Day 49 of 80

A Sweet, Distant Murmur

Chapter IX·Manuscript C·Death & Heaven
Context
Good Friday, 1896. Thérèse coughed blood for the first time — the first sign of the tuberculosis that would kill her. Her response was pure joy: she believed Jesus was calling her home. She slept in peace, waited until morning to check, and called it 'good news.'

Scarcely was my head laid on the pillow when I felt a hot stream rise to my lips. I thought I was going to die, and my heart nearly broke with joy. But as I had already put out our lamp, I mortified my curiosity until the morning and slept in peace.

At five o'clock, when it was time to get up, I remembered at once that I had some good news to learn, and going to the window I found, as I had expected, that our handkerchief was soaked with blood. Dearest Mother, what hope was mine! I was firmly convinced that on this anniversary of His Death, my Beloved had allowed me to hear His first call, like a sweet, distant murmur, heralding His joyful approach.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux — Story of a Soul, Chapter IX (Manuscript C). Taylor translation, 1912 (public domain).
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