“Little things done out of love, are those that charm the Heart of Christ… but the most brilliant when done without love are but nothing.”
In this episode, Tom Shrewsbury delves into the life and spirituality of Saint Therese, often known as the Little Flower. He introduces Therese as a figure whose simplicity and dedication to God’s will made a profound impact despite her young age and seemingly uneventful life as a Carmelite nun. Tom details her early life, highlighting the influence of her devout parents, Louis and Marie, who were both beatified.
Therese’s desire to join the Carmelite convent at a young age is discussed, including her challenges in being accepted due to her youth, and her eventual triumphant entry into the convent at fifteen. Tom emphasizes her spiritual journey within the convent, focusing on her “little way” philosophy which involved doing small acts with great love and considering this her path to holiness.
Tom recounts the physical struggles she faced, including her battle with tuberculosis which ultimately led to her death at 24. Despite her sufferings, her autobiography, “Story of a Soul,” penned at the command of her superiors, has inspired millions around the world. Tom concludes with Therese’s beatification, her canonization, and her designation as a Doctor of the Church, underscoring her lasting influence and the relevance of her teachings in contemporary spirituality.
Chapter 1: Introduction to Saints and Sainthood – Tom discusses the profound impact of canonized saints and those on the path to sainthood on our faith and the world, using examples like Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Therese of Lisieux. [00:00:00]
Chapter 2: The Life and Influence of Saint Therese’s Parents – Tom delves into the religious backgrounds and influences of Louis and Marie, Therese’s parents, who both were beatified, highlighting their failed attempts to join religious orders before marriage. [00:02:49]
Chapter 3: Early Years and Spiritual Formation – Tom portrays Therese’s early life, her loss at a young age, her education, and the spiritual influences of her family, setting the stage for her religious vocation. [00:04:12]
Chapter 4: The Christmas Conversion – A pivotal moment in young Therese’s spiritual journey, Tom recounts the incident on Christmas when Therese’s perspective on personal setbacks transformed, deepening her religious conviction. [00:05:10]
Chapter 5: Therese’s Path to the Carmelites – Tom discusses Therese’s persistent efforts to join the Carmelite convent despite her young age, including a significant encounter with the Pope. [00:08:36]
Chapter 6: Convent Life and Little Way – Tom explains Therese’s philosophy of ‘the little way,’ her challenges in the convent, and how her unique approach to sainthood began to form. [00:12:14]
Chapter 7: Writing ‘Story of a Soul’ – Therese’s autobiographical work, penned as a mandate from her superiors, in which she details her internal spiritual journey and the concept of “little way,” is discussed by Tom. [00:17:13]
Chapter 8: Health Decline and Continued Faith – Tom narrates the later years of Therese’s life in the convent, marked by declining health and the deepening of her spiritual insights, which she documented in her autobiography. [00:20:32]
Chapter 9: Final Days and Legacy – The episode concludes with Tom detailing Therese’s final days, her death, and the profound impact of her spiritual writings, which contributed to her canonization and recognition as a Doctor of the Church. [00:24:52]
Saint Therese of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower of Jesus, was a French Carmelite nun who lived in the late 19th century. She is remembered for her simple yet profound spirituality and her doctrine of the little way, which emphasized doing small acts of love and sacrifice for God and others. Throughout her short life, Therese experienced many struggles and setbacks, including the death of her mother and her own battle with tuberculosis. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her faith and offered her sufferings to God for the salvation of souls. After her death at the age of 24, Therese’s autobiography, The Story of a Soul, was published and became immensely popular. Today, she is recognized as one of the greatest saints of the Catholic Church and a patroness of missionaries. Her life and teachings continue to inspire people to live a life of love and humility.
Tom Shrewsbury (1930-2012) was born in Springfield, MO. He spent several years in the professional theatre where he worked with such celebrities as Vincent Price, Lucille Ball, and Carol Burnett.
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