The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux is an autobiography of the saint who lived, for a brief while, near the end of the nineteenth century. The Story of a Soul methodically traces the life of this great saint. Her popularity makes The Story of a Soul a must-read for adherents of her, and the book will only appeal to them, but appeal strongly. St. Therese of Lisieux lived a brief, yet amazing life, and The Story of a Soul tells all about it. Can you imagine packing more into 24 years than this?
Summary of The Story of a Soul
There is not much to summarize in The Story of a Soul. It is a linear autobiography. The chapters in The Story of a Soul are instructive. Chapter One is the early childhood, Chapter Two is called At Les Buissonnets, Chapter Three covers her childhood sufferings, Chapter Four is about growing up, Chapter Five talks about Christmas grace, and after.
Chapter Six is about a trip she took to Rome. Chapter Seven is about becoming a Carmelite Nun, Chapter Eight is about the profession of her vows to a merciful life, Chapter Nine is about the life of a Carmelite nun, Chapter Ten is entitled The Way of Love, and Chapter Eleven is about her immense desires. There is an epilogue in The Story of a Soul.
At the start of The Story of a Soul, Thérèse says she intends to share her spiritual journey, emphasizing her thoughts on the nature of God’s grace and the beauty of simplicity in service to Him. She reflects on her early memories, the significant role of her loving family, particularly her mother, and the strong influences of her sisters. It turns out her family had a big effect on her.
In The Story of a Soul, Thérèse expresses her deep affection for her parents, her awareness of divine love, and her desire to follow God’s call, setting the stage for her later commitment to the Carmelite life. The opening chapters provide a glimpse into her childhood, characterized by love, piety, and a developing sense of vocation that would lead her to become a profound spiritual figure in the Church. The last few chapters are about her life as a Carmelite Nun.
Carmelite Nuns
Historical records about the origin of the Carmelite Order are uncertain, but the order was probably founded in the 12th century on Mount Carmel in the Crusader States. At first, Carmelites were only priests. The order of Carmelite nuns was formalised in 1452. Tradition indicates the presence on Mount Carmel of a series of Jewish and then Christian hermits who lived, prayed, and taught in the same caves used by Elijah and Elisha. This is the beginning of the Carmelite order.
Women close to the communities of Carmelite friars were drawn to their life of prayer from the Middle Ages. On October 7, 1452, Pope Nicholas V promulgated the bull Cum Nulla introducing the Carmelites in France. In 1463, a house was built in Vannes to accommodate a first community, and on November 2, 1463, nine nuns arrived in Vannes from Liège and settled permanently. While the Vannes convent suffered suppression in 1792 during the French Revolution, convents of Carmelite nuns had spread rapidly, including many in Spain and Italy.
By 2001, the membership of the Carmelites increased to approximately 2,100 men in 25 provinces, 700 enclosed nuns in 70 monasteries, and 13 affiliated Congregations and Institutes. In addition, the Third Order of lay Carmelites counts 25,000–30,000 members throughout the world. So, the order is now substantial, and it is good that we have an autobiography inside a Carmelite order. The Story of a Soul is valuable.
Conclusion
The Story of a Soul is informative because it is all about the life of a great and popular modern saint. St. Therese of Lisieux is known as the Little Flower. She died at only 24 years of age. St. Therese of Lisieux has become increasingly popular in recent times. She packed a lot into a short life, and The Story of a Soul gives an autobiographical look at that packed life and provides a valuable look at an 800-year-old order.
