Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

by Thérèse of Lisieux

does not call those who are worthy, but those whom He will. As St. Paul says: "God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy. [4] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy." [5]

I realised that in order to become a Saint one must suffer much, always seek the most perfect path, and forget oneself. I also understood that there are many degrees of holiness, that each soul is free to respond to the calls of Our Lord, to do much or little for His Love--in a word, to choose amongst the sacrifices He asks. And then also, as in the days of my childhood, I cried out: "My God, I choose everything, I will not be a Saint by halves, I am not afraid of suffering for Thee, I only fear one thing, and that is to do my own will. Accept the offering of my will, for I choose all that Thou willest."

fear from the devil, who is a coward, and will even fly from the gaze of a little child.

Our Lord made me understand that the only true glory is that which lasts for ever; and that to attain it there is no necessity to do brilliant deeds, but rather to hide from the eyes of others, and even from oneself, so that "the left hand knows not what the right hand does." [1]