ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER
POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO THE PERFORMERS AND AUDIENCE
AT A PLAY ABOUT THE LIFE OF
St THÉRÈSE OF THE CHILD JESUS

Sunday, 23 August 1998

Dear Friends,

First of all I greet and thank the three performers in the play about Thérèse of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face, Doctor of the Church, as well as those who helped to produce it. They give us the opportunity to meditate on the work of the saint of Lisieux, teacher of the spiritual life and patronness of the missions. Thérèse herself appreciated the theatre and poetry, thus passing down her divine Saviour’s message throughout her life, desiring “nothing but the honour and glory of our Lord” (La mission de Jean d’Arc, 10rº).

I am delighted that she who spent her life in the seclusion of her Carmel should be increasingly known and continue to point out the way of the Lord, thanks to her spiritual maturity and the reliability of her teaching. I hope that, through art, many persons may have the good fortune, by following the little Carmelite, to discover the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and to be attracted by him, to love him with all their heart, for “love attracts love” (Manuscrit C, 34vº), and to live the Gospel every day and serve their brothers and sisters.

I also greet everyone who has attended this performance, especially the Abbot and Fathers of the St Victor Congregation of the Confederation of Canons Regular of St Augustine. I invite you all constantly to make the act of offering to merciful love, like Thérèse, desiring, despite human weakness, to love God and to make him loved, by humbly putting yourselves into his hands like small children, to do his will daily. I wholeheartedly grant my Apostolic Blessing to you all.