Therese and Celine accompany their father on a pilgrimage to Rome. Being in contact with the “very soil that the Apostles trod, the soil bedewed with Martyrs’ blood” made Therese’s soul grow strong, while the company of many wealthy pilgrims made her realize that “real nobility is in the soul, not in a name.”

Therese discovered the aim of the Carmelite Reform in praying for priests, “to preserve the salt of the earth…what a noble task!” Until then, Therese had felt happy to pray for sinners, but was confused about praying for priests. On her trip she met many holy priests, and discovered them still subject to human weakness.

At the shrine of Our Lady of Victories Therese felt the peace and happiness of her First Communion and, regarding the miraculous cure of her illness, “Mary my Mother made it quite clear to me that it really was she who had smiled on me and cured me.” She prayed that she “keep me from all occasion of sin” and provide Therese, "her mantle of virginity.”