Catholic Classics: The Story of a Soul

Lizette Lantigua reviews a new edition of the autobiography of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.

Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Catholic Classics)

Publisher: Ascension Press

Saint Thérèse’s autobiography, The Story of a Soul, is truly a keepsake and more relevant now than ever. Saint Thérèse, known as the “Patroness of the Atheists,” is a great intercessor for our times especially now that many young people identify in surveys as “none” to describe their religious affiliation. She is the perfect person to intercede for our youth. She ardently sacrificed and prayed for the conversion of many. 

We learn, with every turn of the page, of her emotional and spiritual growth helping us understand how faith is truly a journey. Her “Little Way,” as she describes the simple way anyone can achieve a path to holiness and grow in love for God, is not made up of great moments of difficult actions but of little moments of love. 

A new edition of a Catholic classic

The Story of a Soul is part of Ascension Press Catholic Classics series created in collaboration with the Carmelites. They use the only full authorized English translation of this classic work (an easy conversational English by Father John Clarke). This title has a leather-like cover, gold foil stamping and a place holding ribbon. It contains 25 photographs of Saint Thérèse; some are family pictures, and others are pictures taken at the convent.  

What makes this autobiography in particular so engaging is the commentaries before each chapter by Father Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. and Anne-Elisabeth Giuliani, with a Foreword by Cardinal Anders Arborelius, O.C.D. that shows light on many important parts of Saint Thérèse’s manuscript and helps us understand the depth of her spirituality.  

In 1997, Saint. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face was named a Doctor of the Church by Saint John Paul II, joining the ranks of just 37 saints, only four of whom are women. At the time there were comments of why such a young woman with no theological studies could be compared to the other men and women such as Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Teresa of Avila. However, as explained in this book, none of the other men and women declared Doctors of the Church are regarded with such esteem simply because they were great scholars but rather because they are “reference points” who “shed new light on the mysteries of the faith” and this is what Thérèse did. 

This is the perfect read for high school students, especially, in Catholic schools. While the great classics are important, books such as the life of Saints and other virtuous people, should be required reading as well. The impact of a good book can be life changing. Father Bertrand Janczyk writes in his commentary on Chapter 4 that it was Thérèse’s reading, particularly the life of Saint Joan of Arc, that inspired her desire for holiness. She wrote:

I wasn’t too good at playing games, but I did love reading very much and would have spent my life at it. I had human angels fortunately for me, to guide me in the choice of the books which, while being entertaining, nourished both my heart and my mind.

Another book that she read often was The Imitation of Christ, where she learned how to embrace suffering and its benefits of giving it up for others in need: in her case for saving souls. 

Favorite quotes from this book

There are so many gems one can learn from Saint Thérèse in this book which was originally published in 1898 at the request of her superiors. Her life is also an inspiration to families as her parents have both been declared saints, and her five sisters all entered the Carmelite convent. Thérèse has helped many understand that God is not someone to be afraid of. She teaches us to give ourselves to Him and surrender to His mercy. Her life is full of moments of great sufferings but also of many joys, graces, and consolations.

We see in her writings her sweetness and humility, which she purposely worked at. We also see her courage and boldness on many occasions. For example, when in pilgrimage to Rome she didn’t follow strict rules at times. She touched relics in display and boldly spoke to Pope Leo XIII and asked him to please allow her to enter the convent at her young age. It was during this pilgrimage, at 15 years of age, when she wrote on women’s bravery in the story of our faith:

Ah! Poor women, how they are misunderstood! And yet they love God in much larger numbers than men do and during the Passion of Our Lord, women had more courage than the apostles since they braved the insults of the soldiers and dared to dry the adorable Face of Jesus. It is undoubtedly because of this that He allows misunderstanding to be there lot on earth, since He chose it for Himself. In heaven, He will show that His thoughts are not men’s thoughts, for the last will be first.  

Her meditations and insights at such a young age were astounding. When speaking about the biblical story about Martha and Mary, she helps us understand what Jesus meant in His statement to Martha:

It is not Martha’s works that Jesus finds faults with; His blessed mother submitted humbly to these works all through her life since she had to prepare the meals of the Holy Family. It is only the restlessness of his ardent hostess that He willed to correct. 

On her final days of great suffering from tuberculosis, and other trials. she still showed joy and left us with a great promise. 

How unhappy I shall be in heaven if I cannot do little favors for those whom I love … I feel that my mission is about to begin, my mission of making others love God as I love Him … Yes, I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth. 

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Copyright 2024 Liz Lantigua
Images: (top) Ascension Press; all others Canva