And what did happen that night?
Therese was to remember later, that in one of her moments of consciousness she became aware of her sisters praying beside her, next to the statue of Our Lady. Therese's feverish red-streaked eyes turned toward the statue, the blue and white figure taking on a soft, floating form focusing in Therese's gaze into the beautiful figure of a smiling woman, the movement of her blue gown and the flow of her veil outlined in a soft white light standing against the darkness of the night. Therese gasped! Her heavenly Mother was visiting her graces upon this child and in that moment in the month of May, Therese was cured of her sickness and fever.
Therese would never forget what her Blessed Mother did for her, and Therese, as one receiving such a great grace, eventually wanted to pass it on to the whole world. But the way was not easy for this child who, at the age of 15 wanted to follow her sisters into the Carmel.
This part if her life and her struggles to enter Carmel, even going so far as seeking and obtaining an audience with the Holy Pontiff in Rome at that time, is well known and commonly associated with the story of The Little Flower, Therese. What is not so easily understood when looking at the life of many saints, is their longing for mystical union, as it was with Therese and her "Jesus." The spirituality that perhaps only the very simple can live, or theologians can explain. But it is spirituality with a communion of deep love for God, and neighbor.
