Min spite of the death of Mother Hermance before the opening of the Trial, we have some testimonies about Thérèse.
A first appreciation of Thérèse by Mother Hermance relates to the devotion, uncommon in the Carmel of that time, of the young Thérèse for Saint John of the Cross. Mother Hermance of the Heart of Jesus confided to Mother Agnès: “Is it possible that a child of 17 understands these things and talks about them in such a way! It's wonderful, I can't believe it! »
Sister Geneviève for her part testified at the Apostolic Process: "Mother Hermance of the Heart of Jesus had great esteem for her and during Sister Thérèse's illness, as I approached her at all times in my capacity as a nurse, she passed me without cease her oral commissions where I could judge of the high opinion she had of her virtue. »
A friendship united old Mother Hermance and Thérèse. During Thérèse's last illness, the life of Saint Louis de Gonzague was read in the refectory, and Mother Hermance was struck by the friendship which united the young saint to an elderly father from his community, Father Corbinelli: "It is you little Louis, she said to Therese, and I am old Father Corbinelli; when you are in heaven, remember me!”
“Would you like, Mother, for me to come and fetch you soon?
'No, not yet, I haven't suffered enough.
— O my Mother, I tell you that you have suffered quite enough! ... »
And Mother Coeur de Jesus, like a good Carmelite, replied: “I still don't dare to say yes to you... For such a serious thing, we need the sanction of authority. Now, in the last days of Thérèse's earthly life, Mother Hermance sent her a bouquet of flowers through the nurse and Thérèse had her say in thanks: "Tell Mother Hermance of the Heart of Jesus that this morning, during the mass, I saw the tomb of Father Corbinelli very close to that of little Louis". "That's good, replied the old one, tell Sister Thérèse that I have understood!" And indeed, the two graves will be side by side in the cemetery of Lisieux, as evidenced by this old photo.
