Living the Little Way

Maria V. Gallagher discovers a refreshing new way to live the Little Way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower. 

Living the Little Way: Six Keys to the Spirituality of Saint Thérèse

By Father Joseph Spence, FFM

Published by TAN BOOKS

I recall my mother telling me that, when she was a little girl, she treasured a photo she had of Saint Thérèse, the Little Flower. An only child whose parents became sick and could no longer care for her, my mom looked to Saint Thérèse as a key intercessor to bring her comfort and peace.

My own devotion to Saint Thérèse began when I was hoping to become a mother. I said a Novena to the Little Flower and, to my delight, I became pregnant with my only daughter. At times during my daughter’s toddler years I kept a perpetual Novena going to Saint Thérèse, who became my go-to girl for numerous prayer requests.

Given my devotion to her, I was delighted when I learned of the new book Living the Little Way: Six Keys to the Spirituality of Saint Thérèse by Father Joseph Spence. This little book is a real treasure and brightened my days with its helpful hints for drawing closer to the Lord by following the path laid out by Saint Thérèse.

We Need Thérèse’s Wisdom

The book’s introduction on p. xv points out that Pope Francis believed that the world needs Saint Thérèse’s insights and wisdom. As the late Holy Father stated:

As theologians, moralists and spiritual writers, as pastors and as believers, wherever we find ourselves, we need constantly to appropriate this insight of Thérèse and to draw from it consequences both theoretical and practical, doctrinal and pastoral, personal and communal. We need boldness and interior freedom to do so.

The author notes that Saint Thérèse’s spiritual director was Jesus Himself, who taught her the famous “Little Way” to salvation. The Little Way is basically a road map to sanctity where the sign posts along the journey point to Jesus within the ordinary circumstances of life. Saint Thérèse would offer up the heartache from little sufferings in the hope of obtaining graces from the Lord. While she might not have undertaken extraordinary acts, she showed extraordinary love through the manner in which she approached her duties.

Father Spence notes that Saint Thérèse’s entire spirituality can be summed up in a single sentence: “Jesus is my only love!” So enamored was she with Christ that she engraved the saying (in French) on the door frame of her cell.

We Need Thérèse’s Patience

We would all do well to imitate the patience of the Little Flower. Father Spence recognizes four profound wounds to the heart that Saint Thérèse had to shoulder:

• losing her mother when she was four years old;

• watching her father’s health decline after she reached the age of 15;

• her trial of faith at the age of 23; and

• her illness and subsequent death at age 24. 

Any of these crosses could have exacted a tremendous toll on her, but God used her suffering for good.

We Need Thérèse’s Sense of Charity

Saint Thérèse exhibited profound charity toward her family members, sinners, priests, the other Sisters in the convent, and her spiritual sons and daughters. She showed a great deal of love to others, especially those who did not treat her well. Her selflessness is indeed a model for us all.

Indeed, over the years I have found Saint Thérèse to be synonymous with love. As I have pored over her writings, the depth of her love has touched my heart. She loved the Lord with abandon, and shared that love freely and openly with others in a sisterly fashion.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Saint Thérèse or a more recent admirer, chances are Living the Little Way will offer you a springboard to greater devotion to this most special of saints.

Bonus Resource:

For an interesting take on Saint Thérèse’s intercession, please see the CatholicMom.com article “St. Thérèse Picked Me!” by Elizabeth Estrada.

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Copyright 2026 Maria V. Gallagher
Images: (top) detail from cover