely, I now know that St. Therese was in fact a young woman full of passion and charisma who had legitimate struggles that lead her to Christ. She is the type of woman I want to be.
This book holds amazing truths and explains the insane reality of Christ's love in a mind-bogglingly straightforward way. There were definitely moments where I was doubtful and a little put off by the sheer extremity of St. Therese's claims of Christ's love, but in the end I am so glad I've read this book and hope to live by it the best I can.
Read it often, read the whole thing (don't end after the 33 Day segment - the rest of the book is great!) and then read it again. I want to live by the simple truth that I am entirely flawed and entirely loved by Christ. I think this book is a step in the right direction.
St. Therese is my patron saint, and I've spent the past 20 years of my life thinking that she was an untouchably holy hero with humility that revealed annoying insecurities and irrational fears.
Guess what? I was completely wrong.
Thanks to Fr. Gaitely, I now know that St. Therese was in fact a young woman full of passion and charisma who had legitimate struggles that lead her to Christ. She is the type of woman I want to be.
This book holds amazing truths and explains the insane reality of Christ's love in a mind-bogglingly straightforward way. There were definitely moments where I was doubtful and a little put off by the sheer extremity of St. Therese's claims of Christ's love, but in the end I am so glad I've read this book and hope to live by it the best I can.
Read it often, read the whole thing (don't end after the 33 Day segment - the rest of the book is great!) and then read it again. I want to live by the simple truth that I am entirely flawed and entirely loved by Christ. I think this book is a step in the right direction.
March 25, 2020
I love the concept of this book. The theology is well-reasoned, and the direction beautifully described. It was refreshing to read and drew an interesting parallel between two seemingly different saints, I had not ever considered as the same: Therese de Lisieux and Faustina Kowalska. I loved this insight!
I tend to resent over-usage of the word "little" when referring to Therese de Lisieux, however. It feel that it paints a childish image of the saint, that I feel is unbecoming to her mission and character.
Overall a very good read. I plan to recommit to it again.
I tend to resent over-usage of the word "little" when referring to Therese de Lisieux, however. It feel that it paints a childish image of the saint, that I feel is unbecoming to her mission and character.
Overall a very good read. I plan to recommit to it again.
November 28, 2016
This is probably the best book I have ever read - ever! I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you want a deeply spiritual and profound experience in an incredibly readable format this is it. It focuses on God's Divine Merciful Love as relayed by Him to both St Therese of Lisieux and St Faustina, with the final goal of the reader making a Consecration to Divine Mercy. I did this as a group but it can be done as an individual also.
January 18, 2018
I preferred Story of a Soul
I understand the concept of breaking it down into 33 small lessons, but I got much more out of Story of a Soul. This wasn’t “meaty” like Story of a Soul which really allowed reflection into the Little Way of St. Thérèse. This was a “just the basics” book for me.
I understand the concept of breaking it down into 33 small lessons, but I got much more out of Story of a Soul. This wasn’t “meaty” like Story of a Soul which really allowed reflection into the Little Way of St. Thérèse. This was a “just the basics” book for me.
January 21, 2024
Beautiful message of love in action. I did the 33 days earlier this year but didn’t finish the end notes until later. I did the consecration with a group of friends. We all love St. Therese so it made sense.
I loved learning about the biblical context and diving deeper into accepting mercy. We all need it.
I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love this book. It’s the time for Mercy. <3
I loved learning about the biblical context and diving deeper into accepting mercy. We all need it.
I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love this book. It’s the time for Mercy. <3
January 29, 2022
Beautiful guide to a self-lead retreat and/or preparation to Consecrate yourself to Merciful Love. Recommend for people who already know a little bit about St Therese of Liseux and St Faustina but it will also motivate you to want to learn more about their spirituality! Even better read with friends to discuss the points together after each week.
April 20, 2016
Just pre-ordered this book. Will follow the reading plan that finishes on Divine Mercy Sunday. I will update as I progress through the book.
January 6, 2017
I loved this novena. I am so inspired by Saint Therese. She makes me long to be a better person.
December 28, 2018
life changing stuff
be little with T and follow the Little Way of Mercy
be little with T and follow the Little Way of Mercy
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