Title: I Thirst: Therese of Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta  Author: Jacques Gauthier  Translator: Alexandra Plettenberg-Serban  ISBN: 0-8189-0973-0  Paperback: xxiv + 101 pp.  Price: $14.95 + shipping  To Order call: 1 800-343-ALBA (2522) Please have your American Express, Master or Visa card ready. To order online click here.

The heartfelt bond between Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta can be traced to their common interest in assuaging the thirst of Christ on the Cross. Not only their thirst for Jesus, but Jesus' thirst for them, for us. Their profound resemblance to one another is to be found in their unalterable desire to slake the thirst of Christ, to console Him in the face of the indifference of so many people, to quench His thirst for love, to love Him in others and letting them be loved by Him. They did so by opening up the floodgates of tenderness which had prevented the love in His heart from being welcomed as it ought. The cry of Jesus, mentioned countless times in their writings, was a determining factor in each of their lives. The words, 'I Thirst,' are to be found side by side with the Crucifix in all the houses of the Missionaries of Charity, and the photograph of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions, is never far away. Saint Thérèse and Mother Teresa are like two mirrors mutually reflecting the compassion of Christ. These two witnesses, making use of the 'little way' of confidence and surrender accessible to all, were chosen by God to reveal to us His thirst for love."

 

Jacques Gauthier, Professor of Theology at St. Paul University Ottawa/Canada has over twenty-five books to his credit. In the course of his lifetime he has grown into an ever deeper relationship with St. Thérèse of Lisieux and has written five books just about her. Today he is widely known throughout Canada and in France for his conferences and teachings on radio and television. Reviews Here is a beautiful book about two remarkable women--one from the end of the nineteenth century and one from the latter part of the twentieth century--who outwardly appeared to be quite different in temperament and vocation yet held nearly identical internal spiritualities. Initially the book introduces us to the spirituality of Saint Thérèse, a contemplative nun who died at the age of twenty-four. It then gives us a glimpse of Mother Teresa's long life--a life spent living and working among the poor in the streets of Calcutta and around the world. Ironically, their motivations came from the same source: Christ's thirst for love and for souls. Almost everyone today admires Mother Teresa. While Thérèse of Lisieux is currently very popular also, I must confess that I have never read much about her. She is a Doctor of the Church, yet her spirituality was very simple. This book makes her "little way" very easy to comprehend. Translations of her letters into modern-day English help contribute to her appeal. The remainder of the book takes us into the heart of each of these inspiring women and the driving force behind their love for God and service to others. Both became hooked by Christ's plea from the cross, "I thirst." Realizing that his thirst was for our love and for the love of all souls, the following chapters examine how these humble nuns attempted to quench that thirst in the way each lived her life. When I first picked up this book, I thought it might be a little boring, but I was pleasantly surprised. The book shows in a very intriguing way how these two women sought to respond to their unique calling from God. The author uses several quotes and selections from their writings throughout the text. The relationship with God shared by these famous nuns is very inspiring, and this book has had an impact on my personal spirituality. It is a great book for all devotees of either Saint Thérèse or Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. Everyone walking any kind of spiritual path will also find it uplifting. --David Werthmann in Liguorian, October 2005 I Thirst: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Jacques Gauthier, translated by Alexandra Plettenberg-Serban, explores the commonalities in these holy women. Both believed they were called to relieve the thirst of Jesus on the Cross. --St. Anthony Messenger, September 2005 The author is a widely known French-Canadian theologian who is an expert on St. Thérèse of Lisieux, having written several books about her. This book is about what Gauthier sees as a striking commonality in the spirituality of these two blessed women. The author shows how both Thérèse and Mother Teresa intuitively understood that the Lord's desire to be loved by His people has its origin in the mystery of the thirst of Jesus. The metaphor or imagery of thirst appears to be the common foundation for much of the spiritual writings of both. While Gauthier prepared in 2002 and 2003 for a series of conferences on St. Thérèse, news circulated about the beatification of Mother Teresa. On that same day six years earlier, St. Thérèse was proclaimed to be a Doctor of the Church -- a title reserved for only the most significant spiritual writers and theologians. Gauthier felt inspired to write about the two women. In his reading and research he uncovered a common theme -- the thirst of Jesus for our love. In his introduction Gauthier expands upon this theme by looking at its source in Scriptures. The main text of Gauthier's book looks more closely at the writings of Thérèse and Teresa -- uncovering this theme over and over again. The material he offers is a summary of their thought and writings viewed from the reference point of the "I Thirst" theme. The several appendices give us complete reprints of some of the most popular and significant writings of St. Thérèse, "An act of oblation to merciful love," and Mother Teresa's "Spiritual Testament" and the prayer, "Lord, when I am hungry." Both the uninitiated and lovers of Teresian spirituality will find this little book of interest. --Arnold Rzepecki in Catholic Library World, September 2005 Top of Page