St. Therese of Lisieux

Popularly known as the Little Flower of Jesus, Therese Martin was born January 2, 1873 and died of tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four on September 30, 1897. Raised in a loving, devout family Therese early experienced sorrow; her mother died when Therese was only four and her two older sisters, Pauline and Marie helped their father raise her. Therese entered the Carmelite order at age fifteen, after a determined struggle to be admitted at such a young age; she even journeyed to Rome with her father to ask Pope Leo XIII for permission to enter. Story of a Soul, the memoir she wrote at the request of her older sister Pauline (Mother Agnes of Jesus), was published after her death and quickly spread the name of this unknown young nun around the world. Readers were drawn to Therese’s Little Way—showing love for God and neighbor through small acts of kindness and complete trust in Jesus; Pope Pius XII describe the Little Way as "the very heart of the gospel." Numerous miracles were soon reported through her intercession and many were accompanied by the sign of roses. Mother Teresa of Calcutta took her name in religion in honor of Therese. In 1997, Pope John Paul II named Therese a Doctor of the Church, only the third woman to be so honored. St. Therese of Lisieux's feast day is October 1. Her parents, Louis and Zelie Martin have been beatified.