The Carmelite monastery where St. Therese of Lisieux lived and died, which has digitized its magnificent archives and placed them on the Web for all to see, has published its archives in English.
For the first time in history, the complete text of the English translation of the ICS Publications edition of Story of a Soul, St. Therese's classic memoir, is on the Web for all to read for free. Read the English translation of Story of a Soul here. This edition is the only published English translation made directly from Therese's original manuscripts. All the English translations online before now were translations of inauthentic manuscripts, heavily edited and very different from the manuscripts as they left the pen of Therese. Next to each typewritten page is the image of that page in Therese's handwriting.
The hard copy of this edition, translated by Fr. John Clarke, O.C.D., contains many features not available online: an introduction and epilogue which put the manuscripts, written for her intimates, in context; a chronology; an index; a bibliography; and readable, informative footnotes. If you do not own it, it is a most worthwhile purchase. Order Story of a Soul.
The resources of the English section of the Archives go far beyond Story of a Soul. From your own computer, you can see St. Therese's life and environment in its minutest detail: her handwritten manuscripts; hundreds of photographs and documents rich in information about her milieu, her family, and her sister Carmelites; and much more. Visit the English section of the Lisieux Carmel Archives. Please return regularly; more than 30% of the site is now in English, and new English sections appear often.
Please join me in thanking and congratulating the Lisieux Carmel and the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars, together with their translators and collaborators and all who have contributed to create this extraordinary opportunity. May it create a global conversation about St. Therese which will draw many to Merciful Love.