Photos of those who knew Therese > Photo Album of those who knew St. Therese at Lisieux > Canon Jean-Baptiste Delatroette, parish priest of St. Jacques

1818-1895.  Canon Delatroette was pastor of St. Jacques and priest-superior of the Lisieux Carmel from 1867-1895.  He opposed Therese's entrance because he thought she was too young.  At the small entrance ceremony on April 9, 1888, he said "Well, my Reverend Mothers, you can sing a Te Deum.  As the delegate of Monseigneur the bishop, I present to you this child of fifteen whose entrance you so much desired.  I trust that she will not disappoint your hopes, but I remind you that, if she does, the responsibility is yours, and yours alone."  Later, however, he was impressed by Therese's way of living in Carmel, and he said "She shows great promise for this community."