Happy in Humility

There is a book that I truly love that was written by the childhood sister of St. Therese, Celine Martin or later known as Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face.  The book is titled simply "My Sister Saint Therese."  As I have told you before, St. Therese was put in charge of the novices at her convent as novice mistress.  She spent much time forming the souls of the young sisters that would join their community.  As it worked out, Celine Martin, even though older than her sister by four years, entered Carmel after St. Therese so that she could care for her father in his declining health.  When Celine entered Carmel, she was being guided by her younger sister in the religious life.  Celine did not dislike this but rather thrived at being back with her soul-sister and tentatively listened to all that St. Therese advised.  Many years later, after St. Therese died, Celine began to write down all of the beautiful little teachings that her sister had shown her.  This really can be such a beautiful guide for all of us!

These two sisters were an inspiring gesture of the love that God can put into our hearts for one another.  Growing up they were partners in about everything they did- even the mischief they found themselves in.  These women are not what you may think of when you picture a cloistered nun living behind the walls of Carmel.  They were really quite heroic in their efforts to conform their wills to God's will and the life of sacrifice that they lived.  Their lives were filled with much hard work and discipline but yet they were truly happy and filled with peace as they offered all their prayers, works, joys and sufferings to Our Lord.  They did not loose their joy but rather through the perspective of their faith they really had a contagious joyful spirit about them.

When St. Therese would have her novices come to her with any type of discouragement she would quickly remind her sisters to stay close to humility so their joy would not be taken from them.  Once, Celine went to the Saint in a state of sadness and discouragement due what she thought was because of physical fatigue.  The Saint was quick to tell her that she should never blame her lack of virtue on anything physical or any other trial but rather make it an opportunity for humility and "take your place in the rank and file of little souls since you are so weak in the practice of virtue."  She went on to tell her that her soul was in a greater need for humility than practicing heroic virtue.  If all our actions were done perfectly then we would become prideful but when we recognize our weakness then we can recall these times of defeat and it will remind us of our littleness.  The Saint also told her that when our actions go unnoticed and unappreciated- it is actually a good thing for it keeps us humble!  We many never think we have the virtues we admire in other people and this will keep us close to humility.

After their talk, Celine asked her sister how she could "entertain such noble sentiments" and St. Therese replied, "My little method consists in this- rejoicing always and continually smiling- in times of defeat as well as victory."

~Taken from My Sister Saint Therese, pages 24-25