Chapter 26, The Statue of the Virgin Summary

Antoinette has less than a week to live. Thérèse lies face down on her bedroom floor, her body in the shape of a cross. She prays and concentrates on the last four things listed in the catechism: death, judgement, heaven, and hell. Every day, Thérèse makes small tasks more painful and difficult. As Thérèse performs these acts of self-sacrifice, she sometimes looks up at the statue of Our Lady with the figure of Little Bernadette praying at her feet. Thérèse knows that the girl's visions led others to Our Lady. Thérèse feels that her thoughts are off-track, and she bangs her head against the floor. Madeleine appears at the door and looks in...