The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower (with Supplemental Reading: Classics Made Simple) [Illustrated]

by Thérèse of Lisieux

Suddenly the statue came to life, and Mary appeared utterly lovely, with a divine beauty I could not possibly describe. There was a wonderful sweetness and goodness about her face, and her expression was infinitely tender, but what went right to my heart was her smile. Then, all my pain was gone. Silently two big tears trickled down my cheeks, tears of complete and heavenly happiness. Our Lady had come to me! “How happy I am,” I thought, “but I must not tell anyone or this happiness will go away.” When I lowered my eyes, I recognized Marie at once. She was looking lovingly at me and appeared to be very moved, as though she half-guessed what had just happened to me. I am quite sure I owed the wonderful favor of Mary’s smile to her prayers. Seeing my gaze fixed on the statue, she said to herself, “Thérèse is cured.” And so she was. The light from her “gentle sun” had revived the “little flower.” Delivered once and for all from her cruel enemy, she was alive again.