Transitus of St. Therese.

Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
.

Little Therese died on September 30, 1897 at 7:20 in the evening, after a prolonged agony. I have been reading Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face (Celine) book, My Sister, St. Therese for my novena in preparation for the saint's feast day tomorrow. Celine was a real artist - an accomplished painter, and I think I understand her temperament. Little Therese always told her, "You are too little... to understand... or to do this or that..." and so on. I get that.

.

Once in the infirmary - just a few days ago (1897) in fact, Celine relates:

.

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 dying 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 says, "She was trembling from head to foot..."

.

At one point she told Celine, "Va, va, ma Celine, je serais avec tois..." "Go on with courage... I shall be with you."

.

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!"

.

These were her last words.