I recently came across a passage in the diary of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, entitled The Story of a Soul. It was the passage where St. Thérèse described her First Confession.
My daughter just made her first Sacrament of Reconciliation, so this piqued by interest. If she could grow up with just an ounce of the simple love and faith of St. Thérèse, I will be very blessed as a father.
Here is also a new version of the autobiography St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul. It includes a workbook and study guide for prayer and study groups, as well as lots of photographs of St. Thérèse.I read the following passage, not just to enliven my own faith, but to enliven my children's, as well. Note how St. Thérèse's sister Pauline encourages her in her devotion to the Holy Child Jesus.
St. Thérèse's First Confession
Here is the passage from The Story of a Soul about St. Thérèse's First Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Well instructed as to what I was to do, I entered the confessional, and turning round to the priest, so as to see him better, I made my confession and received absolution in a spirit of lively faith—my sister having assured me that at this solemn moment the tears of the Holy Child Jesus would purify my soul. I remember well that he exhorted me above all to a tender devotion towards Our Lady, and I promised to redouble my love for her who already filled so large a place in my heart. Then I passed him my Rosary to be blessed, and came out of the Confessional more joyful and lighthearted than I had ever felt before. It was evening, and as soon as I got to a street lamp I stopped and took the newly blessed Rosary out of my pocket, turning it over and over. “What are you looking at, Thérèse, dear?” asked Pauline. “I am seeing what a blessed Rosary looks like.”
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