Smiles of God : the flowers of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

Therese of Lisieux was dubbed The Little Flower. Taking this as her theme, Felicity Leng has shown how Therese's flowering as a Saint was a process of hardship, inner conflict and physical and moral endurance. The Little Way (her spiriual message) has become something immensely appealing to people from all walks of life. There is constant demand for books on Therese, yet no book or article on her has shown the various sources of her flower imagery and how she drew on them to shape her unique vision of herself and her never-ending relationship with God, people, the Church and the natural world. The reader is constantly pointed to Therese as a living personality with a mature creative imagination. Her concept of purpose, redemption, effort, suffering and joy, now and hereafter, is gradually constructed throughout the book. This presentation of the flowers of Therese of Lisieux, patron saint of florists and gardeners, makes her more accessible as a religious thinker and creative artist. From childhood onwards, she wrote and talked about herself, other people, and God in terms of flowers, actual and symbolic. This study, based on research in the places where she lived and worked, is the first account of Therese's life, reading, writings and reception from this viewpoint. Felicity Leng shows how Therese used flowers to shape her unique vision of herself, and her relationship with God, the Church and the natural world. The book represents Therese in terms of her background and writings as an unfolding flower in the garden of Carmel, of this world and of eternity, and as people have related to her since her death. It is intended both for those well-acquainted with her life and works, and for those who know almost nothing about her. The book is illustrated by the author. Therese of Lisieux was dubbed The Little Flower. Taking this as her theme, Felicity Leng has shown how Therese's flowering as a Saint was a process of hardship, inner conflict and physical and moral endurance.The Little Way (her spiritual message) has become something immensely appealing to people from all walks of life. There is constant demand for books on Therese, yet no book or article on her has shown the various sources of her flower imagery and how she drew on them to shape her unique vision of herself and her never-ending relationship with God, people, the Church and the natural world.The reader is constantly pointed to Therese as a living personality with a mature creative imagination. Her concept of purpose, redemption, effort, suffering and joy, now and hereafter, is gradually constructed throughout the book. Felicity Leng. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [180]-182).