From Thérèse to Nénette

Extract

The Saints have their spiritual lineage, their spiritual fecundity. We can trace, for instance, in one direct line of vital influence, the mystic genealogy of St. Theresa of Jesus through St. Catherine of Siena to St. Gertrude. But the great Avilan, that giantess among the Saints and ‘Mater Spiritualium,’ is invited to rejoice more ecstatically, because a whole world of Carmels is peopled with her daughters,

‘Each with the Mother’s likeness,

‘And something all her own.’

The noblest quality of the Saint is the power he possesses of begetting others in his spirit. Each friend of Jesus in his turn finds in himself, in some degree, a superabundance of exceptional graces by which he can help in giving life to others: to others who will, in due time, be able to stand up to the world and answer for themselves. Among the offspring of Theresa of Spain one sweet violet has drawn to herself, in love and veneration, the whole Catholic world of our generation. Jesus is in her, reconciling the sinful, sentimental multitudes to His holy love. There is now a gospel according to Theresa. It is a gospel poured forth upon a thirsty world from a heart so full of grace that no barrier of age or sex or enclosure could prevent it from leaping forth into the sunlight, to delight Christendom. ‘We cannot help uttering what we have seen and heard,’ protested the Apostles; and the new St. Theresa has seen and heard, and she, too, must needs speak, teaching her ‘little way,’ better than the best of bodhi-sattvas.