Professor: Fr. Joseph Spence, FFm
Justification: Although Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873-1897) and Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity (1880-1906) never met, they shared many characteristics: the same native land, the same time period, and the same vocation to Carmel. A comparison of their spiritual experience and writings comes naturally and provides for “pleasant surprises and unexpected fruits”, as Balthasar wrote.
Goals: Provide an initial knowledge of the two Saints’ spiritual experience and doctrine; offer a method for the critical analysis of theological texts, in particular those of the two Saints; increase the students’ capacity of dialoguing in theological terms, as well as their reasoning abilities and group-working skills as an “academic community”.
Content: After two introductory lectures on St. Thérèse and St. Elizabeth, we will examine various theological themes that permeate both of the Saints’ experience and writings: that is, Thérèse’s influence on Elizabeth: The “Little Way”; Trinitarian indwelling; Marian Spirituality; Fraternal Ties and Charity; Journey toward Union with God; Intercession for Priests; The Power of Prayer; Spiritual Motherhood; “Passion” and Death; Heaven.
Method: The first hour of each lesson will be dedicated to a lecture on the chosen themes above, common to both Saints. During the second hour, we will read together and discuss – with the help of a questionnaire – 3 brief texts of the two Saints (about 6 pages in all) that regard the chosen theme of that lesson. Priorly, from week to week, the students will receive a PDF with the 3 brief texts chosen from the two Saints’ writings, together with the questionnaire to guide their personal reading and study of the texts.
Criteria for evaluation: The usual examination modality will be that of an oral exam (10-15 minutes); a written paper (not more than 7-10 pages) may be prepared, in alternative to the oral exam, upon request.
Time distribution: 24 hours of classroom lectures and discussion; about 25 hours of personal study; about 26 hours of personal study for the oral exam (or written paper), for a sum total of 75 hours of study time.
Essential bibliography:
- Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Story of a Soul: Study Edition; Letters of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. General Correspondence, Volume I (1877-1890) and Volume II (1890-1897); The Poetry of St. Thérèse of Lisieux; The Plays of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. “Pious Recreations”; The Prayers of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. The Act of Oblation; Her Last Conversations, (M. Foley – J. Clarke et al.), ICS Publications, Washington, D.C. 1977-2014.
- Gaucher, G., Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: The Story of a Life, Ignatius Press, San Francisco, CA 20202.
- O’Mahony, C., St. Thérèse of Lisieux by those who knew her. Testimonies from the Process of Beatification, Veritas Publications 1989.
- Elizabeth of the Trinity, I Have Found God. Complete Works (Volumes I and II) – General Introduction, Major Spiritual Writings; Letters from Carmel, ICS Publications, Washington, D.C. 1984 and 20142.
- Joanne Mosley, Elizabeth of the Trinity. The Unfolding of her Message (Volumes I and II) – In the World and In Community; In the Infirmary and After her Death, Teresian Press, Oxford 2012.
- Elizabeth of the Trinity, The Praise of Glory. Reminiscences of Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity, a Carmelite Nun of Dijon, 1901-1906, (Scholar Select), Wentworth Press, London 2019.