Today, October 1, the Mother Church honours St Therese of the Child Jesus, whose ‘Little Way’ spirituality inspires many. In Goa, her feast is celebrated with solemnity, as she is the Joint Principal Patroness of Missions with St Francis Xavier. Institutions like St Theresa’s Higher Secondary School, Candolim, Little Flower High School in Calangute, St Theresa’s Convent High School in Raia, and St Therese High School in Vasco, as well as various religious formation houses and Lar de Santa Terezina (orphanage), are dedicated to her. She is also the Patroness of the Carmelite Monastery Church in Margao, and the Konkani weekly, ‘Vauraddeancho Ixtt,’ reflects her patronage.
As we approach the, centenary of her canonization in 2025, we reflect on her spirituality and the essence of her ‘Little Way.’ Carmelite priest Fr Francois Jamart's book, ‘Complete Spiritual Doctrine of St. Therese of Lisieux’, explores her teachings. St Therese’s insights on littleness, poverty, confidence, love, abandonment, and simplicity offer a path to holiness grounded in humility and trust in God. Her life reminds us that embracing our limitations and surrendering to divine will can inspire and guide our own spiritual journeys.
Littleness or humility:
Littleness, or humility, involves recognizing one's nothingness before God and accepting one's faults and limitations. This acceptance leads to a deeper understanding of God's love and one's true identity. For St Therese, her sufferings and weaknesses revealed her littleness, drawing her closer to Jesus. She believed acknowledging one’s littleness opens the way for God’s grace and growth toward perfection.
Poverty:
For St Therese, poverty reflects a deep dependence on God, while littleness signifies personal weakness. She believed that embracing one's own poverty and littleness pleases God, as she expressed: “The thing that pleases Him is that I love my littleness and poverty and have a blind hope in His mercy.” She saw all goodness and merit as gifts from God, recognizing that only through accepting her own limitations could she fully receive His merciful love.
Confidence
St Therese’s confidence, rooted in God, allowed her to believe she could become a saint despite her littleness. Her understanding of her own poverty led her to trust fully in God’s constant support, dispelling anxiety and affirming that divine assistance is abundant even in human limitations. This confidence in God's care was central to her message.
Love
Love is at the heart of St Therese's message, especially God's merciful love. She believed this love could change even the smallest and most imperfect people into saints. This inspired her to offer herself to God for those who reject His love. St Therese taught that true holiness comes from love, not actions, stating, “Merit does not consist in doing or giving much. It consists in loving much.” She saw this truth as a direct teaching from Jesus. Love was central to her spirituality and life. Through her deep love for God, she showed true charity in difficult times, making her ‘little way’ a path to holiness in response to God's love.
Abandonment
In her autobiography, St Therese likened herself to a small ball belonging to the infant Jesus, symbolizing her complete surrender to His will. Her concept of abandonment involved aligning her personal will with God's, embracing her own littleness and reliance on His mercy. This abandonment was characterized by a childlike trust, as she expressed, "He wants me to practice abandonment, like a little child who does not worry about what others might do with him."
For St Therese, abandonment did not mean passivity but involved active cooperation with God's grace. She believed that surrendering to God’s will was dynamic and fruitful, reflecting an ongoing, cooperative relationship rather than a state of stagnation.
Simplicity
Simplicity is a core element of St Therese's spirituality, deeply rooted in the ordinary aspects of life. It highlights her belief that God is present in the everyday—whether joyful, sorrowful, or glorious. St. Therese saw simplicity as a way to experience God in the ordinary and straightforward. She expressed this in her prayers, which were direct and unadorned, and in her approach to life.
For instance, when ill, she rejected the idea of dying after Communion to avoid suffering, stating it would contradict her ‘little way.’ She emphasized that her spirituality was meant to be accessible and relevant, ensuring that even in simplicity, it could be a path that others could follow.
St Therese's spirituality is grounded in three main sources
First, she found inspiration in the Holy Scriptures. Proverbs 9:4 conveyed God's call to spiritual childhood, emphasizing that even the smallest among us are welcomed. This understanding deepened with Isaiah 66:12-13, which highlights God's nurturing care, affirming her belief that embracing spiritual childhood allowed her to experience His tender love.
Second, her Carmelite formation was essential, shaped by the teachings of St Teresa of Jesus and St John of the Cross, which focused on humility, poverty, confidence, and love.
Finally, St Therese drew inspiration from the Holy Family, viewing them as examples of holiness in daily life. She perceived God as a loving Father rather than a strict ruler, relying on His merciful love as her strength and guide to sanctity.
As we approach the centenary of St Therese's canonization in 2025, we take time to reflect on the simplicity and richness of her spirituality. In celebrating her legacy, may we draw inspiration from her example of humility, love, and steadfast trust in divine grace.
(Br Malvino Alfonso is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites based at Avila Jyothi, Peddem, Mapusa)