ad been helped by special graces,
whilst on this day Jesus left me to myself, and I soon showed my
weakness.

Eight days after I had taken the veil my cousin, Jeanne Guerin,
was married to Dr. La Neele. When she came to see us afterwards
and I heard of all the little attentions she lavished on her
husband, my heart thrilled and I thought: "It shall never be said
that a woman in the world does more for her husband than I do for
Jesus, my Beloved." And, filled with fresh ardour, I set myself
more earnestly than ever to please my Heavenly Spouse, the King of
Kings, Who had deigned to honour me by a divine alliance.

Having seen the letter announcing the marriage, I amused myself by
composing the following invitation, which I read to the novices in
order to bring home to them what had struck me so forcibly--that
the glory of all earthly unions is as nothing compared to the
titles of a Spouse of Our Divine Lord.

"God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Sovereign Ruler of the
Universe, and the Glorious Virgin Mary, Queen of the Heavenly
Court, announce to you the Spiritual Espousals of their August
Son, Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with little Therese
Martin, now Princess and Lady of His Kingdoms of the Holy
Childhood and the Passion, assigned to her as a dowry, by her
Divine Spouse, from which Kingdoms she holds her titles of
nobility--_of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face._ It was not
possible to invite you to the Wedding Feast which took place on
the Mountain of Carmel, September 8, 1890--the Heavenly Court was
alone admitted--but you are requested to be present at the Wedding
Feast which will take place to-morrow, the day of Eternity, when
Jesus, the Son of God, will come in the clouds of Heaven, in the
splendour of His Majesty, to judge the living and the dead.

"The hour being still uncertain, you are asked to hold yourselves
in readiness and watch."[3]

And now, Mother, what more shall I say? It was through your hands
that I gave myself to Our Lord, and you have known me from
childhood--need I write my secrets? Forgive me if I cut short the
story of my religious life.

During the general retreat following my profession I received
great graces. As a rule I find preached retreats most trying, but
this one was quite an exception. I anticipated so much suffering
that I prepared myself by a fervent novena. It was said that the
good Priest understood better how to convert sinners than to
direct th