On the evening of September 30, 1897, a group of Carmelite nuns gathered in the convent infirmary to witness the final moments of one of their own. “For more than two hours, a terrible rattle tore her chest,” wrote one sister present that night. “Her face was blue, her hands were purplish, her feet were cold, and she trembled throughout her body. Perspiration formed large droplets on her forehead and rolled down her cheeks. Her breathing difficulties intensified, accompanied by involuntary cries.” The scene was heart-wrenching, leaving the sisters to watch in silent agony as her last breaths escaped her frail lungs. Suddenly, she clutched the crucifix with her remaining strength, gazing intently at the image of the crucified Christ, and cried out her final declaration of praise: “My God, I love you!” With that, she passed away, her head falling back against the pillow.

The individual in question was none other than St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Her last words epitomized her life’s mission: to love God “with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength”, as we hear Jesus tell us in today’s Gospel passage. These simple, “My God, I love you!” yet profound words encapsulate her entire doctrine and interpretation of the Gospel. The act of love expressed in her final breath represented the continuous essence of her soul and the rhythm of her heart. Her life was dedicated to a fervent pursuit of God through acts of love manifested even in the smallest gestures. Pope John Paul II, in his apostolic letter Novo Millennio Ineunte, referred to her as an “expert in the scientia amoris” (Science of Love).

St. Thérèse’s life story has captivated people worldwide, with her autobiography published in eighty-nine editions and available in over sixty languages. In France, The Story of a Soul ranks second only to the Holy Bible in terms of distribution. The widespread appeal of the Little Way over the past century can largely be attributed to its profound simplicity and applicability. One does not need to retreat to the isolation of the Egyptian desert, as the Desert Fathers did, nor reside within the cloistered walls of a medieval monastery to embrace her spirituality. It is not necessary to practice radical poverty, as exemplified by St. Francis and St. Clare, or to traverse the countryside preaching Christ’s message like St. Dominic and his early followers. Furthermore, a towering intellect, akin to that of St. Augustine or St. Anselm, is not required to grasp its depths. All that St. Thérèse asks is a genuine willingness to love God in all aspects of life. This love can be expressed anywhere—within the confines of a convent, on mission fields, within families, in workplaces, and across different eras.

As the name suggests, the Little Way does not demand grand gestures or heroic deeds. It can be practiced in the ordinary circumstances of daily life, regardless of the unique vocation each individual is called to pursue. The spirituality of the Little Way is not merely a single, direct path to sanctity; rather, it consists of vital components united by a singular motivation. Just as a grand orchestra is composed of numerous musicians, the Little Way is centered around love as its fundamental theme.

When we love in this manner, we embody the love of Jesus Christ. The saints we celebrated just a few days ago on the Solemnity of All Saints shows us that we too can love Jesus like they did.