Little Therese died on September 30, 1897 at 7:20 in the evening, after a prolonged agony. From Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face (Celine) book, My Sister, St. Therese; Celine wrote:
Once in the infirmary - just a few days ago (1897) in fact...I had been going to and fro in the Infirmary, and became upset because something had gone wrong. Therese called, "Bo-bonne, no interior anxiety if you please!" (September 3) I can almost hear her say that. Therese always knows when something is wrong. Her death reminds me so much of the death of love Our Lord suffered... today she cries out:"Oh! It is pure suffering, because there is not a drop of consolation, no, not one." No, I would never have believed that it was possible to suffer so much... never, never. I can only explain it by my extreme desire to save souls." (September 30)Celine continued:"She was trembling from head to foot..."At one point she told Celine, "Va, va, ma Celine, je serais avec toi..." "Go on with courage... I shall be with you."(Read more.)
Finally, gazing on her crucifix, Little Therese cried out:
"Oh!... Je L'aime!... Mon Dieu, je... vous... aime!" "Oh! ...I love Him! ...My God, I ...love ...you!"
Rooted in the Past
55 minutes ago