Beloved for her reflections in The Story of a Soul, St. Thérѐse of Lisieux is known as one of the best-selling authors of all time. Though she viewed herself as an ordinary “Little Flower” treasured by God, her extraordinary spiritual insights have been translated into over 38 languages, with millions of copies in print.
Reading St. Thérѐse’s reflections, it’s easy to see why her writings have endured for over 120 years: throughout her work shines an unfailing commitment to humility, kindness, and selfless love. As we celebrate her memorial on October 1, we hope you are inspired by these 10 quotes on living in love, prayer, and faith.
On the Meaning of Love
“Perfect love means putting up with other people’s shortcomings, feeling no surprise at their weaknesses, finding encouragement even in the slightest evidence of good qualities in them.”
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
“It is true that Love knows no such word as ‘impossible,’ for it deems ‘all things possible, all things allowed.’”
On Trusting God
“We must abandon the future into the hands of God.”
“The good God does not need years to accomplish His work of love in a soul; one ray from His Heart can, in an instant, make His flower bloom for eternity…”
“Time is but a shadow, a dream; already God sees us in glory and takes joy in our eternal beatitude. How this thought helps my soul! I understand then why He lets us suffer.”
“We can never have too much confidence in the good God… As we hope in Him so shall we receive.”
On the Love of Christ
“Jesus, it seems to me you could not have overwhelmed a soul with more love than you have poured out on mine.”
“Even if the fire of love seemed to have gone out, I would keep on throwing fuel in it and Jesus would take care to light it up again.”
On Prayer
“For me, prayer is an upward leap of the heart, an untroubled glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love which I utter from the depths of sorrow as well as from the heights of joy.”
Sources:
“7 Keys to Praying without Ceasing,” Aleteia.
Butler’s Lives of Saints, ed. Bernard Bangley.
A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints, Dr. Paul Thigpen.
“St. Therese Quotes,” Society of the Little Flower Website.
The Way of Saints, Tom Cowan.