Incredible photos of Saint Therese of Lisieux taken by her sister, Celine

There is something very quietening and meditative about looking at these images…

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Everyone loves Saint Therese of Lisieux (and she makes quite an impression on the heroine of our serialized novel, Rachel’s Contrition, too!). These photos of a saint so particularly beloved were taken from the camera of her sister, Celine, and they include images of all of the Martin sisters in the Lisieux Carmel, and Mother Gonzaga, as well!

Incredible photos of Saint Therese of Lisieux taken by her sister, Celine

mourningdove~ said:

How interesting. Thanks for posting them.

I especially like the photo of Therese (in street clothes), where she is holding a flag.
Fascinating ...

(And the photo of her ... chained to the wall (in the same street clothes)? Most unusual ...
I wonder what is the story behind that photo?)

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I think that was when she was in a play depicting St. Joan of Arc.

St. Joan of Arc. St. Thérèse was a very accomplished writer who used her talent to honor Saint Joan with several poems and a play (Read Play Here). Below are several photographs taken of St. Thérèse dressed as Saint Joan for her play that was performed on January 21, 1895.







To Joan of Arc
When the Lord God of hosts gave you the victory,
You drove out the foreigner and had the king crowned.
Joan, your name became renowned in history.
Our greatest conquerors paled before you.

But that was only a fleeting glory.
Your name needed a Saint's halo.
So the Beloved offered you His bitter cup,
And, like Him, you were spurned by men.

At the bottom of a black dungeon, laden with heavy chains,
The cruel foreigner filled you with grief.
Not one of your friends took part in your pain.
Not one came forward to wipe your tears.

Joan, in your dark prison you seem to me
More radiant, more beautiful than at your King's coronation.
This heavenly reflection of eternal glory,
Who then brought it upon you? It was betrayal.

Ah! If the God of love in this valley of tears
Had not come to seek betrayal and death,
Suffering would hold no attraction for us.
Now we love it; it is our treasure.


St. Thérèse wrote the following poem in support of the Canonization of Saint Joan of Arc on May 8, 1894. For more information about either of these poems visit the St. Joan of Arc Center


Canticle To Obtain The Canonization Of The Venerable Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc Blog about St Therese Photograph

Saint Therese and Saint Joan of Arc