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 ? And I wonder why I did not rejoice in pain!

(2) —St. Therese's life of prayer centered in very great measure about the Blessed Virgin Mary and through her, the "Cause of our Joy," she obtained the strength to suffer with joy. There is a charming ease and simplicity about her devotion to our Blessed Mother, making it as imitable as it is admirable. She was simply a "little child" of Mary. Just as a little child often thinks of its mother, goes to her with confidence in every need and danger, does all it can to please her and give her joy, and especially delights in trying to imitate her in everything, so St. Therese did with regard to her heavenly Mother.

Being so fired with trustful love, it was but natural that she should turn to Mary, especially in her sufferings. Reflecting on the deep sorrows of the Mother of God, she reasoned thus:

Since the King of Heaven hath willed His Mother dear, The night of faith, heart's anguish to endure, It must be good to suffer, to taste the cup of sorrow here; Yea, here to love and suffer is happiness most pure."

This also made her feel that Mary's motherly heart was filled with tender compassion for her children's suffering, and so in her anguish she pleaded: "Mother, let my tired spirit rest beneath thy veil." When she was in such pain that she could no longer pray as she was formerly wont to do, she said: "I can only look at Mary and say, 'Jesus.'" And speaking of her last night on earth: "Oh, with what fervor I have prayed to her! And yet it was pure agony. Utterly exhausted, I asked Our Rady to take my head into her hands, that I might be able to bear it…." With good reason she could conclude the last poem she penned upon this earth:

I fear no more thy majesty so far removed above me, For I have suffered sore with thee; now hear me, Mother mild,