SECRET OF SAINT THÉRÈSE, THE

Benedict Groeschel, Franciscan Friar and well-known author brings St. Thérèse of Lisieux into our contemporary lives, telling us how her experience of human living touches our own. With consummate skill, he weaves the fabric of tradition and theology with penetrating psychological insights based on Thérèse’s grasp of earthly existence. Humor and pertinent anecdotes add a special spice to his presentation. Father Groeschel takes hold of traditional doctrines like purgatory and the companionship of personal guardian angels and elucidates them with sure doctrinal precision. The tough topics of suffering and evil are encountered through the genius of Thérèse who leads us through dark paths with hope and confidence in the mercy of God. The speaker is never remote in his explanations but always links them to the world we inhabit and the invitation to holiness it contains. These talks were given in a parish setting and show how a gifted follower of St. Francis can reach to our everyday world and bring it the radiant message of a 19th century Carmelite nun famous as a worker of miracles and now a Doctor of the Church.