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by: Patrick Ahern
Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 282.0922
EAN: 9780385492614
ISBN: 0385492618
Label: Doubleday
Manufacturer: Doubleday
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 304
Publication Date: September 15, 1998
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: September 15, 1998
Sales Rank: 313376
Studio: Doubleday
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
As Saint Thérèse lay dying in the Carmel of Lisieux, she overheard a conversation that amused her. Outside her window, two nuns were discussing what they could write in her obituary that could possibly be of any interest, since the twenty-four-year-old nun had never done anything worth noting. Thérèse was pleased, for she had always kept a low profile. With the posthumous publication of her spiritual autobiography in 1898, however, that low profile would vanish instantly. She became one of the most beloved saints of all time, and her influence will expand dramatically because of Pope John Paul II's declaration that she is a Doctor of the Church. Amid growing interest in her writings comes the collected correspondence between herself and a humble young seminarian, Maurice Bellière. Though they never met in person, they exchanged twenty-one letters that open a window on the heart of Saint Thérèse that would have remained forever closed had Maurice not written to the Mother Superior at the convent asking for a nun to pray for him. The Mother Superior chose Thérèse, and in these conversational letters the Little Flower reveals herself in a way that we would never have known from her autobiography. In his accompanying text, Bishop Patrick Ahern expertly leads the reader into the worlds of Maurice and Thérèse and reveals the full beauty of this saint's spirituality.
Amazon.com Review:
St. Therese of Lisieux, who died unknown in a Carmelite convent at the age of 24, became one of the most influential women in the world after her autobiography (The Story of a Soul) was posthumously published in 1898. Mother Teresa of Calcutta took her name from Therese; Edith Piaf kept Therese's picture on her night table; in 1997, Pope John Paul II made her a Doctor of the Church-- only the third woman to receive this distinction. Her autobiography describes a spiritual life full of everyday revelations--she saw God in jam sandwiches, pretty hats, and beautiful flowers. Maurice and Therese: The Story of a Love shows how her commonplace spirituality ministered to an aimless young priest unsure of his vocation and unstable in his devotion. Maurice Belliere wrote to Therese's Mother Prioress to ask that a nun pray for him, Therese was assigned to the task, and their 21 letters (edited and with commentary by Patrick Traherne) illustrate the young woman's extraordinary ability to love. She wasn't deeply familiar with Maurice, and she didn't agree with him on lots of things, but she was naturally inclined to have faith in him--a necessary aspect of love, and one that deserves attention. --Michael Joseph Gross
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - Encounter with St. Therese
A revealing portrait of a great saint, this book contains the correspondence between St. Therese and her spiritual brother Maurice Belliere, a struggling young seminarian. As you read the letters you can see the growing friendship between the saint and the seminarian as they learn about each other more. Even though the letters were only intended for Maurice, we can learn deeper throught them the meaning of her " little way ". It is also amazing that despite of her own struggles with illness and the ... Read More
Rating: - A true love story indeed!
This book changed my life!
I never have shown much of an intrest in St. Therese. Many people are devoted, but I never understood why.
This book helped me to see why.
This book taught me how to love and taught me much about mercy and trust.
Therese, a doctor of the Catholic Church, writes beautiful letters to Maurice, at times a somewhat confused seminarian. Therese meets us at our level to show us the love of Jesus.
This book is a one that points ... Read More
Rating: - Why is this book out of print?
This is a fantastic book! I enjoyed reading it immensely, and I want to give copies away to friends. I am sad to see it is out of print. It really should be brought back. It has a powerful synthesis of the Little Way, and the correspondence with Maurice brings this out very well. It becomes a correspondence and a comparison between a saint and someone who is trying to become one. Most of us can relate well with Maurice. The way St Therese relates with him helps me see the role of the saints in ... Read More
Rating: - A most beautiful book about Little Therese of Lisieux
if you admire and hold lots of devotion for St. Therese of Lisieux as I have for so long now- she always said she was Little Therese. However in this book the most moving charisma of her love and personality are seen in a "big" way regarding her friendship with Maurice. We see a saint so full of love and compassion for his shortcomings and never does she once in this book show anything but encouragement to Maurice. There are many lessons to be learned in reflecting on this book . One of the most significant ... Read More
Rating: - Wonderful
What a wonderful book about a wonderful saint! This book, while not a difficult read, is certainly rich in emotion, beauty, and spirituality. If you have read St.Therese's "Story of a Soul", this is an excellent "second book" to read. It tells of the story of a relationship between a seminarian/priest and St.Therese in her last days. I recommend it for anyone's spiritual edification, especially Catholic Christians.
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