Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway

On August 12, 1895, Therese presented this poem to Sister Marie of the Trinity for her twenty-first birthday.  Marie of the Trinity had entered the Lisieux Carmel on June 16, 1894. At age 20, she was the only nun in the community who was younger than Therese.  Especially devoted to the Holy Face of Jesus, she had been given the name "Sister Marie-Agnes of the Holy Face" when she entered.  On this 21st birthday she was still known by that name.  It was not until she was professed on April 30, 1896 that, to avoid confusion with the name of Mother Agnes of Jesus, she took the name "Marie of the Trinity and of the Holy Face." 

Marie of the Trinity and Therese were intimate friends, and Therese had been charged with guiding her since her entrance more than a year before.  Therese takes advantage of their shared devotion to the Face of Jesus, which she herself wanted not to make reparation to but instead to resemble, to create this poem to be sung for her novice's birthday.  Thanks to the generosity of the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites and the Carmelites of Lisieux, ou may read the full text of this tender and artless song at "My Heaven on Earth" (Poem 20) on the Web site of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux. 

The photographs of Marie of the Trinity are under copyright.  On the Web site of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux, you may see Marie of the Trinity with Therese on March 17, 1896.  Visit the Archives site to learn more about Marie of the Trinity and her relationship with Therese.