The Little Way of the Middle Ages

When St. Thérèse boldly wrote of her Little Way, she heralded it as a “new way”—something distinct from the arduous paths of old. Her doctrine of spiritual childhood is indeed fresh in its inspiration and expression, springing forth from the unrepeatable soul of one who carved out her spirituality against the tides of Jansenism threatening France. Her writings also represent an uncommon synthesis of spiritual childhood in light of grace. Nevertheless, when her teachings are understood apart from Christian history and thought altogether novel, one misinterprets both.