Inspiring Christian Lives

Theresa of Lisieux, 1873-97

Winter 1886, Paris: A young girl in a comfortably middle class home is having a Christmas-crisis – she has just discovered that Father Christmas and his little elves don’t really exist. It was a potentially earth shattering moment for her. But with this, she realises the need to leave behind her childishness and to come of age spiritually. Within 3 years, the little girl, Theresa of Lisieux has entered an austere and challenging convent, whilst at a mere 16 years of age. Here, in a collection of writings, she developed what has become known as ‘the little way of spiritual childhood’. The ‘little way’ focuses on giving up our natural childishness and growing in spiritual childhood. There is a major difference between the two: natural childishness stays with us well into adulthood, unless dealt with: it reveals itself in self assertion, selfishness, greed and general unpleasantness towards others; spiritual childhood, however, is the complete opposite, revealing itself in a gracious life that is sensitive and open to the needs of others. She wrote down these things in her autobiography called ‘The journey of a soul’. After her death, this was collected by her friends in the convent and published in 1924 – within a few years her message had effortlessly spread all over the world. She was neither rich, nor powerful, neither glamorous nor intentionally famous.

Today, the most intellectually powerful Christian thinkers think that the ‘little way’ is the height of spiritual maturity – this is incredible given that Theresa had only the most basic education. So, apart from this little book, what else did she do that was so great and inspiring? Not much, really to the eyes of the world. But to her sisters she was always gentle and patient and valued for the joyful way in which she did even the most humdrum of tasks. Her appeal lies in this simple, self forgetful way, in simply putting God and others first in all that she did. In fact her life was remarkable for its ordinariness and this really is the essence of her secret – ordinariness. She shows us that to be Christian we must simply say yes to God’s way for us and carry out all that is asked of us joyfully and for the love of God. No showy deeds of heroism and daring do are required, no being rich and famous, no being a big noise, especially not in the eyes of others – all that is asked is abandonment to the love of God. During World War One, many French soldiers went to their deaths with pictures of Theresa on their uniforms, such was their admiration for her way.