St. Thérèse of Lisieux By Those Who Knew Her: testimonies from the process of beatification

by Christopher O'Mahony (Editor and Translator)

Gathered during the process of her beatification and presented here is the actual testimony of 15 persons who knew St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) intimately. From their own personal encounters with Sister Thérèse, her three sisters, a maid, a school companion, her novice mistress, her novices and others all have valuable insights to share with us. And what they have to say provides a wonderful view into the character and indomitable courage of this remarkable person wholly yielded up to God in love.

Like so many popular figures, Thérèse has suffered in the past from a tendency on the part of some well-meaning devotees to glamorize her. More recently, however, both scholars and friends have sought greater authenticity. And it is this desire to know the authentic Thérèse which prompted a team of Carmelite scholars to publish the Process of Beatification. Father O'Mahony's edition brings the work of these scholars within the reach of St. Thérèse's many English-speaking friends.

(above is from the back cover)

ISBN: 0-87973-682-8 (this clashes with ISBN of Being Catholic by Peter Kreeft, I believe the latter title has an incorrect ISBN)
OSV, B395-682

Genres: Religion

287 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't get through all of it, but very good.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable for any devotee of the Little Flower for the anecdotes from those who knew her, it is often repetitive. For a saint who is known for her humility and little way, Therese' virtue often comes off as an almost unreachable standard to imitate--or, at least that is how some in this book depict her (no disrespect--I have much admiration/devotion to Therese). I found the more interesting witnesses to her beatification to be those outside of her immediate family, specifically the novices she guided. I feel the nuns she lived with outside of her family circle provided more nuance of character.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Repetitive, yes, but I don’t think having St Therese’s virtues described in detail over and over again is necessarily a bad thing ;-) I wouldn’t read this immediately after Story of a Soul, perhaps, but it is certainly worth the read, especially once you get past her own sisters’ testimonies and into those of various nuns who had different relationships with Therese and bring a new perspective.