The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-01-03

The pilgrimage to Rome started No
vember z, 1887 November 20 Teresa
attended an audience given by Pope
Leo XIII. She had received no answer
from the Bishop of Bayeaux and de-
termined to make an appeal to the
Holy Father himself. In the audience
room she was about to speak when
Father Reverony, who had accom-
panied the pilgrimage from France,
forbade any member Of the party to
address His Holiness. Poor, timid
little Teresa didn't know what to do.
She turned to her sister with inquir-
ing eyes:
Speak" advised Celine.
A moment later Teresa was on her
knees before the Holy Father. With
eyes filed with tears she whispered:
Holy Father, have great favor to
ask you. Holy Father, in honor of
your jubilee will you allow me to en-
ter the Carmel when l am fifteen?"
Here Father Reverony interrupted
to explain that the Superiors of the
Carmel at Lisieux had Teresa's case
under advisement
We'll, my child" said His Holiness,
do whatever the Superiors decide"
But Teresa made another effort.
Holy Father she said, IF only
you will say yes every one else will
agree"
"Well, WE'LL" was Pope Leo's re-
Spouse, you will enter if it is Gods
will
The Little Flower was about to
make further appeal when the
guards led her away. The Holy Fa-
ther blessed her as she was departing.
He was deeply touched by the little
girls devotion.
And so the Little Flower came away
from Rome with heavy heart and
without having secured permission to
enter the Carmel at fifteen. She had
given up all hope in human aid now
and placed her trust entirely in God.
Her father wanted to take her to Jeru-
salem, but she was tired of earthly
pilgrimages and only longed for the
beauties of heaven" She wanted to
become prisoner" in the Carmel as
quickly as possible. She believed that
the good God would help her and still
hoped to get permission to enter her
prison" by Christmas Day, 1887.
On New Years Day, 1888, the Bishop
authorized her immediate entry to
Carmel, but it was not until April 9,
1888, that the doors of Carmel opened
for her. She was professed Septem-
Der 8, 1890, and received the veil on
the oath of the same month. At her
examination at the time of her pro-
fession she said: Il have come to
save souls and especially to pray for
priests"
For nine years she lived the life of
a Carmelite-a life of prayer and NOR
LITIGATION and sacrifice. She performed
all of her duties with the greatest of
care. Although her health was always
delicate she joined in all of the au-
sterities from the moment of her en-
try and was never heard to complain.
She always thought that she would
die young. She longed to enter heaven
at an early age, although, she con-
fesses, this was favor she did not try
to obtain.
But the favor she desired, but would
not ask, was granted. She began to
fail. Still she insisted on practicing
every austerity. She kept her suffer
ings to herself. She would sometimes
be SO tired on going to her call inc the
evening, it was discovered later, that
she would scarcely have the strength
to undress. When she was asked if
she would like to have some one with
her during her hours of distress at
night she replied: 81 am content to
suffer alone-as soon as l am pitied
. and loaded with attentions my happi-
ness leaves me-"
She was advised to take a stroll in
the garden each day and accepted the
suggestion as positive Injunction. A
sister detecting that the Little Flower
was dragging herself along apparently
with great effort advised her to sit
down, saying: you only tire your
SELF"
"That is true" was the response.
But do you know what gives me
strength? / offer each step for some
missionary I think that possibly over
there far away one of them is weary
and tired in his apostolic labors and to
lesson his fatigue I offer mine to the
good God"
On June 5, 1897, her condition be-
came so grave that the Community be-
gan novena to Our Lady Of Victories
in last effort to secure her recovery.
In July she was removed to the in
Urinary. The remarkable resignation
with which she accepted her suffering
excited the admiration of her doctor,
who said: eff you only knew what she
has to endure! / have never seen any
one suffer so intensely with such a
look of supernatural JOY"
She was anointed July 80. She
thought that the end was then near
and said: "The door of my prison is
ajar. am stepped in JOY"
But she fingered for many days
From August Is to September 30 she
was so i'll that she was unable to re.
ceive Holy Communion, although this
was a privilege she ardently desired.
She died on the evening of Thurs.
day, September 80, 1897, while the
Sisters of the Carmel we're gathered
around her bed. The death agony be
gan at half past four in the afternoon
Shortly after seven o'clock in the even
!. TO- IL, Ins 10 MNfh Drsfo cc