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The Little Way of Lent: Meditations in the Spirit of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Lent is not meant to foster morbid gloominess and debilitating self-loathing, but to thrust us into the heart of Divine love.—From the Introduction
While reading the autobiography of St. Thérèse, Fr. Caster had an 'ah ha' moment that transformed his experience of Lent from one of narrow concern over what to give up to one of joyful freedom to enter into the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. "What struck me," he says, "was her insistence on the way we do things for God and not the things we do for him. It wasn't about what I was offering; it was about why." The daily Lenten meditations in this book—all colored by St. Thérèse's Little Way of Spiritual Childhood—will transform you, too, helping you focus not so much on what you have done to offend God, but on what he has done to redeem you.
While reading the autobiography of St. Thérèse, Fr. Caster had an 'ah ha' moment that transformed his experience of Lent from one of narrow concern over what to give up to one of joyful freedom to enter into the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. "What struck me," he says, "was her insistence on the way we do things for God and not the things we do for him. It wasn't about what I was offering; it was about why." The daily Lenten meditations in this book—all colored by St. Thérèse's Little Way of Spiritual Childhood—will transform you, too, helping you focus not so much on what you have done to offend God, but on what he has done to redeem you.
130 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 17, 2015
This offers you a reflection a day for your Lenten journey. I was excited because I felt inclined to get to know St. Therese and what better way than have her lead me through Lent. This is where my disappointment lies. The reflections are based on what the theologian hopes are in her line of thought, but very little of St. Therese's own writings are used. Extremely short passages are quoted, which left me wanting more.
The other part that was lacking was any connection with the scripture passage of the day. I think the author did focus on the themes of Lent every week, but there wasn't any reference to the daily or weekly gospel passage.
The good things about this book is that the reflections are not short or long. The reflection also delves into spiritual practices that are not commonly promoted, such as sustaining hurts rather than react. It's not entirely illogical since there's something good to practicing self control and praying for your annoying "neighbor." It's not all what Lent's about, but it's definitely part of it!
The other part that was lacking was any connection with the scripture passage of the day. I think the author did focus on the themes of Lent every week, but there wasn't any reference to the daily or weekly gospel passage.
The good things about this book is that the reflections are not short or long. The reflection also delves into spiritual practices that are not commonly promoted, such as sustaining hurts rather than react. It's not entirely illogical since there's something good to practicing self control and praying for your annoying "neighbor." It's not all what Lent's about, but it's definitely part of it!
November 17, 2011
Good food for thought. Don't skip the introduction! Make me want to look up Therese's book the Story of a Soul. (I think that is the title.)
April 21, 2014
Incredible book for all!
This book always made me feel at peace and taught me to look at my Faith in a different way. I totally recommend this book!
This book always made me feel at peace and taught me to look at my Faith in a different way. I totally recommend this book!
April 20, 2025
I was very excited to read this book during Lent since I saw it had “meditations in the spirit of St. Therese of Lisieux.” Unfortunately, there weren’t enough meditations. I guess I was expecting something different. I did enjoy reading the scriptures for the day, but the readings and focus afterwards were often dry and just didn’t stay with me. Apologies to the author! If only St. Therese were alive today, or left more written words, that would have been the book I was hoping for.
February 28, 2018
It's a good little book of meditations for Lent. I didn't exactly read it the way it was supposed to be read. But it's got some really good material to meditate and pray on.
April 3, 2021
A beautiful daily read for Lent.
March 6, 2022
This Lenten resource is one I keep coming back to. I'm not Catholic, so there were a couple of times I skipped the accompanying bible passages because they referred to books not part of the Protestant bible, but overall I love this book and this is the third or fourth year I have used it as the guide for my Lenten journey. I recently read The Story of a Soul, the autobiography of Thérèse de Lisieux, and having that context gave The Little Way of Lent even more meaning. I'm very grateful to the author. This has been a blessed journey, particularly through these interesting times (Covid-19 lockdown and isolation). Lent has taken on a whole new meaning in a world of enforced deprivation and collective anxiety. I've been able to view the lockdown and self-isolation as an extension of the Lenten fasting and Gary Caster's book has walked me through it. Lent 2020 has been a real privilege.
April 20, 2019
Nice mediations especially at the end but could have used more of St Therese's writings. I re-read it this year for Lent and like it much better this time around. I think I was just in a different place spiritually. Makes me want to go back and re-read St Therese....including her letters!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews