The Desire for Religious Life

This statue is found in the back garden of Les Buissonnets, the house at Lisieux where Thérèse and her family lived. It depicts Thérèse asking her father for permission to enter Carmel at the age of 15, and stands in the very garden where her request was made on this day in 1887. He agreed, though it must have been difficult parting with his daughter; two had already entered the Carmel and his wife had died eleven years earlier. During the visit of the relics of St Thérèse in September there will be information about vocations to the priesthood and religious life: it could be a great opportunity for those whom God is calling to this commitment.