St. Thérèse of Lisieux

St. Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897), also known as St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, was a French Carmelite nun whose hidden life of prayer and sacrifice became a beacon for souls seeking holiness through simplicity and love. Born in Alençon, France, she entered the Carmelite convent of Lisieux at just fifteen years old, determined to offer her life entirely to God. Despite her short life of only twenty-four years, her profound trust in God’s mercy and her ardent love for Our Lord made her one of the most beloved saints of modern times.

Thérèse’s “little way” teaches that holiness is not achieved through great deeds, but by performing small, everyday actions with great love and humility. Her spiritual writings, particularly her autobiography Story of a Soul, reveal her childlike trust in God, her deep understanding of divine love, and her unwavering desire to save souls through prayer and sacrifice. She embraced even the smallest sufferings with joy, seeing them as opportunities to grow closer to Christ and offer Him hidden acts of love.

Canonized in 1925, St. Thérèse is known as “The Little Flower,” and is often depicted holding roses, a sign of her promise to “spend her heaven doing good on earth” and showering roses of grace upon those who seek her intercession. Her feast day is celebrated on October 1st, and her example continues to inspire countless souls to seek sanctity in the ordinary duties of daily life.