Lisieux's Poet Laureate: Gems From Saint Thérèse's Correspondence

Book excerpt: The evolution of Saint Thérèse's spirituality can be traced through the two volumes of her published General Correspondence. Each chapter is devoted to a particular correspondent, and explores the nature and scope of the rapport Thérèse established with this individual. Following a brief biographical entry, "found poems" (see the Introduction to this book for an explanation of this literary sub-genre) are then generated to encapsulate the essence of the correspondence. The medium of found poetry has never before been applied to the vast output of Theresian scholarship.It is the hope of author W. Bruce Ingram that this collection of ?fty-one found poems-abridged facets of Saint Thérèse's affectionate exchanges-will act as a gateway, a catalyst, prompting a more in-depth study of and prayerful reflection on the doctrine of Saint Thérèse's "Little Way of Spiritual Childhood." Anyone interested in spiritual enrichment, the study of saints, and devotees of Saint Thérèse, is sure to find this book thoughtful and inspiring.