The Paschal mystery in the life and writings of St Thérèse of Lisieux

Abstract

The life of St Thérèse of Lisieux sheds insights on the mission of Christ in his life on earth, especially on his self-giving and his self-emptying. Her experience of Jesus, as expressed in her Little Way, serves as a guide of the evangelical ideal, re-expressed for the modern world. This ideal is none other than love that has no limits, the love of God, a love that God freely bestows on all humankind, shining forth through Jesus, who loved us until the end. Thérèse shows us that our lives must be united with that of Christ, in abandonment and trust, so as to run with him towards a love that is infinitely extreme, the merciful love of God. This journey is the willingness to love till the total giving of oneself, and thus to participate in the redemptive love of Christ. Thérèse can guide modern man towards this Love, not only for the sake of our own salvation, but also for the salvation of others.