I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux

"I Believe in Love" is a wonderful introduction to the wisdom of Therese of Lisieux. Reading it made me more fully appreciate her autobiography "Story of a Soul." Each chapter of the book comprises different topics that she addressed in her writings, and serves well as a meditation. I think the author states that it is his intent to provide the reader with a personal retreat based on the teachings of Therese. I read one chapter a night before I went to bed. Therese of Lisieux's approach to spirituality is accessible to any one in any walk of life. She describes souls as similar to different types of flowers. Some are roses, others lilies, and some like orchids, for example. And all can be equally pleasing to God in their own way, when seeking his role for them. People have different talents and different struggles, but these characteristics do not mean that any type is more valued than the other. The chapters are divided according to topics that address needs of everyone; regardless of what type of flower they are. The topics are drawn from examples of Therese's life and writings, but the author also includes many biblical quotes and some writings of other Christians, such as Teresa of Avila, that support the advice given. It is fitting that the first chapter describes love, as Therese sated that is the Church is one body, then she want to be its heart, that loves every one, because God is love. The chapter instructs how to demonstrate love to God and others through all actions of our lives, regardless of our station or ability. The chapter "Fraternal Charity" speaks in greater details about relations with others and how to fulfill our duties towards them The chapter "Unshakeable Confidence" outlines advice for people who experience spiritual dryness. It amazed me to learn that Therese of Lisieux experiences dryness, and helps console me when I feel similarly, because if some one who lived as holy a life as she did suffered from this problem, than I should not feel disillusioned from the experience. "Humble Confidence" is a chapter that provides sound guidance for acting in faith. It seems that there is a fine line between being confident in religion and proud, the latter of which is not a virtue. "Abandonment to Jesus" and "The Cross" are helpful chapters for people experiencing difficult times, and anxiety about the future; whether it is the daily grind that is wearing one down, or a specific setback. And Catholic may benefit particularly from the chapter on the "Eucharist," as the late Pope has named this year the "Year of the Eucharist." The book is easy to read and personal. The organization of the chapters, are useful for providing support to people during different struggles. I read the book through once, and return to different sections, depending on my needs, but each chapter is a complete meditation in itself and the book can be skipped around. Each reading makes me appreciate them more.

I received this book as a gift. A quick look at the Table of Contents and the conferences listed there had me feeling drawn to concentrate on this rather than dozens of other books waiting to be read on my shelves. I found that the book was exactly what the caption on the cover said: A Personal Retreat! Based on the Teaching of Saint Thérèse, Father d'Elbée quickly gets to the heart of what we all need to hear: How we are truly loved by God! Saint Thérèse is also one to go beyond what we normally imagine. The confidence she claims we can place in God; the confidence we should have in placing ourselves and our total trust in God; is both necessary for us to hear and very comforting. She is so confident, she says: forget you past! Just tell Jesus: "Make up for what I have done badly" and "Do what I have left undone." She gives her own personal examples.Father d'Elbée presents Saint Thérèse in such a realistic light. She appears as she truly is, for those who have studied her life, a child of God, similar to what she calls herself (Thérèse of the Child Jesus) and a disciple of Saint John of the Cross.Like all the saints, her message is founded on the virtue of humility, which she claims is so absolutely necessary. The message we receive is that if we knew what we could gain from this we would thirst for it. Father makes it clear that "no one but a disciple of Jesus can be humble." The simple reason is that it is not humanly possible because of our fallen human nature. We need His grace! The conference on "Great Desires, Humility, and Peace" is extremely helpful. One example, showing our blindness especially in respect to our need for humility, comes from the statement: "The majority of hurts, offended feelings, grudges, and bitternesses in life with others come from this obsession with our rights [i.e. we are always seeing injustice and demanding justice for ourselves and miserable when it does not happen], this need for esteem [the egotistical self-fulfilling pride that Saint John talks about], so strongly woven into our 'self.'" This is very true. We can only change ourselves. The solution for most of our problems lies within our grasp. It does, however, mean looking at ourselves with brutal honesty. But, it's the price we must pay for finding humility and peace.Don't jump to this part of the book. Read the whole thing. I am sure there is plenty that each person needs to hear. There is a lot that will hit home in each chapter.The Masters all say, not to advance in the Spiritual Life is to fall back. This book gives us food to help advance and keep advancing. Saint Thérèse is very profound in what she says, but when it comes down to what she asks us to do, they are very simple things-yes, maybe very hard to integrate into our lives, but it will not take a rocket scientist to know what she is talking about.If the book has the same effect on you that it had on me, give it as a gift to someone else. That's what I am doing now. I received it as a gift.

I BELIEVE IN LOVE is an outstanding book which explores the personal love that Christ has for each individual. It is an answer to the common cry of our modern world, a cry for love. This book delves into the true meaning of love and applies it to how we can love Christ, and how Christ loves us. When read with an open heart, I BELIEVE IN LOVE can change your life.

I can now add a third book to my list of all time favorites for their profound influence on my life. "I Believe in Love" ranks right up there with The Bible and Fulton Sheen's "Life of Christ". What I have been taught for nearly 5 decades of my life has finally become real in my heart and soul. In this Jubilee Year with its emphasis on the Eucharist, the chapter on that topic can stand alone and is worth the price of the book in itself. And I may add that for the anxious or depressed- this book is a sure remedy.

This book helped me to take my spiritual life to a whole new level. It allowed me to leave behind all feelings of guilt or inadequacy, and enter into a relationship with God that helped me to attain true joy.