December 31, 1889
My beloved Celina,
you have my last farewell of this year!... In a few hours it will pass forever... it will be in eternity!...
Since my Celina is already sleeping (1), I must follow her to wish her a happy new year...
Do you remember the past?... The year that just passed was good, yes, it was precious to heaven, may the one that follows it be similar!...
Celina, I am not surprised that you are in bed after such a year; on the last day, like that one, there is reason to rest...! Do you understand?... Perhaps, the year that begins will be the last!!! Oh, let us use, let us take advantage even of the briefest moments, let us act like misers. Let us be jealous of the smallest things for the Beloved!... Our last day of the year is very sad this year... with a heart full of memories I will stay awake and wait for midnight... I remember everything... now we are orphans (2), but we can say with love “Our Father, who art in heaven”. Yes, we still have one last everything of our souls!...
Another year has passed!... Celina, it has passed, it has passed, it will never return; just as this year has gone by, so will our life, and soon we will say: “It’s gone”. Let us not waste our time, soon eternity will shine upon us again!... Celina, if you wish, let us turn our souls, this year we must gain many priests who can love Jesus!... who would touch Him as gently as Maria touched Him in His cradle!...
Your little sister Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face
(1) Therese writes in the morning before the vigil from eleven to midnight, which the Carmelites spent with the Blessed Sacrament on New Year's Eve.
(2) Communication between Mr. Martin and his daughters is almost impossible due to his mental state.
(Letters of Therese of Lisieux)
