Despite their importance, the poems of St. Thérèse of Lisieux are among the least known of her writings, previously available only in highly edited selections. Here for the first time in English is the complete collection of Thérèse's poetry, faithfully translated from the French critical edition by Donald Kinney, O.C.D. Also included are a preface by Jean Guitton, a general introduction to Thérèse's spiritual and poetic development, 6 photos, and individual introductions to each of the poems, indicating its background and significance. The volume closes with the French text of the poems and a fully linked index to their major themes and images. Together with the ICS Publications editions of Thérèse of Lisieux's Story of a Soul, Last Conversations, Letters, Plays, and Prayers, this is an indispensible work for all those who love the life and spiritual message of "the greatest saint of modern times."

Though the influence of Therese of Lisieux has spread far and wide since her canonization, her gifts as a poet have remained largely unknown to English speaking readers. Alan Bancroft's admirable translation captures the intelligence and fervor of her fifty poems that celebrate her joyous surrender to God.

St. Therese was born in Alencon, France, January 2, 1873. Therese, a singularly precocious, charming and beautiful child set her heart upon entering the convent at the age of fifteen. Her wish was granted nearly to the letter, or on April 9, 1888, when only a little more than three months past her fifteenth birthday, she was received into the Carmel­ite monastery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Immaculate Conception, at Lisieux, France. There she lived for nine years a life of remarkably joyous and childlike or angelic holiness and there September 30, 1897, she died. Her name in religion was Sister Teresa of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face. In her character she so exemplified the loveliness and the sanctity of the Child Jesus Himself, and to such a singular degree throughout her whole short life did she love and serve her Lord, that the Mother Prioress bade her write her memories, which, with entire openness and simple obedience, she did.

The evolution of Saint Thérèse's spirituality can be traced through the two volumes of her published General Correspondence. Each chapter is devoted to a particular correspondent, and explores the nature and scope of the rapport Thérèse established with this individual. Following a brief biographical entry, "found poems" (see the Introduction to this book for an explanation of this literary sub-genre) are then generated to encapsulate the essence of the correspondence. The medium of found poetry has never before been applied to the vast output of Theresian scholarship.It is the hope of author W. Bruce Ingram that this collection of ?fty-one found poems-abridged facets of Saint Thérèse's affectionate exchanges-will act as a gateway, a catalyst, prompting a more in-depth study of and prayerful reflection on the doctrine of Saint Thérèse's "Little Way of Spiritual Childhood." Anyone interested in spiritual enrichment, the study of saints, and devotees of Saint Thérèse, is sure to find this book thoughtful and inspiring.

Over a period of about three years toward the end of her life, St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) was asked by her Carmelite superiors to compose eight theatrical pieces for special occasions in her convent. She did not consider them mere trivial amusements. On the contrary, Therese invested herself wholeheartedly in the writing and performance of these little dramas, which provided a welcome opportunity to articulate her growing spiritual insights and share them with her religious community. Here we find echoes of her great themes, some where developed at greater length than anywhere else in her writings: Mary of Nazareth and Joan of Arc, humility and the little way, confidence and love, and so much more. In the present volume, for the first time, all eight of her plays (or pious recreations, as they are sometimes called in the French) are published together in their entirety for English-speaking readers. They open a new window onto the message of the church's youngest Doctor. Also included is a masterful general introduction by the noted Theresian expert, Bishop Guy Gaucher, O.C.D., as well as individual introductions to each play explaining it in context and significance. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights a hallmark of truly Christian prayer - bold confidence, fearless trust. This books explores this boundless trust through the lens of the life of St Therese of Lisieux and expounds it with her spiritual teaching. She can be a patron of this confidence in our prayer. She can be the champion of this holy daring in every area of our Christian discipleship. 'Your book has deepened my appreciation of Therese even though for most of my life I have been reading her, and reading and thinking about her and growing in love for her. I thank you for writing it.' Bishop Patrick V. Ahern 'A wonderful work! The author's attractive and scholarly writing distils for us the pure essence of Therese's filial daring. In its account of how she was on terms of holy familiarity with God this book is joyous, impressive, luminous.' Alan Bancroft translator of St Therese's poetry John Udris is Cathedral Dean of Our Lady and St Thomas, Northampton. He has a Licence in Spiritual Theology from the Pontifical University of St Thomas, Rome, where he focused his studies on St Therese.