Saint Thérèse + the Humanity of the Saints
On Friday, we celebrate the feast of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
Saint Thérèse was one of the first Saints I learned about in extensive detail; her story compelled me to examine the lives of other Saints.
The Saints used to intimidate me. I did not understand how I could utilize the intercessions of our brothers and sisters in heaven—they seemed too holy and righteous. I failed to understand how to build relationships with them.
However, upon reading into the life of Saint Thérèse, I began to comprehend how relatable a mystic, Carmelite nun, and Doctor of the Church could be. Obviously, Saint Thérèse led an exceedingly upright life. However, she struggled in ways that we also struggle. She suffered from anxiety, depression, and OCD. In her early years, she was extremely sensitive and often felt overwhelmed by the weight of the world. She was highly strung and she crumbled under criticism. She had a sense of humor and did not refrain from making jokes. Prayer was often difficult for Saint Thérèse—she fell asleep during prayer and she struggled to pray the rosary. She survived a pandemic.
Upon hearing these facts, I was filled with immense peace. Sainthood is not for perfectly strung to people. Rather, it is for broken people who do not cease striving for goodness. We all fall. We all struggle. However, there is hope.
So often, we allow our failings, shortcomings, and sin define us. However, our identity is in the Father’s abundant love for us. Saint Thérèse’s life is a testament to this. Through her Little Way to Holiness, Saint Thérèse reminds us to simply turn to God in our struggles. We merely have to throw ourselves into His arms, allowing Him to carry us to sanctity.
My friend, God is so merciful and compassionate. He understands us. This spiritual journey to heaven is not dependent on our perfection. Instead, it is about our willingness to be loved by our Lord’s perfect love.
I pray that you might find hope in the stories of the Saints—hope that you, too, can spend eternity in full communion with God despite your brokenness.
“Jesus has chosen to show me the only way which leads to the Divine Furnace of love; it is the way of childlike self-surrender, the way of a child who sleeps, afraid of nothing, in its father’s arms.” // Saint Thérèse