Day 9 of 80

The Table of Sinners

Chapter IX·Manuscript C·Darkness & Faith
Context
At the table of sinners, Thérèse offered to share in the darkness of those who do not believe — not as punishment, but as solidarity. She ate the 'bread of tears' so that others might find their way to the light.

O my God, if that table which they profane can be purified by one that loves Thee, I am willing to remain there alone to eat the bread of tears, until it shall please Thee to bring me to Thy Kingdom of Light: the only favour I ask is, that I may never give Thee cause for offence.

Our Lord made me understand that there really are in truth souls bereft of Faith and Hope, who, through abuse of grace, lose these precious treasures. He allowed my soul to be overwhelmed with darkness, and the thought of Heaven, which had consoled me from my earliest childhood, now became a subject of conflict and torture.

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