# Conversation with Jesus in the Tabernacle
*2008-04-10*

> Bill Young introduces St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s evening prayer “Conversation with Jesus in the Tabernacle,” explaining its imagery of the soul as a sick person seeking the Doctor, and then recites the prayer.

## Introducing the Prayer

Hi, this is Bill Young and welcome to episode 68 of Catholic Podcast Ministries, Prayer and Lunch. Today’s prayer is called “Conversation with Jesus in the Tabernacle,” written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux. It is traditionally an evening prayer, said before going to bed, but it can be prayed at any time.

## The Image of the Soul as a Patient

St. Thérèse uses the image of a sick person going to a doctor to illustrate how our soul comes to Jesus, the Divine Spouse, who came to forgive our sins. Just as a patient seeks healing, we turn to Christ for spiritual cure.

## The Prayer

“O God, hidden in the tabernacle, in delight, I return to you every evening to thank you for the graces you have given me and to implore your pardon for my failings committed during this day, which is slipping away like a dream.

O Jesus, how happy I would be if I had been faithful! Yet I am often sad in the evening because I feel I could have responded better to your grace. Still, far from being discouraged by my unworthiness, I come to you with trust, reminding myself that it is not the healthy who need the doctor, but the sick.

I beseech you to hear me, to forgive me, and I remember, Lord, that the soul you have forgiven more must love you more than others. I offer you all my heartbreaks together with many other acts of love, uniting them to your infinite merits.

I ask earnestly, O my Divine Spouse, that you may be the doctor of my soul, working in me despite my resistance, because I desire no will other than yours. With the help of your grace tomorrow, I will begin anew, living each moment as an act of love and renunciation. Amen.”

## Closing Blessing

God bless you all.

*St. Thérèse reminds us that, like a sick patient, we must continually turn to Jesus, the true Doctor of our souls, trusting in His mercy and love.*