Story of a Soul – Parish Reading Edition (2025)

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus

A Parish Resource for Prayer, Study, and Spiritual Renewal

For generations, The Story of a Soul has helped countless Christians rediscover the simplicity, confidence, and humility at the heart of the Gospel. St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus—Doctor of the Church, Carmelite nun, and beloved patroness of our parish—offers in this autobiography an intimate glimpse into her “Little Way” of trust and love.

This parish digital edition is offered to help parishioners, ministries, and families deepen devotion to St. Thérèse and grow in the spiritual childhood she so perfectly embodied. Whether read privately, studied in a group, or prayerfully listened to through the accompanying audio selections, we hope this resource becomes a companion on your journey of holiness.

About This Parish Edition

This 2025 Parish Edition of The Story of a Soul is prepared from the public-domain English text originally published in 1912 and reissued in 1922 by Rev. T. N. Taylor. It preserves the historical devotional character of the earliest authorized English translation while updating some formatting for modern readability.

The edition includes:

• The 1922 Preface by Cardinal Bourne

• The original Introduction by Rev. T. N. Taylor

• Full, unabridged text of St. Thérèse’s autobiography

• Clean modern typesetting for digital and print use

• Integrated chapter navigation for ease of reading

• Audio recordings to accompany the text for prayer, study, or meditation

All text remains in the public domain and may be freely shared for personal, educational, or parish use.

Download & Listen

Use the links below to access the parish reading edition and the accompanying audio files.

Download the Full PDF version of "Story of a Soul."

How to Use This Resource

• Spiritual reading: Read one chapter a day as part of morning or evening prayer.

• Small groups: Use for book studies, prayer groups, or faith formation.

• Family devotion: Read selections aloud and reflect together.

• Personal retreat: Pair reading with Adoration or journaling.

• Catechesis: Teachers, catechists, and ministry leaders may freely use it in classes and retreats.

A Prayer to St. Thérèse

*St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus,
teach us your Little Way of trust and love.
Obtain for us the grace of confidence in the Father’s mercy,
humility in our daily duties,
and a heart burning with love for Jesus.

Little Flower, help our parish walk in holiness
and glorify God in all things. Amen.*