Published May 3 2022

In June 1897, Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus spoke with Abbé Bellière. He is torn between the call received and the reality of what he is: “It was the Sacred Heart that converted me, after so many foolishness, cowardice – the good years, those that Jesus loves more, I wasted them…” (LC 186).

Thérèse's response opens a new era full of encouragement: “I thank Jesus who looked at you with a gaze of love like the young man of the Gospel in the past” (LT 247).

The spiritual direction of Saint Thérèse is full of strength and gentleness at the same time. Grafted on the Word of God, it attests to the feelings of Jesus: He “looked at you with a gaze of love”, here and now. She affirms: “Happier than him, you responded faithfully to the call of the Master, you left everything to follow Him, and that at the most beautiful age of life, at 18 years old. »

This decision of the young Maurice Bellière is fully and freely his. However, he owes it at the same time to the mercy of the heart of God: “Ah! my brother, like me you can sing the mercies of the Lord, they shine in you in all their splendor…”

The spiritual direction of young Sister Thérèse – she is just 24 years old – transports young Abbé Bellière, aged 23, to the shores of thanksgiving and joyful recognition of the work of God in him. And Saint Thérèse refers to Saint Mary Magdalene, whose deep heart she senses overwhelmed by the Love of Jesus who can do everything: "I feel that her heart has understood the depths of love and mercy of the Heart of Jesus..."

Thérèse can take this direction and show the way to this path of abandonment because she herself has experienced it: “Ah! my dear little Brother, since it was given to me to also understand the love of the Heart of Jesus, I confess to you that it has driven all fear from my heart. The memory of my faults humbles me, leads me never to lean on my strength which is only weakness, but even more this memory speaks to me of mercy and love. »

Thérèse invites her brother to trust: “How, when one throws one's faults with wholly filial trust into the devouring blaze of Love, how could they not be consumed beyond repair? She advises him what she freely chooses for herself: "I try not to worry about myself in anything anymore, and what Jesus deigns to do in my soul I abandon to him, for I have no not choose an austere life to expiate my faults, but those of others. »

This surrender to the heart of Jesus is missionary. Thérèse intercedes for the conversion of sinners and her own mission, in the same movement, brings her closer to the heart of Jesus.

May this summer time encourage young people in particular to respond favorably to the call of the love of the heart of Jesus.

Father Olivier Ruffray, Rector of the Sanctuary, for the June issue of the Review Therese of Lisieux

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